Contract Research & Development Specialist (Contract)

Job Description: Who We Are: At Arterra Wines Canada, we aim to inspire the simple joys of life, and we come to work every day with a shared passion to build wine brands people love. As a pioneer in the Canadian wine industry with 150 years of experience, our success is driven by our people. We work together with integrity and pride, striving to reach our fullest potential every day, and we’re looking for people who do the same. We are undergoing a pivotal transformation, actively in search of dynamic individuals poised to make a substantial impact within our ever-evolving organization. Are you someone who embraces change and excels in diverse roles that span across various functions? If so, we look forward to hearing from you! ROLE SUMMARY: We are seeking a 12 month contract R&D Specialist reporting to R&D Manager to provide technical leadership and innovation support across beverage product development initiatives. This role is designed to bring diverse industry perspectives and expertise into our R&D team, with a particular interest in candidates who have strong experience in beverage development outside the wine industry, including alcoholic beverages such as spirits, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, beer, cider and other emerging beverage categories. The ideal candidate will leverage broad beverage R&D knowledge to drive product innovation, process improvement, commercialization, and cross-functional collaboration while contributing fresh insights and best practices from adjacent beverage sectors. This role can be worked out of our Niagara Falls office, Rougemont, QC office or our Oliver, BC office. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Product Development Execution Support end‑to‑end R&D activities for new product launches, including: Reviewing new product designs with Operations teams. Conducting verification and validation testing for RTD (Ready‑to‑Drink) products. Managing JDE setup and updates for flavors, ingredients, and blends. Verifying ingredient statements and communicating updates to Compliance and Brand teams. Coordinating ingredient and product stability studies, including shelf‑life testing. Assisting in the investigation and resolution of flavor- or color‑related product complaints or defects. Supporting research trials, competitive taste panels, and cross‑functional project work with Brand teams. Sample Creation & Product Prototyping Prepare product samples for a variety of business needs, including: Sales and Marketing presentations. Liquor Board submissions. TTB submissions. Nutritional and third‑party laboratory analyses. Apply knowledge of flavors, ingredients, and sensory science to develop new product prototypes. Sensory Evaluation & Reporting Participate in sensory evaluation panels and other product assessment activities. Generate formal reports for: Shelf‑life sensory evaluations. Ingredient changes. Test and trial outcomes. Other sensory‑related studies as required. R&D Technical Support Support Product Leads on: New Product Development (NPD). Design‑to‑Value (DTV) initiatives. Process improvements. Other product development projects aligned with business priorities. Prepare technical documents and responses for customer inquiries. Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, and general lab readiness. Provide support for confidential or high‑priority projects as assigned. Other Regular office and Lab environment Occasional tasks which may require physical exertion Example: Lifting materials or supplies, such as packaging material samples or cases of finished goods for inspections. Bottling and shipping samples - some of which may be heavy or awkward Dishwashing of wine tasting glassware WHAT YOU BRING: BSc in Food Science, Nutrition, Oenology or relevant degree is preferred Minimum of 2 years working in consumer-packaged goods within Food & Beverage industry is required Working knowledge of Beverage Alcohol and/or other regulated is required Working knowledge of food product development and processes is preferred Solid understanding of food safety and allergens Can communicate effectively at different levels in the organization and cross functional stakeholders Must be driven, structured and results oriented with a positive and professional attitude. Detail oriented and self-motivator Ability to work on multiple projects, priorities and product categories Proficient in Microsoft Office Products and Adobe. JDE experience an asset Strong verbal & written communication skills. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to maintain work logs and documentation What we offer: Hybrid work model, allowing employees to balance remote and in-office work. Competitive Salary and Bonus. Commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. A chance to explore and learn more about the Wine industry. Compensation : Budgeted Range – $ 57,922.00 - $79,642.00 The budgeted range takes into account several factors and qualifications that are considered in making compensation decisions including experience, education, training, licenses, certifications, and other business and organizational requirements. Base pay is only one component of the total rewards offering at Arterra. The budgeted range will align with qualifications, including experience, education, training, licenses, certifications, and other business and organizational requirements. We are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that reflects the diverse population it serves and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We are also committed to preventing and removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities, and we invite you to inform us should you have any accessibility or accommodation needs.