Specification Specialist - Ingredients and Packaging (Contract)

The Opportunity:

The position of RDT Specification Specialist will collaborate closely with external suppliers, Purchasing, Product Development, Manufacturing and Quality team members to load the SAP system with information that is accurate and complete. Maple Leaf Foods has made significant investments in SAP ERP systems, including the Recipe Development (RD) and Quality Management (QM) modules. The SAP RD database provides a comprehensive technical product data repository which includes quality, manufacturing, product development, packaging, process technology, auditing SOPs and regulatory information.

As a member of a dedicated project team formed to complete the work of building product recipes and specifications, this role is responsible for gathering documentation from external suppliers and maintaining specifications based on that documentation. The role will work closely with Regulatory, Packaging Technology, Purchasing, Product Development and Food Safety/Quality team members to ensure SAP RD system information is accurate and complete.

This is an excellent career development opportunity for a self-motivated, team oriented, results-focused individual with strong analytical abilities, good communication skills and an interest in learning about food industry business processes in quality, manufacturing and product lifecycle management (PLM).

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by April 22. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Reason for vacancy: Incremental Headcount
Base Salary: $58, – $87, CAD base pay annually

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Work directly with our ingredient and packaging suppliers to ensure proper documentation of all incoming materials is obtained
• Screen technical information related to ingredients and packaging for accuracy and completeness
• Communicate with suppliers to gather necessary documentation, following up where necessary
• Research and source material information from legacy sources
• Analysis of Bill of Materials (BOMs) and legacy documentation
• Creation and maintenance of specifications using SAP Recipe Development system, based on supplier-provided information
• Conduct validation sessions with Product Developers, Packaging Technologists, Regulatory and Quality Assurance teams
• Project management including tracking and communicating scope and completion rates
• Leverage report capabilities in SAP RD to find opportunities for standardization, detect potential errors of consistency and missing data
• Support training of personnel at the manufacturing site on system and data structure
• Participate in weekly meetings with internal cross-functional business partners to provide status updates and ask questions
• Work collaboratively with cross‐functional stakeholders to generate required specifications and reports in accordance with project timelines

What You’ll Bring:

• Exceptional problem solving, troubleshooting and analytical skills. Process thinking capability is a must
• Results oriented and able to work as a contributing and cooperating team member
• Strong communication skills both in person and written
• A self starter, with the ability to prioritize, manage time well and be attentive to detail
• Strong system skills, including the ability to work with various systems simultaneously
• Proactive and performance driven, have a bias for action and be able to work under pressure in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• French language proficiency an asset
• University degree in a related discipline, e.g. Food Science, Quality Assurance or Nutrition, Science or College Diploma in Regulatory Affairs/Quality Assurance.

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.