Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.
We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.
So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.
You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.
Purpose:
The Technical R&D Co-op Student supports the MadeGood R&D team in renovation, and commercialization of innovative food products. Working alongside cross-functional teams, this role contributes to R&D projects, equipment and line commissioning, plant trials, product launches, and troubleshooting initiatives that help bring high-quality products from concept to commercialization.
The successful candidate will assist with a variety of R&D activities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include conducting research, performing bench-top testing and product evaluations, supporting pilot and manufacturing trials, documenting results, and assessing product feasibility. The co-op student will also contribute to day-to-day support by applying strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
This role is ideal for a curious, hands-on learner who is passionate about food science. The successful candidate will demonstrate creativity, scientific curiosity, strong organizational and documentation skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities. They will embody Riverside's core values, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and contribute with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to delivering accurate, data-driven results.
Primary Responsibilities:
Education and Qualifications:
Reporting Relationships
The position reports to a Senior Food Scientist in Technical R&D.
Skills and Abilities:
Job Scorecard:
Key Accountabilities
The rating system for the corresponding accountability is as follows:
1 = Crucial tasks, day to day, role-critical, urgent
2 = Important tasks, supporting the team
3 = Non-critical tasks, less urgent, supporting the business as a whole
Responsibility
KPI/ Metric to Measure Success
Rating (1 – 3)
Comments
Supports production and procurement initiatives to ensure the day-to-day running of the business
1
Assists in R&D commissioning of new equipment to expand capacity
1
Assists with renovations and commercialization activities to support to support NPD and CI initiatives (Branded/Private)
1
Assists with product development – benchtop evaluation, research, plant trials, etc.
1
Competencies for Success of the Role:
Key Riverside Leadership Competencies needed to be successful in this role:
Leadership Capabilities
Definition
FYI Competencies
Comments
Delivers Results
Ability to rebound from setbacks and adversity when faced with difficult situations. Capability to navigate a path forward without all the necessary information.
Resilience
Manages Ambiguity
Ensures Accountability
1.Maintains a positive attitude and forward-thinking approach despite setbacks.
2. Manages the risk that comes with moving forward when the outcome isn’t certain.
3. Establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results.
4. Follows through on commitments and makes sure others do the same.
5. Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures.
6. Is calm and productive, even when things are up in the air.
7. Deals constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.
Fosters Collaborative Relationships
Ability to find a way to achieve an objective by making the best use of the resources available- doing more with less. Looking beyond the obvious for other viable approaches to accomplishing the goal.
Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
Resourcefulness
Collaborates
1.Adapts quickly to changing resource requirements.
2.Enjoys multi-tasking; applies organizational know-how and leverages relationships to advance multiple objectives.
3.Finds creative solutions to challenges.
4. Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives.
5.Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments.
6.Gains trust and support of others.
Key Riverside Functional Competencies needed to be successful in this role:
Functional Capabilities
Definition
Competencies
Comments
Commercialization skills
Translating formulations from lab scale to large scale production. Capability to understand Riverside’s manufacturing processes and how formulations interact with production equipment.
-Manufacturing Process knowledge
-Critical Thinking
-Data-driven decision making
-Risk Management
-Problem Solving
-Specification Development
-Assisting in execution of plant trials using a scientific approach to ensure a successful scale up of formulas from lab to industrial scale.
- Helping troubleshoot production issues collaboratively using a data-forward approach and critical thinking skills
New Product Development skills
Ability to develop new formulations taking into consideration equipment capability, nutrition & cost guardrails and sensory targets.
-Formulation
-Ingredient functionality
-Data Management
-Sensory science
-Ideation & Innovation
-Ability to manage multiple criteria when developing a new formula.
-Uses an analytical approach when planning lab work in order to understand ingredient functionality in formula
-Uses sensory best practices to guide product decisions.
Please note this role as a new vacancy.
Please note this role is an existing vacancy.
At Riverside, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation and job posting practices. The range above reflects the target compensation for the position at the time of posting. Exact compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education, and training, as well as other organizational needs, while balancing internal equity.
What we expect:
What We Offer:
Wait! There’s more!
How to Apply:
If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!
Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Disclaimer: As part of our recruitment process, we may use technology-assisted tools, including automated systems, to support the review and assessment of applications. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All decisions related to screening, interviewing, and selection are made by our Talent Acquisition and hiring teams.
Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
Open job postingAbout the company
Riverside Natural Foods is a manufacturer of natural and organic snack foods.