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Manager, Research & Development (R&D), Bakery

Bimbo Canada1 day ago
Etobicoke, Ontario
Senior Level
full_time

About the role

About Us !

As part of the largest baking company in the world, Bimbo Canada is a leading producer and distributor of packaged fresh bread, bakery products and snacks. We produce and distribute more than 1,000 products across; 18 brands Canadians know and trust, like Dempster's®, Villaggio®, POM®, Bon Matin®, Stonemill®, Natural Bakery®, Takis®, Thomas'®, Little Bites™, Vachon®, Hostess® and more.

In business for more than 110 years, the company operates 15 bakeries and employs approximately 4,000 associates across Canada. Bimbo Canada creates value by being at the forefront of manufacturing and service delivery innovation in the baking industry through the continued improvement and refinement of its supply chain network while serving major grocery chains, retail outlets and foodservice operations across Canada.

At Bimbo Canada, we’re more than just a bakery - we’re a family dedicated to baking delicious moments for millions. Our beliefs are the foundation of our success, and we’re looking for people who share our commitment to excellence.

Hiring Requirements:

The Manager, Research & Development - Bakery, is accountable for leading the R&D function within the bakery portfolio, with a focus on driving innovation, productivity, and technical excellence in alignment with the company’s strategic objectives. This role is instrumental in supporting business growth by developing and commercializing products that respond to evolving consumer needs, emerging processing technologies, and sustainability targets. Working in close partnership with cross-functional teams, including Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain, the Manager ensures that technical solutions meet performance, cost, and customer requirements. The role demands a strong blend of technical expertise and commercial insight to successfully deliver consumer-preferred products in a fast-paced CPG environment. Additionally, the Manager will lead and develop a high-performing R&D team, cultivate a culture of innovation, and proactively advance strategic, consumer-centric initiatives that support long-term business success.

Key Responsibilities:

Product & Process Innovation

  • Lead and manage the R&D pipeline for bakery innovation, renovation, process optimization and productivity initiatives
  • Translate market trends and customer insights into minimum viable products and scalable bakery product concepts
  • Guide the development of new formulations and production processes for bread, rolls, tortillas, bagels, english muffins, and other bakery items
  • Oversee lab bakes, pilot plant trials, production scale-up, sensory testing, and shelf-life studies
  • Collaborate closely with Global R&D and other R&D partners within Grupo Bimbo network to readily test and adopt new technologies, product concepts and best practices

Commercial Impact & Business Strategy

  • Partner with Marketing, Operations, Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain to align R&D projects with commercial priorities and growth targets
  • Integrate margin management and design to value into product development decisions
  • Conduct make-or-buy evaluations and assess the financial viability of new technologies or ingredients
  • Monitor competitor activity and emerging trends to inform product strategy and maintain category leadership

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Lead and mentor a high-performing team of food scientists and technologists
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure product quality, compliance, and production feasibility
  • Support customer presentations, co-manufacturing partnerships, and B2B collaboration when required
  • Contribute to capital investment planning by advising on technical requirements for new equipment or production capabilities

Governance & Compliance

  • Ensure all products meet food safety, regulatory, and labeling requirements (CFIA, FDA, etc.)
  • Maintain accurate product documentation, formulation records, and ingredient specifications
  • Develop and manage R&D bakery budget, including resource allocation and project prioritization
  • Drive the adoption of new technologies in food processing, product development, commercialization and operating procedures
  • Manage the safeguarding of intellectual property arising from innovation initiatives, working closely with legal teams to secure trade secret
  • Champion a dynamic team culture that prizes creativity, agile innovation, fearless collaboration and relentless pursuit of executional excellence

Experience & Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field
  • 8+ years of progressive R&D experience, product development in the CPG, FMCG or food & beverage industry, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
  • Proven track record of successful product launches, food commercialization experience and innovation management.
  • Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements (CFIA, FDA, etc.), food safety, and quality systems.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Strong project management and organizational abilities.
  • Creative, analytical, and results-oriented mindset.
  • MBA or coursework in business/finance an asset.

Growth Opportunities: Bimbo Canada is committed to personal and professional growth. We offer training, development, and advancement opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Innovation : Be part of a company that constantly innovates in the food industry. Your work will contribute to creating delicious products loved by millions.

The Bimbo Way: We believe in the special dignity and value of the human person. We believe that as people we form one community and we believe that this community is focused on getting results. We do this by competing and winning in the market with superior quality in everything we do. We believe in being sharp operators; that is, being very, very good at what we do, and always acting with integrity so that as a company we can transcend and endure for a very long time. That’s the Bimbo Way.

We are incredibly proud of our distinction as one of Canada’s Most Admired Cultures by Waterstone Human Capital . This recognition is a reflection of how strong, people-first culture drives exceptional performance and sets us apart as industry leaders. Bimbo Canada was also named one of the 2024 Best Places to Work by Canadian HR Reporter (CHRR) ! This tremendous honour recognizes our commitment to creating an outstanding workplace for our associates.

If you are ready to join a company that values its associates and bakes delicious moments every day, apply today!!

Your journey with Bimbo Canada starts here.

We thank all interested applicants, but only those selected will be contacted. Please note all offers of employment at Bimbo Canada (Formerly Canada Bread Company Limited) are conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-hire background check (including but not limited to criminal history, reference, credit and/or physical demands checks) as appropriate for the role and as permitted by law.

Bimbo Canada is an equal opportunity employer that is dedicated to building a diverse workplace that promotes diversity, equity and belonging in the workplace, and encourages applications from qualified people of all genders, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities. We welcome applications from all interested individuals; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job seekers with disabilities who require accommodation during the recruitment process, or would like more details about accessibility, should contact Bimbo Canada Accessibility at CB_Accessibility@grupobimbo.com.

About Bimbo Canada

Food and Beverage Manufacturing
5001-10,000

At Bimbo Canada, we value our people, which is why we create meaningful career opportunities for the best and the brightest. We take great pride in fostering the personal and professional growth of our associates while supporting them to take charge of their own careers. Our purpose is to be highly productive and deeply humane. This is embedded in all that we do, including in how we treat our associates.

We respect and cherish our associates and demonstrate this with competitive salaries and benefits, plentiful learning and development opportunities and by recognizing the diversity in culture and talent of all our associates.

We believe that Bimbo Canada is an extraordinary place to work with an exciting and fast-paced environment. Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional, Bimbo Canada provides extraordinary opportunities for growth with competitive salaries and benefits in an exciting, fast-paced workplace.

Our Beliefs How we bring them to life through the everyday actions of our associates is what sets us apart from our competitors. Our beliefs represent a common language which defines why each of us work for the company, where we are headed and how we will collectively transform the baking industry to better serve more Canadians.