Director of Supply Innovation and R&D
Rubicon Organics’ mission is to grow the best cannabis on earth and for the earth and today we are doing just that out of our state-of-the art greenhouse facility located in Delta, B.C. We are growing and expanding quickly while on our journey to achieving our vision to be the global brand leader in organic cannabis.
We are seeking a Director of Supply Innovation and R&D to lead the evolution of our product innovation strategies. Reporting to the VP of Operations, this senior leadership role will drive cross-functional efforts that transform our ideas into market-ready products. You will be accountable for leading a dynamic team across R&D, product development, and process innovation.
This is a high-impact role for a strategic thinker and doer who thrives at the intersection of science, innovation, and scalable operations.
What You'll Do:
Innovation Strategy & Execution
Develop and lead Rubicon’s long-term innovation roadmap across product categories.
Identify and validate new technologies, inputs, formats, and processes that enhance quality, sustainability, and market differentiation.
Translate business needs and consumer insights into feasible, innovative product concepts.
Champion consumer packaged goods (CPG) best practices across product design, packaging, and positioning to enhance customer experience and shelf performance.
Drive our innovation gate process to ensure operational alignment and execution as we move through stage gates.
Research & Development Leadership
Oversee the R&D lifecycle from ideation and prototyping through scale-up and commercialization.
Lead all genetic development initiatives including phenotype hunting, tissue culture, and library management in collaboration with cultivation and marketing.
Drive innovation in packaging and labeling materials, including sustainable and compliant options that align with brand values and regulatory requirements.
Maintain deep expertise in the Cannabis Regulations, particularly as they relate to product formats, packaging, and labeling; ensure all innovations are developed in full compliance with Health Canada requirements.
Partner with QA, Regulatory, and Compliance to ensure that all new products and processes meet or exceed applicable standards (e.g., FVOPA organic, GPP, CRA).
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Cultivation, Operations, Commercial, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams to align innovation goals with business objectives.
Provide technical leadership during product launches and process trials.
Lead pilot projects and implement feedback loops to refine new products pre-commercialization.
People & Performance Leadership
Manage and mentor our R&D, Supply Innovation, Quality, and Compliance teams.
Build a high-performance team culture that fosters creativity, accountability, and learning.
Drive clear KPIs to measure project success and portfolio performance.
Continuous Improvement
Own the interface between R&D and operations for scale-up and SOP development.
Champion a test-and-learn mindset, leveraging data and experimentation to inform decisions.
Introduce structured methodologies such as Design of Experiments (DoE), lean trials, and process validation.
What You Bring:
10+ years of experience in product innovation, R&D, or technical operations, ideally within cannabis, CPG, agri-tech, or biotech.
Proven ability to take products from concept to commercialization in a regulated environment.
Deep understanding of innovation gate processes.
Deep understanding of processing technologies and formulation science.
Demonstrated knowledge of CPG industry best practices, particularly in packaging innovation, labeling materials, and consumer product design.
Strategic thinker with strong project management skills and a bias for execution.
Inspirational team leader with experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
Passion for cannabis and belief in its potential to enhance lives.
Why Join Us?
At Rubicon Organics, you’ll be part of a passionate and driven team committed to doing things the right way - for our people, our planet, and the legacy we’re building, one bud at a time. This is a great opportunity to apply your expertise in a high-impact role where your work will be seen, valued, and felt across the organization. You’ll also have the chance to grow alongside a leading company in the Canadian cannabis industry. We offer a 10% annual performance bonus, a monthly phone stipend, vehicle allowance, comprehensive health and dental benefits, paid vacation and sick days, a flexible schedule, and ongoing support for learning and development. If that sounds like your kind of place, we’d love to hear from you.
Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.
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