Position Title: Food Scientist
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Grade: Grade 04
Requisition ID: 43378
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
As a Food Scientist on the Global Innovation Platforms team, you will play a key role in developing, optimising, and scaling innovative products across McCain’s Potato and Global Snacking categories. You will translate product concepts into commercially viable solutions by designing and executing experiments, applying scientific rigour, and partnering cross-functionally. This role is ideal for a scientist with a strong foundation in ingredients, formulation, and processing who is ready to take ownership of project execution while continuing to build technical expertise.
What you’ll be doing.
1. Technical Execution & Experimentation
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Design, develop, and execute experiments, trials, and tests in line with stated project deliverables and mandatory documentation requirements.
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Translate project objectives into sound experimental designs, applying Design of Experiments (DOE) and an experimental mindset as core tools.
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Independently design and run experiments to deliver defined project outcomes, and effectively question technical assumptions along the way.
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Use data and appropriate statistical treatments to make quality decisions, and clearly present project data, results, and recommendations.
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Conduct Design Verification/Validation (DVF) analysis to confirm that products and processes meet project requirements.
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Apply science fundamentals relevant to the category — ingredients, formulation, and processing (e.g., batters, frying, cuts) — to solve development challenges.
2. Product & Process Development
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Develop new product concepts and prototypes, and support the evolution of product platforms that can scale across regions and customers.
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Incorporate product design principles, including food-safe design, and build food regulations and food safety standards into product and process design.
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Develop and maintain product documents, specifications, and related technical and costing information.
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Coordinate and support plant-scale tests — communicating objectives, special requirements, and accept/reject criteria to plant representatives and confirming the objectives of the test are met.
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Apply an understanding of McCain’s key process capabilities and bench-to-pilot-to-factory scale relationships, using statistical process control and reporting practices.
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Support process optimization and problem resolution in partnership with Technical Services, Operations, Engineering, Quality, and other functions as assigned.
3. Project Execution & Delivery
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Lead and manage the details of assigned projects, understanding project timelines and the critical path to on-time delivery.
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Propose work, set priorities, and build support for project plans.
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Identify technical risks within assigned work and help develop practical mitigation strategies.
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Evaluate and adjust product and manufacturing cost parameters to help meet operational and business objectives, with awareness of key business levers such as COGS.
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Communicate project status, needs, and outcomes clearly to the project team and to department and region management.
4. Collaboration, Growth & Capability Building
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Partner effectively across R&D and internal functions, proactively building internal networks and relationships.
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Interface with suppliers, customers, and co-packers as required, and coordinate raw-material sourcing, evaluation, and improvement activities with Procurement and suppliers.
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Support Commercial and Marketing by contributing technical input to customer presentations and innovation discussions.
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Provide informal guidance and support to new team members through knowledge sharing and on-the-job coaching.
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Actively seek feedback on yourself and your projects, demonstrate curiosity, and continue to increase the depth of your technical skills.
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Incorporate multiple points of view — including cross-functional perspectives — into your plans and solutions.
What you’ll need to be successful.
Education and Experience
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BS or MS degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
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Minimum 3+ years of relevant experience in product development or food science, preferably within food, CPG, or manufacturing environments.
General Competencies
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Proven ability to independently manage the details of product development projects and deliver against timelines.
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Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.
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Effective collaborator across functions and cultures who values different perspectives.
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Developing confidence under pressure, with a willingness to move beyond the familiar and easy aspects of a project.
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Applies commercial understanding and consumer/customer insight to help balance desirability, technical feasibility, and business needs.
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Well-organized and detail-oriented, with excellent record keeping and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
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Comfortable working with ambiguity and evolving project scope.
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Positive, self-motivated, and solution-oriented, with curiosity and a passion for innovation.
R&D Technical Competencies
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Strong capability in experimental design (including DOE), data interpretation, and scientific rigor.
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Sound knowledge of food ingredients and their interaction with processing and packaging.
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Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety, and the product development lifecycle.
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Working knowledge of food regulations and food safety standards, including requirements related to product labeling and nutrition.
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Understanding of process capabilities and bench-to-pilot-to-factory scale-up, in partnership with manufacturing and engineering teams.
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Ability to perform mathematical calculations and apply statistical techniques to analyze and present data.
About the team.
The Global Innovation Platforms team is a collaborative R&D group focused on advancing product development across McCain’s global portfolio. The team partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders including Technical Services, Operations, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, and Commercial teams to deliver scalable, consumer-driven innovations. As part of this team, you will contribute to a culture of experimentation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.
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Compensation Package: $69,700.00 - $93,000.00 . CAD annually + Bonus Eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
Benefits: At McCain, we’re on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person’s needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with applicable law and can vary by work level, location, and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we’re here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work — and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know, and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.
Job Family: Research & Development
Location(s): CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Florenceville-Bristol
Company: McCain Foods (Canada)
