Director of Product Development and Innovation (DPDI) | Zenabis
Search Overview
Organization:
Zenabis
Sector:
Cannabis Manufacturing and Consumer Products
Location:
Canada
Mandate Type:
Leadership Search
Leadership Function:
Director of Product Development and Innovation
Search Scope:
National Targeted Search
Engagement Focus:
Product Innovation, Scientific Leadership, and Research & Development
Confidentiality:
Confidential Leadership Recruitment Engagement
The Business Landscape
Zenabis engaged KIRAH to support the appointment of a Director of Product Development and Innovation during a period of accelerated industry growth and product evolution within the Canadian cannabis sector.
As consumer demand, regulatory expectations, and product sophistication continued evolving rapidly, the organization required a scientific and innovation focused leader capable of advancing product strategy, research initiatives, and development capabilities across the business.
The organization sought to strengthen its innovation infrastructure while continuing to differentiate itself within an increasingly competitive and highly regulated marketplace.
The mandate carried strategic importance as product development and scientific innovation were becoming central to long term growth, market positioning, and operational advancement across the cannabis industry.
The Leadership Requirement
The role required far more than traditional product development experience.
Zenabis required a scientific innovation leader capable of bridging research, product commercialization, scientific rigor, regulatory understanding, and long term innovation strategy.
The ideal candidate required deep scientific expertise combined with experience across product development, research environments, innovation leadership, formulation strategy, and regulated operational settings.
Equally important was the need for an individual capable of contributing strategically within a rapidly evolving industry environment where scientific credibility, innovation capability, and leadership maturity were critical.
The Search Mandate
KIRAH was retained to conduct a targeted national search for the Director of Product Development and Innovation role.
Rather than relying on traditional applicant channels alone, the search strategy focused heavily on proactive scientific headhunting and targeted identification of highly specialized research and innovation talent.
The assignment centered around identifying individuals with advanced scientific credentials, innovation leadership capability, and strong research contributions within relevant scientific and regulated sectors.
The engagement involved targeted outreach, scientific leadership evaluation, and close collaboration with organizational leadership throughout the search process.
The Search Strategy
KIRAH conducted extensive targeted outreach across pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, cannabis research, formulation sciences, academic research environments, and regulated product development sectors throughout Canada.
The search process involved direct headhunting initiatives focused on highly specialized scientific talent pools and innovation driven leadership profiles.
A significant component of the search strategy involved the evaluation of peer reviewed scientific publications, research contributions, and advanced academic credentials within relevant scientific disciplines.
The process focused on identifying PhD level scientific leaders whose research, innovation capability, and technical expertise aligned with Zenabis’ long term product development objectives.
Candidates were evaluated beyond scientific credentials alone.
The assessment process focused heavily on innovation leadership capability, product commercialization understanding, scientific communication, strategic thinking, research depth, adaptability, and organizational alignment.
Particular emphasis was placed on identifying a leader capable of contributing to both immediate product development initiatives and long term innovation strategy.
The Appointment
The search resulted in the successful appointment of Dr. Kyle Boniface as Director of Product Development and Innovation for Zenabis.
Dr. Boniface was identified through a targeted scientific headhunting process that included extensive peer reviewed research evaluation and specialized outreach within PhD level scientific communities.
He brought strong scientific expertise, innovation leadership capability, and research driven product development experience aligned with the organization’s evolving growth and innovation objectives.
His ability to bridge scientific research, product strategy, and innovation execution positioned him effectively within Zenabis’ leadership infrastructure during an important stage of organizational and industry evolution.
The Outcome
Strengthened Innovation Leadership
Supported the appointment of a scientific innovation leader capable of contributing strategically across research, product development, and innovation initiatives.
Enhanced Research and Development Capability
Helped strengthen organizational product innovation infrastructure within a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry environment.
Specialized Scientific Headhunting Execution
Delivered a targeted leadership search process focused on advanced scientific and innovation driven talent identification.
Long Term Product Innovation Alignment
Identified leadership capability aligned with the organization’s research, product development, and long term innovation objectives.
Key Search Metrics
National Scientific Leadership Search
Targeted outreach conducted across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, cannabis sciences, research institutions, and innovation focused sectors throughout Canada.
PhD Level Scientific Evaluation
Comprehensive assessment focused on research capability, peer reviewed scientific contributions, innovation leadership, and organizational alignment.
Specialized Headhunting Strategy
Search execution included proactive outreach and targeted scientific talent mapping beyond traditional recruitment channels.
Successful Leadership Placement
Completed the successful placement of Dr. Kyle Boniface as Director of Product Development and Innovation supporting Zenabis’ scientific and innovation leadership objectives.