Assistant Product Development Specialist
Top Benefits
About the role
Made Better isn’t just a claim; it’s our Dare promise.
Dare has been a proudly Canadian, family-owned company since 1889. Throughout our long history, we’ve created some of the most loved brands in the country including Bear Paws cookies, REALFRUIT gummies, Breton crackers, Melba Toast and many more. For over 130 years we had been located in the Kitchener area since the family’s original store opened in 1892. We are head quartered in Cambridge Ontario and we’ve expanded our roots far beyond. With manufacturing plants in North America and over 1400 employees, Dare is part of the fabric of Canada.
At Dare our dedicated team works passionately to uphold our tradition of excellence, innovation and quality in every aspect of our operations. Our state-of-the-art facilities utilize advanced technology to ensure consistency and quality while meeting the evolving needs of our consumers and customers.
Cambridge and Milton
New
Type: Permanent Full -Time
Hybrid
Position Overview
The Assistant Product Development Specialist supports the Research & Development team in the execution of product development, renovation, and optimization projects from concept through commercialization. Reporting to the Product Development Manager, this role provides hands-on technical and administrative support across formulation, trials, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration. This is an ideal opportunity for an early-career professional looking to develop technical expertise within a food manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Support product development and renovation projects under the guidance of senior Product Development team members
- Assist with formulation development, bench trials, pilot trials, and plant trials, including preparing samples and documenting results
- Participate in plant trials and production runs; support data collection, analysis, and follow-up actions
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date product documentation, including formulas, specifications, bills of material, and development reports
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Marketing) to support commercialization activities
- Support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance by ensuring development activities align with internal standards and external requirements
- Contribute to risk assessments, process documentation, and validation activities as required
- Provide post-launch support related to formulation, process, or quality troubleshooting when needed
- Passion for food and product development
- This position will require periodic and project dependant travel (25%) to other Dare manufacturing or co-manufacturing sites within Canada and the US
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline
- 0–2 years of experience in product development, R&D, quality, or manufacturing within the food industry (co-op or internship experience considered an asset)
- Basic understanding of food formulation, processing, and manufacturing environments
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to document and organize technical information effectively
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with formulation or specification systems is an asset
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment
Total Rewards Package: Our Total Rewards package reflects the investment we make in our employees to help them and their families achieve their well-being goals. Total Rewards at Dare Foods includes a competitive base salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits and retirement programs. In addition, we offer paid time off, career development opportunities as well as reward and recognition programs.
At Dare Foods Limited, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, equal-opportunity environment that welcomes all individuals from all backgrounds because we know it will make our company a better place to work. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment.
We want to thank all candidates in advance for their interest; only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot confirm the receipt of individual applications or resumes.
Salary offers will be determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, and internal equity.
Not the right fit? Search for Assistant Product Development Specialist jobs in Cambridge, ON
About Dare Foods Limited
Made Better isn’t just a claim; it’s our Dare promise.
Dare has been a proudly Canadian, family-owned company since 1889. Throughout our long history, we’ve created some of the most loved brands in the country including Bear Paws cookies, REALFRUIT gummies, Breton crackers, Melba Toast and many more. For over 130 years we had been located in the Kitchener area since the family’s original store opened in 1892. We are now head quartered in Cambridge Ontario and we’ve expanded our roots far beyond. With eight manufacturing plants and over 1400 employees, Dare is part of the fabric of Canada.
At Dare our dedicated team works passionately to uphold our tradition of excellence, innovation and quality in every aspect of our operations. Our state-of-the-art facilities utilize advanced technology to ensure consistency and quality while meeting the evolving needs of our consumers and customers.
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Assistant Product Development Specialist
Top Benefits
About the role
Made Better isn’t just a claim; it’s our Dare promise.
Dare has been a proudly Canadian, family-owned company since 1889. Throughout our long history, we’ve created some of the most loved brands in the country including Bear Paws cookies, REALFRUIT gummies, Breton crackers, Melba Toast and many more. For over 130 years we had been located in the Kitchener area since the family’s original store opened in 1892. We are head quartered in Cambridge Ontario and we’ve expanded our roots far beyond. With manufacturing plants in North America and over 1400 employees, Dare is part of the fabric of Canada.
At Dare our dedicated team works passionately to uphold our tradition of excellence, innovation and quality in every aspect of our operations. Our state-of-the-art facilities utilize advanced technology to ensure consistency and quality while meeting the evolving needs of our consumers and customers.
Cambridge and Milton
New
Type: Permanent Full -Time
Hybrid
Position Overview
The Assistant Product Development Specialist supports the Research & Development team in the execution of product development, renovation, and optimization projects from concept through commercialization. Reporting to the Product Development Manager, this role provides hands-on technical and administrative support across formulation, trials, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration. This is an ideal opportunity for an early-career professional looking to develop technical expertise within a food manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Support product development and renovation projects under the guidance of senior Product Development team members
- Assist with formulation development, bench trials, pilot trials, and plant trials, including preparing samples and documenting results
- Participate in plant trials and production runs; support data collection, analysis, and follow-up actions
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date product documentation, including formulas, specifications, bills of material, and development reports
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Marketing) to support commercialization activities
- Support food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance by ensuring development activities align with internal standards and external requirements
- Contribute to risk assessments, process documentation, and validation activities as required
- Provide post-launch support related to formulation, process, or quality troubleshooting when needed
- Passion for food and product development
- This position will require periodic and project dependant travel (25%) to other Dare manufacturing or co-manufacturing sites within Canada and the US
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline
- 0–2 years of experience in product development, R&D, quality, or manufacturing within the food industry (co-op or internship experience considered an asset)
- Basic understanding of food formulation, processing, and manufacturing environments
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to document and organize technical information effectively
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); familiarity with formulation or specification systems is an asset
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment
Total Rewards Package: Our Total Rewards package reflects the investment we make in our employees to help them and their families achieve their well-being goals. Total Rewards at Dare Foods includes a competitive base salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits and retirement programs. In addition, we offer paid time off, career development opportunities as well as reward and recognition programs.
At Dare Foods Limited, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, accessible, equal-opportunity environment that welcomes all individuals from all backgrounds because we know it will make our company a better place to work. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment.
We want to thank all candidates in advance for their interest; only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot confirm the receipt of individual applications or resumes.
Salary offers will be determined based on the candidate's skills, experience, and internal equity.
Not the right fit? Search for Assistant Product Development Specialist jobs in Cambridge, ON
About Dare Foods Limited
Made Better isn’t just a claim; it’s our Dare promise.
Dare has been a proudly Canadian, family-owned company since 1889. Throughout our long history, we’ve created some of the most loved brands in the country including Bear Paws cookies, REALFRUIT gummies, Breton crackers, Melba Toast and many more. For over 130 years we had been located in the Kitchener area since the family’s original store opened in 1892. We are now head quartered in Cambridge Ontario and we’ve expanded our roots far beyond. With eight manufacturing plants and over 1400 employees, Dare is part of the fabric of Canada.
At Dare our dedicated team works passionately to uphold our tradition of excellence, innovation and quality in every aspect of our operations. Our state-of-the-art facilities utilize advanced technology to ensure consistency and quality while meeting the evolving needs of our consumers and customers.