About us

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances and flavors, cosmetic active ingredients as well as functional ingredients. Its customers include perfume, cosmetics, food and beverage manufacturers, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of dietary supplements and pet food.

With sales of around €5.0 billion in the 2024 financial year, the company is one of the world's leading providers. The Group, headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, has more than 100 locations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, the USA and Latin America.

Giraffe Foods, part of the Symrise family of businesses, is the industry leader in custom, private label manufacturing of sauces, dips, salad dressings and drink concentrates. We are culinary-focused and customer-driven. We anticipate and respond to the ever-changing industry demands addressing on-trend dietary needs with world-class product development and customer service. Our commitment to our employees and to contributing to the food community in North America has strengthened over our twenty years of growth and expansion.

Our products can be found under Private Label in local and national groceries, multi-unit restaurant operations, and other food manufacturers across the US and Canada. We supply a vast range of chef-created sauces and dressings for meal kits, frozen meals, restaurant entrees and salads and salad kits. Though you may not know Giraffe Foods yet, you certainly know our customers and have most likely already enjoyed some of our delicious products without realizing it.

Proud to be chosen as Canada’s Great Place to Work, Giraffe Foods boasts a strong leadership team and enjoys a mutually beneficial partnership with our global parent company Symrise, headquartered in Germany.

Symrise – always inspiring more…

Your role

The Position

The Product Developer will work closely with our experienced team of developers and chefs in the Giraffe R&D department. With a passion for creating distinct and memorable food experiences for our customers you will develop new and/or renovate existing products to deliver premium quality products. This role is key to the Giraffe innovation process.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Independently lead new product development projects with higher level of complexities including technical, commercial and customer requirements
• Clarify customer requirements through Sales with customer to ensure efficient development of product
• Create prototype formulations and submit to customer for feedback. Revise as needed
• Maintain multiple projects accurately and efficiently
• Work with cross functional team members to ensure accurate information flow regarding products and scale up.
• Utilize programs (Genesis, Excel) along with internal tools to generate nutritional and costing information
• Participate in R&D and or Production meetings when required to do so
• Ensure product meets food safety parameters.
• Set up products through commercialization process once approved by customer
• Prepare samples of existing products or prototypes for customer evaluation
• Set up any new and unique raw materials
• Ensure all necessary ingredients are in house for trial and monitor 1st production to ensure scale up is successful
• Maintain clean and tidy work areas – responsible for cleaning personal lab station and support team efforts to keep refrigerator, freezer, and shared work spaces clean and tidy.
• Update lab notebook and backup electronic files with updated information
• Assist with preparation and execution of customer presentations.
• Maintain strong partnership and collaborative spirit with internal sales partners
• Hours may very/flexibility may be required for first production support
• Other duties as assigned by Manager

1. Support the Procurement team with new ingredient/vendor approvals for business continuity.
2. Support Operations and Quality teams with production issues and technical support.
3. Support existing Product Developers.

About you

Skills, Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology or a related field

• Culinary degree and/or experience is a plus

• High level of understanding of ingredients and formula portfolios

• General level of understanding on how regulatory processes interface with all other departments

• Leadership skill to ensure cross functional team alignments and timely delivery on related tasks and trainings

• Technical leadership in new category and capability development

• Highly motivated, flexible, and resourceful

• We are hiring for multiple roles and welcome applicants with different experience levels. Responsibilities will be aligned with qualifications.

Our offer

Benefits:

• A competitive compensation package
• An RRSP matching program
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, including an EAP program
• Ample time off throughout the year
• A hybrid remote work program
• Growth opportunities for career advancement
• Friendly and welcoming company culture
• Fun Company Events

Interested candidates may apply on-line or submit resume to jobs@giraffefoods.com.

We thank everyone for their expression of interest—and are truly appreciative of the time individuals put into applying—but with the limitations of time only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Giraffe Foods Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to equal treatment of all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, pregnancy, age, disability/handicap, record of offences, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you require accommodation measures during any aspect of the recruitment process, we will work with you to address your needs. Information related to accommodation measures will be treated as confidential.

Pay Transparency Disclosure: The expected annual salary range for this position is CAD 60000.00 – CAD 80000.00. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Job Reference: NA01618