Research and Development Manager

About the Company

Would you like to be a part of a revolution in agriculture in Canada? If so, we would love to hear from you!

At GoodLeaf Farms we are a proud Canadian company at the forefront of innovation, striving to grow food security for communities from coast to coast. We are breaking ground in an industry that is proving itself to be sustainable, not only environmentally but economically and socially as well. We are focused on producing delicious and nutritious, ultra-fresh greens, 365 days a year by leveraging human creativity and technology.

Why work at GoodLeaf Farms?

It is our commitment to provide you with the work environment and tools necessary to be successful in your role. We hope that you will find your work here rewarding, challenging, and meaningful.

• You will have the opportunity to take your career to the next level. GoodLeaf is growing and we want you to grow along with us!
• We have an entrepreneurial and inclusive spirit with the heart of a startup.
• We foster an environment of cooperation and communication.
• We offer competitive compensation and benefits.

Every day at GoodLeaf Farms we get to help solve the challenge of food security for communities across Canada and do it in innovative ways that inspire healthy lifestyles. We think that’s exciting and the best reason of all to join us!

Role Summary

The Research & Development (R&D) Manager is responsible for leading research, innovation, and technical development initiatives at GoodLeaf's Agriculture Centre of Excellence (ACE) in Guelph. Reporting to the Vice President, Horticulture Development, Innovation and Quality Assurance, this role plays a key part in advancing the company's innovation strategy through the development of new technologies, horticultural practices, crop varieties, and production methodologies that improve yield, quality, efficiency, and profitability.

The R&D Manager brings deep expertise in plant science, horticulture, and controlled environment agriculture (CEA), combined with a proven ability to design and execute research programs, translate findings into commercial operations, and lead high-performing technical teams. This role serves as a critical bridge between research, production, quality, and commercial teams to support GoodLeaf's growth and industry leadership.

Role Responsibilities (included but not limited to):

Research & Innovation Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of GoodLeaf's R&D and innovation strategy in alignment with company goals and long-term business priorities.
• Design, implement, and manage research programs focused on crop performance, yield optimization, product quality, operational efficiency, and new product development.
• Identify emerging technologies, industry trends, and scientific advancements that create opportunities for competitive advantage.
• Establish research priorities and ensure effective allocation of resources across projects.

Experimental Design & Scientific Excellence

• Develop scientifically rigorous experimental protocols and methodologies.
• Oversee data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting to ensure statistically valid conclusions.
• Maintain detailed research records, experimental documentation, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through evidence-based decision making.

Commercialization & Operational Integration

• Partner closely with Horticulture, Quality, Engineering and Farm Operations teams to translate successful research outcomes into scalable commercial practices.
• Support the development and implementation of improved growing techniques, environmental control strategies, and production systems.
• Evaluate and validate innovative agricultural inputs, technologies, substrates, lighting strategies, irrigation systems, and nutrient management programs.

New Product & Variety Development

• Lead the evaluation and introduction of new crop varieties and products that align with market demand and customer needs.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, and Operations teams to support product innovation initiatives.
• Assess product performance, quality attributes, production feasibility, and commercial viability.

Cross-Functional & External Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships across Operations, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers, research institutions, technology providers, and industry partners.
• Represent GoodLeaf in industry forums, research collaborations, and external technical discussions when required.
• Foster a culture that supports innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Partner with Quality Assurance to establish and maintain quality standards for research activities.
• Develop and maintain sanitation and operational SOPs within the R&D environment.
• Ensure research activities comply with internal standards, food safety requirements, and applicable regulations.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing R&D team, including Research Leads, Technicians, and future team members.
• Establish clear objectives, performance expectations, and development plans.
• Promote a safe, collaborative, and accountability-driven work environment.
• Support succession planning and ongoing capability development within the department.

Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Identify root causes of technical, operational, and product-related challenges.
• Develop innovative solutions that enhance productivity, quality, and business performance.
• Encourage curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning across the team.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties and projects as assigned

Qualifications and Skills

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Plant Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Biology, or a related field.
• Master's degree or PhD is strongly preferred.

Experience

• Demonstrated success leading applied research programs within horticulture, agriculture, plant science, or controlled environment agriculture.
• Experience transferring research outcomes into commercial production environments.
• Proven track record of leading and developing technical teams.
• Experience working with hydroponic production systems.
• Experience within controlled environment agriculture (CEA), greenhouse, vertical farming, or related production environments.
• Experience establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders, suppliers, and research organizations.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of plant physiology, crop production, and horticultural best practices.
• Advanced understanding of irrigation systems, nutrient management, environmental controls, lighting systems, substrates, and plant health management.
• Expertise in experimental design, statistics, and data interpretation.
• Experience with technical report writing, research documentation, and presentation of findings.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinker with a strong business mindset.
• Exceptional planning, organizational, and project management capabilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change.
• Highly collaborative, adaptable, and results-oriented.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including cross-border travel, as required.
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends to support critical research activities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

GoodLeaf Farms is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at GoodLeaf Farms are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, colour, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

Pay: $90,000.00-$120,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person