Research and Development Technician
About the role
Title : Research and Development Technician
Location : Langley Township, BC, CA
Regular Full-Time
Salary Range: CA$60,000.00 To CA$65,000.00 Annually, depending on experience
Thrive Freeze Dry, a rapidly growing freeze-dried manufacturing company is recruiting for experienced Research and Development Technician for our location in Langley BC reporting to the Research and Development Manager.
Responsibilities:
- Lead ideation and execution of new product initiatives aligned with company strategy, market trends, and customer insights.
- Oversee trials and creation/optimization of freeze-drying processes for raw and the occasional cooked ingredients, managing moisture targets, product integrity, and nutrient retention.
- Work with procurement, quality, operations, and sales & marketing teams to ensure product feasibility, cost targets, manufacturability, and brand alignment.
- Ensure all formulations meet or exceed AAFCO, FDA (if applicable), and other applicable regulations and nutritional standards.
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of comprehensive technical documentation, including ingredient specifications, product spec sheets, and formulation records. Design and lead shelf life and stability studies to validate product integrity, safety, and nutritional performance over time, ensuring data-driven decisions for expiration dating and packaging requirements.
- Evaluate new ingredients and suppliers for functional, nutritional, and safety performance; develop sourcing specifications.
- Build and mentor a high-performing pet food committee within the R&D team, promoting scientific rigor and a culture of innovation.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Master’s or Bachelor’s in Food Science, Animal Nutrition, Meat Science, or related field.
- 2+ years of experience in pet food or food manufacturing; 1+ years in freeze-dried or low-moisture foods preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of pet nutrition (dog and cat), ingredient functionality, and AAFCO/FDA/USDA regulatory guidelines.
- Proven experience managing R&D projects.
- Strong understanding of freeze-drying equipment, HACCP, and food safety principles.
- Excellent project management, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Passion for animal health and wellness through science-based nutrition.
About Thrive Freeze Dry
With over 40 years as industry pioneers, a future-focused research and development team, and second-to-none customer service, Thrive Foods is an industry leading manufacturer of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. We are all about making goodness delicious. We take the best that nature has to offer to simply create the finest freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. For packaged food manufacturers, retailers, restaurants or food service establishments, Thrive Foods offers a complete solution for your freeze-dried food needs, including an extensive product portfolio and complete customization capabilities.
Whether on the menu or on the shelf, freeze-dried produce brings our customers the nutritional and clean label benefits of fresh fruit with longer shelf lives, less waste and less spoilage. We offer a complete portfolio of good, natural products and continuous innovation – all supported by sustainable sourcing and responsible production.
Thrive Foods has three locations in Utah, New York, and California. This allows us to quickly source, produce and ship high-quality freeze-dried food products.
Research and Development Technician
About the role
Title : Research and Development Technician
Location : Langley Township, BC, CA
Regular Full-Time
Salary Range: CA$60,000.00 To CA$65,000.00 Annually, depending on experience
Thrive Freeze Dry, a rapidly growing freeze-dried manufacturing company is recruiting for experienced Research and Development Technician for our location in Langley BC reporting to the Research and Development Manager.
Responsibilities:
- Lead ideation and execution of new product initiatives aligned with company strategy, market trends, and customer insights.
- Oversee trials and creation/optimization of freeze-drying processes for raw and the occasional cooked ingredients, managing moisture targets, product integrity, and nutrient retention.
- Work with procurement, quality, operations, and sales & marketing teams to ensure product feasibility, cost targets, manufacturability, and brand alignment.
- Ensure all formulations meet or exceed AAFCO, FDA (if applicable), and other applicable regulations and nutritional standards.
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of comprehensive technical documentation, including ingredient specifications, product spec sheets, and formulation records. Design and lead shelf life and stability studies to validate product integrity, safety, and nutritional performance over time, ensuring data-driven decisions for expiration dating and packaging requirements.
- Evaluate new ingredients and suppliers for functional, nutritional, and safety performance; develop sourcing specifications.
- Build and mentor a high-performing pet food committee within the R&D team, promoting scientific rigor and a culture of innovation.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- Master’s or Bachelor’s in Food Science, Animal Nutrition, Meat Science, or related field.
- 2+ years of experience in pet food or food manufacturing; 1+ years in freeze-dried or low-moisture foods preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of pet nutrition (dog and cat), ingredient functionality, and AAFCO/FDA/USDA regulatory guidelines.
- Proven experience managing R&D projects.
- Strong understanding of freeze-drying equipment, HACCP, and food safety principles.
- Excellent project management, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Passion for animal health and wellness through science-based nutrition.
About Thrive Freeze Dry
With over 40 years as industry pioneers, a future-focused research and development team, and second-to-none customer service, Thrive Foods is an industry leading manufacturer of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. We are all about making goodness delicious. We take the best that nature has to offer to simply create the finest freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. For packaged food manufacturers, retailers, restaurants or food service establishments, Thrive Foods offers a complete solution for your freeze-dried food needs, including an extensive product portfolio and complete customization capabilities.
Whether on the menu or on the shelf, freeze-dried produce brings our customers the nutritional and clean label benefits of fresh fruit with longer shelf lives, less waste and less spoilage. We offer a complete portfolio of good, natural products and continuous innovation – all supported by sustainable sourcing and responsible production.
Thrive Foods has three locations in Utah, New York, and California. This allows us to quickly source, produce and ship high-quality freeze-dried food products.