R&D and Stability Specialist

Reporting to the Quality Manager, The R&D and Stability Specialist supports research and development, new product development, and quality assurance activities, with a primary focus on managing stability programs for Natural Health Products and foods. The role provides technical expertise in formulation, shelf‑life determination, and product monitoring, while generating and interpreting stability data to support regulatory compliance, product claims, and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Research & Development responsibilities:

• Maintain the pilot plant facility by ensuring all equipment, tools, and work areas remain clean, safe, and fully operational.
• Perform required environmental testing and monitoring in the pilot plant facility.
• Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support consistent, compliant, and efficient workflow execution.
• Dispense raw materials from production according to established protocols, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and proper inventory control.
• Prepare bench‑top and pilot-scale samples to support formulation work, product testing, and experimental development activities.
• Maintain accurate, detailed records of all formulations, manufacturing records, tests, and observations to support data integrity and project documentation.
• Perform routine analytical testing – including pH, specific gravity, and other basic measurements – to support product evaluation and quality assessments.
• Manage stability studies for R&D samples, including creating stability protocols, test setup, ongoing monitoring, data collection, and interpretation of results.
• Conduct sensory panels, create questionnaires, collect participant feedback, and analyze data to support product optimization and consumer‑driven insights.
• Collaborate with the Innovation Team to support new product development through formulation work, testing, and iterative improvements.
• Participate in cross‑functional project teams and provide clear, timely updates to ensure alignment and progress toward project goals.
• Provide support to Operations as required.

Stability responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and manage stability studies for finished products in accordance with internal procedures and applicable regulations.
• Collaborate with Technical Quality to ensure finished product stability and testing programs align with specifications.
• Conduct internal testing, such as pH and specific gravity, and coordinate sample submission to contract laboratories in accordance with approved stability protocols.
• Review, analyze, trend, and interpret stability data to support shelf‑life assignments, investigations, and risk assessments.
• Support investigations related to stability trends, out‑of‑specification results, complaints, and product changes.
• Provide technical support for regulatory submissions, product claims, and post‑market maintenance activities.
• Contribute to documentation, including protocols, reports, specifications, SOPs, and technical justifications.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and data quality of the stability program.
• Support digitization, trending tools, or reporting enhancements for stability data.
• Support additional QA activities as required to meet business and quality objectives.

Environmental And Social Responsibility:

• Support with the development, implementation and monitoring of the organization’s environmental and social goals as they relate to your team. This includes establishing your team’s performance metrics in alignment with the organization’s sustainability strategy.
• Identify opportunities for innovation or continuous improvement to enhance the organization’s sustainability goals (such as waste reduction/ diversion, circularity/ plastic reduction, emissions reduction, sustainable procurement, local sourcing, etc.).
• Foster a culture of sustainability within the organization by encouraging your team’s participation in sustainability initiatives and committees (such as volunteering at community events, Sustainability Committee/ DEI Committee participation, 1% for the Planet employee nomination contest, etc.).

Required Qualifications:

• A technical diploma or Bachelor of Science degree majoring in chemistry, food science, biology, biochemistry, or related discipline is required.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of laboratory experience; experience working with Health Canada and/or within the Natural Health Products industry is considered a strong asset.
• Expertise in Quality Assurance in food/beverage, Natural Health Products or pharmaceutical manufacturing is preferred.
• Strong technical writing skills with excellent reading comprehension.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly MS Excel and MS Word, for data analysis, trending, documentation, and reporting.
• Proven ability to proactively initiate projects and drive them forward independently or collaboratively within a team environment.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and time-management skills.

What We Offer:

It is Nature’s Way Canada’s philosophy to inspire and promote a physically and emotionally healthy workforce. To enhance the health of every employee and their families, we’ve created an environment to foster our philosophy. All eligible employees receive:

• Competitive pay and paid time off
• Excellent health and dental benefits
• Company RRSP matching program
• Comprehensive Wellness initiatives to promote a healthy lifestyle
• You Belong perk for those planting roots in Canada
• Employee Discount Program on all Nature’s Way Canada products
• Formal Educational Assistance
• Employee Recognition Programs