Manager, Research & Development - Sweet Goods & Icing

Job Description

Summary

The Manager, Research & Development will lead product development and innovation initiatives across sweet goods categories, with a primary focus on icings for cakes and donuts. This role will oversee the development, improvement, scale-up, and commercialization of products that meet customer expectations, manufacturing capabilities, quality standards, and business objectives.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical bakery expertise, project leadership experience, and hands-on knowledge of cakes, donuts, icings, glazes, fillings, and related applications. Experience in confectionery product development is preferred and considered a strong asset.

What FGF Offers

• FGF believes in Home Grown Talent, accelerated career growth with leadership training. Unleashing Your Potential
• Competitive Compensation, Health Benefits, & a generous flexible medical / Health spending account
• RRSP matching program
• Tuition reimbursement and employee bonus program
• Discount program that covers almost everything under the sun - Restaurants, gyms, shopping etc.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development and commercialization of icings, glazes, fillings, frostings, and other finishing applications for cakes, donuts, and additional sweet goods.
• Manage new product development and product-improvement projects from initial concept through plant scale-up and commercialization.
• Develop and execute project plans, including timelines, priorities, technical requirements, testing protocols, and commercialization activities.
• Evaluate ingredients and technologies related to icing performance, including texture, viscosity, stability, adhesion, appearance, flavour, shelf life, and application.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing products through formulation optimization, ingredient substitutions, process improvements, and cost reduction.
• Provide technical leadership during benchtop testing, product trials, plant trials, first production runs, and commercialization.
• Ensure product specifications are complete and accurate, including product characteristics, costs, measurements, ingredients, processing parameters, case pack, and distribution requirements.
• Oversee customer sample requests and the preparation of sample boards and product presentations.
• Partner with team members to prepare development samples according to specifications, including mixing, baking, finishing, decorating, packaging, and shipping.
• Conduct production and packaging line reviews to ensure quality, consistency, food safety, and product standards are maintained.
• Lead and participate in sensory evaluations focused on taste, texture, appearance, application, stability, and freshness.
• Ensure all products comply with regulatory requirements, including ingredient declarations, allergen statements, labelling, and supplier documentation.
• Work directly with customers to understand product-development needs, present solutions, and address technical inquiries.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Marketing, Sales, and external suppliers.
• Support continuous-improvement initiatives related to product quality, production efficiency, cost optimization, and manufacturing capability.
• Monitor project progress, communicate risks and priorities, and provide regular updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related field, or a Culinary Diploma/Certification in Baking and Pastry Arts.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in bakery product development, pastry, or food manufacturing. 
• Previous experience leading R&D projects and providing direction, coaching, or mentorship to technical team members.
• Strong hands-on experience developing and manufacturing cakes, yeast donuts, and cake donuts.
• Demonstrated expertise in the development and application of icings, glazes, fillings, frostings, or other sweet-good finishing systems.
• Experience with confectionery products, ingredients, or manufacturing processes is preferred and considered a strong asset.
• Proven experience managing products from concept and formulation through plant scale-up and commercialization.
• Strong knowledge of ingredient functionality, formulation principles, processing parameters, product shelf life, and industrial bakery operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. 
• Flexibility to work early mornings or alternative schedules as required to support production trials and commercialization.
• Willingness to travel to the US and within the Toronto GTA as needed. 
• Valid Ontario G driver’s licence and access to a vehicle is required.

What is the recipe for a great career at FGF?Working at FGF Brands, there is never a dull moment! As a successful company that is continually growing there is always challenging yet rewarding work to be a part of. We have an entrepreneurial spirit which encourages all our team members to use their own creativity and out of the box thinking to come up with solutions and new ideas.Disclaimer: The above describes the general responsibilities, required knowledge and skills. Please keep in mind that other duties may be added or this description may be amended at any time.

In compliance with Ontario’s Bill 190, we confirm that this posting represents a current, existing vacancy within our organization.

FGF Brands may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools as part of our recruitment and selection process. These tools may assist in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants. AI tools are used to support our recruitment process, with final hiring decisions made by our recruitment and hiring teams.

FGF Brands is committed to providing an accessible recruitment process. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. If you require an accommodation, please let our recruitment team know, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

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