Research & Development Specialist (Wine Jobs: Management & Administration)

  Arterra Wines Canada

  Niagara Falls, Ontario

Job Description:

Coordinate the day-to-day Research and Development activities within the R&D Lab with primary focus on New Product Recipe development and NPD initiatives.  Ensure planning and adherence to new product project time lines.  Responsibility for also delivering COGS savings based on Value Engineering projects, as well as conduct required testing & analysis to support various Research and Development studies.

Key Responsibilities

The table below details the 4 to 5 key responsibilities of the job and the approximate percentage of time spent on each responsibility on an annual basis. These responsibilities represent the major areas of work performed.

Wine Kit Development

• Liaise with Marketing on product concept, flavor direction, and prototype presentation.
• Develop product prototypes based on proposed Marketing concepts/plans or to match capabilities.
• Apply knowledge of flavors & ingredients and sensory techniques to develop new product prototypes.
• Prepare samples for Sales and Marketing presentations and regulatory agencies (FIDS)

• Document overall beverage design and approval process, including new product design reviews with Operations Teams
• Responsible for coordinating recipe development and maintenance of Research & Development documents and information
• Plan and execute recipe and instruction development for Wine & Beer Kits

Wine Kit Execution

• Verify & communicate Ingredient statements for new products, including the generation of Nutritional Fact Tables (NFT’s)
• JDE set-up/change of flavours, ingredients and blends
• Coordinate ingredient/product stability and shelf-life testing as required
• Maintain ingredients, product samples and technical information as needed to perform above functions.

Research and Technical Support

• Liaise with flavor and ingredient suppliers to create unique products, reduce costs and/or reformulate, gain flavor trend information and new technologies for wine kits
• Coordinate the testing and qualification of existing commercial winemaking ingredients, flavours and additives.
• Lead/Support and coordinate the sensory and chemical testing for the CTT process
• Identify and test potential value engineering opportunities for raw materials, ingredients or flavors.
• Assist or support resolution of complaints or defects associated with flavors / colors in wine kits.
• Participate in Product launch and/or execution meetings with Marketing and Production as required
• Provide technical support  to QA, Sales, Marketing and external Suppliers and Customers as required
• Participate in sensory evaluation panels or other product assessments
• Support the Product Development Specialist as required.

Qualifications:

• B.Sc. Science (Chemistry or Food) major , or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years working in consumer packaged goods within the Food & Beverage Industry.
• Fundamentals of ISO 9000: 2015, and knowledge of HACCP & GMP’s
• Experience with use of flavors & colorings
• Knowledge of flavor and color compatibility and stability as well as cost of goods impact.
• Experience with sensory methods, sensory product designs, training and panel management
• Experience with pilot-scale fermentations, fining, filtering, bottling, carbonating beverages.
• Project management experience with excellent communication skills
• Strong verbal & written communication skills with the ability to influence others.
• Competence in PC software and applications - Computer proficiency (MS office, Word and Exel , etc … )
• Challenges for this role include working with internal customers including Marketing, Operations and Purchasing as well as external clients such as packaging material suppliers to meet commercial demands of cost and timing for new product introductions.
• Must also be able to influence and partner with other departments relating to packaging changes.
• Strong organizational, design and problem solving  skills and attention to detail is required to maintain work logs and documentation for

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