Canadians LOVE chocolate! It comes as no surprise that in 2016, Statistics Canada reported that there were 327 chocolate and chocolate confectionery manufacturers in Canada. In 2015, Ontarians alone spent $942 million on those products.
For jobseekers, sweet positions are available at some of Canada’s best-known chocolate producers!
Ferrero
You might be familiar with this name if you have ever eaten Nutella. Ferrero is an Italian manufacturer of chocolate and confectionary and are best known for Ferrero Rocher, Nutella and Kinder Bueno. Ferrero has a massive manufacturing plant located in Brantford, Ontario which employs more than 1,000 people. Check out Yasmin’s inside scoop to learn about her experience during a company visit!
Foley’s Chocolate
Located in Vancouver, BC, Foley’s Chocolate is the largest chocolate manufacturer in Western Canada and one of the largest in the country. They manufacture dark, milk and white chocolate and compound coatings, and then processes these into a wide range of industrial chocolate ingredients, panned chocolate products and private label packaged goods. They have been around for more than 40 years!
Bloomer Chocolate Company
Bloomer Chocolate Company is the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier in North America. Their manufacturing plant is located in Campellford, Ontario but three others are also located in the United States. This plant is responsible for making drops, discs, bulk compound and specialty coating product.
Mondelez
Mondelez is a household brand known for it’s huge brand family which includes Cadbury, Oreo and Philadelphia Cream Cheese. The Cadbury factory which creates the iconic Caramilk bar is located surprisingly in Toronto, Ontario. The manufacturing plant is over 100 years old and employs 400 employees within the facility.
Laura Secord
Known as one of Canada’s most known beloved chocolate brands, Laura Secord Chocolates sells more than 400 products in all which include chocolate-covered nuts, fudge and ice cream. In 2013 the company opened a second chocolate factory in Quebec City and it is a 250, 000- square foot facility which produced 50 tons of chocolate a day.
The “crafty” side of chocolate
It is hard to ignore that the food industry is going through a revolution with the introduction of “craft” operations. The same is true for the chocolate industry with a rise in bean-to-bar manufacturers.
Here are some of Canada’s top small-scale chocolate makers:
Hummingbird
Would you believe me if I told you that the best chocolate in the world was made in Canada? Hummingbird Chocolate Maker won six awards at the Academy of Chocolate Awards for their bean-to-bar creations. The top prize went to their Hispaniola bar, an 70 percent cocao bar.
SOMA Chocolatemaker
This chocolate maker was established in 2003 and has three locations in Toronto, Ontario. SOMA is not just limited to chocolate but also creates truffles, gelato, cookies and so much more!
DesBarres Chocolate
An award-winning chocolate maker located in Uxbridge, Ontario. They produce single origin, bean to bar chocolate and were awarded gold in the Canadian National Competition for their Black Pepper Cardamon chocolate bar.
Sirene Artisian Chocolate
There are other chocolate stores not located in Ontario! This chocolate creator is located in Victoria, B.C and used cocoa directly from farmers in Africa and Central America. They won both awards at the International Chocolate Awards and the Academy of Chocolate Awards.
Types of jobs available in the chocolate industry
There are so many jobs in the industry which make for a sweet career! Here are just a few examples of chocolate-based jobs.
Chocolatier
Is an individual who makes chocolate or confectionary from chocolate. This is an umbrella term and can mean a lot of different things. A chocolatier might describe someone who makes chocolate sculptures, chocolate bars or even chocolate truffles. Typically, you would call anyone who works in a small craft chocolate shop a chocolatier.
Tour Guide
These individuals have exceptional customer service skills and provide excellent shopping and factory tour experiences. They provide educational tours for customers looking to learn more about products and the chocolate making process.
Fulfillment Assistant/Packager
When you order chocolate online and receive it in the mail there are people working in a warehouse fulfilling the order. Some individuals package the products in nice packaging and sign for incoming shipments from vendors. Warehouse jobs are integral to the food industry!
Production Supervisor
Did you know that the period before Christmas is the busiest time for chocolate companies? That’s why they need individuals who are experts at leading production and providing leadership for production staff. These professionals manage day-to-day operation to ensure store shelves are not empty with chocolate. You can read more about Production management jobs here.
Where to learn more about the industry
PMCA
PMCA is an international non-profit trade association of confectionery manufacturers and companies in related industries. The program is designed to engage youth in industry activities through participation in the annual production conference, where they have the opportunity to interact with industry professionals.
National Confectioners Association
The National Confectioners Association is the trade organization that advances, protects and promotes chocolate, candy, gum and mints, and the companies that make these special treats. The Young Professionals Network serves as a forum for NCA members, new and established, to collaborate and shape the future of the confectionery industry. Programs are designed to support the Association’s mission to advance the industry by providing young professionals opportunities for development and networking Future Leadership Program!
Federation of Cocoa Commerce
The central purpose and role of the Federation of Cocoa Commerce is to provide a comprehensive contractual and operational framework within which the interests of all sectors of the cocoa trade and industry. They also have a useful list of other cocoa associations. Check it out here.
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