PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

At Righteous, our mission is to have a tangible impact on how companies look, act, treat their people, and what we all deserve as consumers — in terms of quality, integrity, and experience. Our vision has always been rooted in forging strong relationships, empowering people, and delivering legendary customer experiences, all backed by the highest quality products possible.

We are, and always have been, people first. We think differently, act differently, and challenge others to be the change they wish to see in the world — we just happen to do it by making gelato. Enriching people’s lives, one tiny spoonful at a time.

YOUR MISSION

Reporting to the CEO initially, the Product Development Manager this role will work closely with Marketing, Operations, QA, Finance, Sales and Supply Chain.

You will guide our product innovation pipeline from consumer insights and early concepts through testing, packaging, production and retail launch. This is not a role for passive brainstorming. You will not just ideate fun flavours, you will be the driving force that turns great ideas into delicious, viable products that successfully make it onto retail shelves.

You will balance creative vision with operational discipline, connecting market trends and consumer behaviour with kitchen trials, production capabilities, packaging requirements, supply chain realities and gross margins.

Approximately 75% of your focus will be on new product innovation, including completing our 2027 launches, developing a new product platform and advancing limited-time offerings and line extensions. The remaining 25% will focus on improving and maintaining our existing portfolio.

A DAY IN THE LIFE – YOUR ROLE + RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be Legendary: Embody the “10 Things That Require Zero Talent” – be on time, work hard, show effort, bring positive body language, lead with a good attitude, bring passion, be coachable, go the extra mile, be prepared, & always show gratitude.

• Live the Brand: Represent our 8 Core Virtues & passionately share the Righteous story & products.

• Create Impact: Participate in our social & environmental programs, initiatives, & events—we’re here to make the world more awesome.

• Champion Quality: Be a guiding light for the integrity of all things that we do, including, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), hygiene standards, & food safety/quality policies.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

LEAD PRODUCT INNOVATION

• Translate consumer insights, market trends and business objectives into clear, executable product briefs.

• Lead new products from early concept and kitchen prototypes through test batches, validation, scale-up and launch.

• Manage the active innovation pipeline, including 2027 launches, new product platforms, limited-time offerings, reduced-sugar concepts and Sorbetto Bar innovation.

• Plan and coordinate sensory testing, consumer research and internal feedback, translating findings into clear product recommendations.

• Evaluate concepts against consumer appeal, brand fit, cost and operational feasibility, recommending which should advance, pivot, pause or stop.

• Explore new product lines and thoughtful extensions of our existing product platforms.

OWN COMMERCIALIZATION AND LAUNCH

• Build and manage commercialization plans, project timelines and launch milestones.

• Lead packaging from copy and mock-ups through regulatory review, print approval and production readiness.

• Coordinate product, ingredient, packaging, costing and operational readiness.

• Partner with QA on labels, claims, nutrition facts, allergens and CFIA requirements.

• Support test batches, scale-up and initial production runs.

• Deliver organized launch handoffs across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, QA and Production.

CONNECT CREATIVITY WITH COMMERCIAL REALITY

• Build and maintain accurate product costing sheets.

• Understand and protect gross-margin requirements throughout product development.

• Account for ingredient availability, minimum order quantities, packaging requirements, freight, lead times and manufacturing capabilities.

• Work with Finance, Operations and Supply Chain to assess the commercial feasibility of new products.

• Identify financial, operational, quality and supply chain risks early.

• Bring forward practical options and recommended solutions when challenges arise.

• Balance exciting product ideas with what consumers want, what retailers need and what the business can successfully produce.

• Support scenario planning related to pricing, volume, pack size, production methods and supplier options.

SUPPORT AND IMPROVE THE EXISTING PORTFOLIO

• Lead selected product improvements, packaging updates and ingredient or supplier transitions.

• Support line extensions and limited-time offerings within existing product families.

• Partner with Quality Assurance and Operations to investigate recurring product or commercialization challenges.

• Coordinate testing, approvals and communication for product or packaging changes.

• Ensure portfolio maintenance work remains organized without overtaking new product priorities.

LEAD ACROSS TEAMS

• Partner closely with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Finance, Sales and Production.

• Lead projects through influence, communication and accountability rather than formal authority.

• Coordinate support from internal team members for samples, test batches and production trials. Work with suppliers, co-manufacturers, packaging partners and external food science experts.

• Present consumer insights, project progress, pipeline status, risks and strategic recommendations to leadership.

• Maintain project momentum without requiring constant direction or follow-up.

• Escalate major strategic, financial, timing or brand decisions to the CEO with clear recommendations.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• 2027 launches reach agreed commercialization milestones and launch dates.

• Packaging, costing and production-readiness deliverables are accurate and completed on time.

• Consumer insights result in clear, actionable product recommendations.

• Meaningful progress is made toward a new product platform and viable line extensions.

• Risks are identified early and resolved with practical cross-functional solutions.

• Projects, decisions and knowledge are organized for a successful transition at the end of the contract.

YOU'LL BE A GREAT CULTURE FIT IF YOU ARE

• Organized, yet Flexible: You build structured project plans but pivot smoothly when priorities change.

• Grounded in Reality: You love big ideas, but you care just as much about unit economics, packaging lead times, and factory capabilities.

• Resourceful & Low-Ego: You are energized by solving problems, receptive to feedback, and care more about making the best product than defending the first idea.

• A Cross-Functional Connector: You build trust easily across production teams, finance leads, and creative marketers alike.

EXPERIENCE THAT HELPS

Required

• 3–5 years of experience in consumer packaged goods, plus 5+ years of product development experience within the food or beverage industry.

• Hands-on experience leading physical product commercialization and retail launches.

• Experience across product development, packaging, costing, manufacturing and launch execution.

• Strong understanding of consumer behaviour, marketing strategy and commercial decision-making.

• Working knowledge of supply chain, production planning and manufacturing constraints.

• Strong project-management, communication and presentation skills.

• Exceptional organization, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience in frozen desserts, dairy, plant-based, confectionery, refrigerated foods or a similar category.

• Experience working with co-manufacturers, suppliers and external product-development partners.

• Familiarity with CFIA labelling, sensory research and packaging production.

• Basic design capability for mock-ups and presentations.

• An interest in contributing to marketing strategies & initiatives is considered an assets

A food science degree is not required. Hands-on commercialization experience and the ability to work effectively with technical experts are more important.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

At Righteous, we believe business can be a force for good, and still be fun, fast-moving, and full of big flavour. You’ll join a world-class purpose-driven Canadian food company built on quality, transparency, sustainability, and care for people. This is a chance to play a meaningful role in helping us scale our operations, strengthen our systems, and get more ridiculously good gelato and sorbetto into more freezers.

• Location: Calgary, Alberta (On-site at HQ)

• Contract: This is a full-time role with an initial maternity leave continuity mandate from approximately Mid-August 2026 to October 2027. Longer term, this role is intended to support Righteous’ growing innovation and commercialization function.

• Opportunity: High potential for permanent growth based on performance and business needs.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• Annual salary of $75,000–$85,000

• Opportunity to share in our success through our Equity Incentive Plan

• Comprehensive benefits supporting physical and mental health, including medical, dental, vision, critical illness, long-term disability, out-of-country emergency coverage, and an Employee Assistance Program

• Time Off & Wellbeing

  • 10 vaycay days to start, increasing to 15 days after 5 years 🏄🏼♂️

  • 5 paid flex days, plus 1 extra flex day for each year of service 🎉

  • 5 paid personal health days 🧠

  • 1 paid birthday day! 🎂

  • Up to 5 paid bereavement days 🙏

• Personal & Professional Development Fund to support your growth

• Free Weekly pints & bars (yes, really!)

• Free In-house coffee & gelato bar + snacks for days!

• A values-led culture that takes the work seriously, but not ourselves too seriously

• The chance to help shape the next chapter of Righteous.