Job Description

Position: Manager, Food Science & Innovation

Location: Calgary and Strathmore, Alberta

Reporting to: President & CEO

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Phytokana Ingredients Inc.

Phytokana is an independent Alberta-based innovator, processor, developer, and distributor of conventional and organic plant-based protein and ingredients for the food and beverage industry. We are building an ingredient innovation hub in Strathmore, Alberta – our processing facility will sustainably source novel pulse crops to produce high-purity protein concentrates and co-products flours from our low emission dry fractionation facility.

Role Overview

The role of Manager, Food Science & Innovation is to lead the characterization of our pulse ingredients and their application across diverse manufactured foods, ranging from plant-based meat and dairy to fortified baked goods. The position is responsible for leading research and innovation of existing and new ingredients to bring to market, liaison with customer R&I counterparts in collaborating on the use of our ingredients in food applications and ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction and collaboration successes. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Customer Technical Support & Liaison : Provide technical expertise, characterization of our pulse ingredients to support customers with product applications. Foster a collaborative relationship with customer R&I teams to support use of ingredients in formulations, new product development and food formulation concepts
• Drive innovation : Contribute to idea generation, collaborate with staff and customers on ingredient and food innovation, challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement for our customer needs
• Leverage AI in product development and quality control : Embrace and encourage curiosity in deploying AI in ingredient development, process optimization and quality control. Work closely with data engineers and operations to optimize predictive models for product quality
• Industry Engagement : Build connections within industry organizations to stay engaged with key stakeholders and customers on sector trends and innovations. Leverage networking and communication skills into new business opportunities
• Internal Cross Functional Collaboration : Collaborate closely with internal teams, including technical, research & innovation, commercial, operations, data analytics and customer service, to achieve customer objectives
• Contribute to the ongoing design and development of QA/QC program while working with the team to ensure results from R&I and QA/QC are incorporated into continuous improvement in our operations and quality
• Preserve all forms of intellectual and material property including support for writing patents, protocols for novel processes and obtaining product certifications
• Collaborate directly with Senior Management to foster continuous improvement across all company departments

Your attributes & competencies: 

• You are a critical thinker, creative marketer and have an entrepreneurial spirit
• A highly self-aware professional, you combine high levels of intelligence and empathy with a strong work ethic, honesty and integrity
• Strong interpersonal skills to lead, inspire and challenge teams
• You thrive in an environment of continuous innovation and improvement
• Broad network within the North American food ingredient and manufacturing space
• Dynamic, motivated, and entrepreneurial-minded with an internal drive to continuously hit goals and deadlines; proactive mentality with intellectual curiosity and desire to learn
• Desire to find new ways to address the changing demands of food consumers globally

Qualifications:

• Bachelor or Masters’s degree in food science
• 5–10+ years of ingredient characterization technical specifications of ingredients for use in food formulations. Food formulation and product development experience is an asset
• Strong technical aptitude with the ability to understand and communicate complex product features and benefits
• Expertise in developing and implementing continuous improvement processes in Client Relationship Management platform
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence decision-making
• Strong knowledge of food standards and regulatory requirements
• Exceptional analytical and decision-making skills grounded in data and evidence

Work Environment:

• Full-time role initially in Calgary, Alberta and then hybrid between Calgary and Strathmore

Why Join Phytokana?

• Be part of a pioneering team leading the commercial development of Alberta’s pulse ingredient industry
• Engage in meaningful work with opportunities for professional growth and impact
• Leverage a culture and work environment of strong leadership, career development, work-life balance and a job that is both challenging and stimulating

What we offer:

We provide a total reward program including competitive base salary, annual bonus incentive, group health benefits and the opportunity to participate in long-term incentive programs.

Application deadline:

 Applicants are encouraged to submit their credentials by September 25, 2025 to careers@phytokana.com.

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