R&D Co-Op Term

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as Made Good and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2030, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough.

But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

The Technical R&D Co-op Student supports the Made Good R&D team in renovation, and commercialization of innovative food products. Working alongside cross-functional teams, this role contributes to R&D projects, equipment and line commissioning, plant trials, product launches, and troubleshooting initiatives that help bring high-quality products from concept to commercialization.

The successful candidate will assist with a variety of R&D activities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Responsibilities include conducting research, performing bench-top testing and product evaluations, supporting pilot and manufacturing trials, documenting results, and assessing product feasibility. The co-op student will also contribute to day-to-day support by applying strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.

This role is ideal for a curious, hands-on learner who is passionate about food science. The successful candidate will demonstrate creativity, scientific curiosity, strong organizational and documentation skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities. They will embody Riverside's core values, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and contribute with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to delivering accurate, data-driven results.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate and uphold Riverside’s Core Values
• Keep abreast of industry trends, new technologies and ingredients in the globalsnackmarketplaceand beyond
• Attend seminars&vendor meetings, etc. to expand knowledge of ingredient functionality, industry trends, etc.
• Build collaborative relationships with existing or new ingredient vendor partners on innovative use of existing or new ingredients
• Use sound scientific evidence when conducting scientific testingtoseek truth, rather than success or failure. Use this information to make informeddecisionsand provide actionable insights.
• Independently conduct benchtop evaluations of new food products using SOPs. Document all formulas, methodologies, observations and results. Communicate information clearly to stakeholders.
• Support plant trials through data collection, organization, material preparation and clean up
• Support day-to-day production troubleshooting with a collaborative mindset and data-driven problem-solving skills
• Create product samples for evaluation on benchtop or pilot plant scale with meticulous attention to detail. Package and label samples appropriately for intended use.
• Develop and maintain accurate project records to ensure seamless transitions of project ownership and capture learnings from project successes and failures
• Participate inshelf-lifeprogramby tasting products & providing objective feedback on a weekly basis. Arrange shelf-life tastings when Lab Technician is unavailable.
• Respect and promote the company’s health and safety program, maintaining a safe working environment and ensure the continued…