R & D Technician

SUMMARY The R&D Technician is primarily responsible for supporting all aspects of product development. This includes, but not limited to analytical tests, facilitating raw material, WIP, and finished goods evaluations, coordinating day-to-day project tasks and providing administrative support.  The position is also responsible for supporting plant trials, obtaining ingredient and/or product samples, sample preparation and shipment of samples.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Evaluates raw materials and/or finished products for sensory attributes, total moisture, water activity, Brix, texture, particle size (sieve analysis), pH, viscosity, etc.
• Supports the R&D Team in with benchtop, and/or plant trials
• With support and direction from team and department manager, develops formulations for benchtop, and/or plant trials in pursuit of building knowledge and confidence in the areas of ingredient functionality, formulation, processing, etc.
• Support the R&D team with opening and closing of Test MO’s (material orders).
• Supports the R&D team with collecting in-process data during scale-up (plant) trials: temperature, mixing times, Brix, pH, piece weights, piece diameters, uncooked starch, process dry cycles at all level of processing (e.g. A-level, B-level, D-level, G-level, and occasional at packaging)
• Prepares potential flavor and other raw materials for initial screening and evaluation and published data/results.
• Gathers and prepares samples for stability testing in accordance with FSQS 2.3.1.6 Stability Testing protocol, and ensures that all items are tested and remain on-schedule.
• Responsible for following batch instructions to ensure appropriate materials are measured, blended and mixed
• Coordinates sensory evaluations and product reviews related to new products, process improvements, formulation modifications, etc.
• Maintains all bench-top laboratory equipment in working order including ensuring all equipment is properly calibrated, and notifies manager if any equipment is not working improperly or needs replacement.
• Assists R&D manager with the evaluation, testing, and drafting of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all lab equipment
• Maintains assigned work area and production environment in clean and orderly condition.
• Actively participates in team and cross-functional meetings as appropriate with marketing, operations, planning, and purchasing.
• Maintains and tracks inventory of all  lab equipment, raw materials, and finished product samples on department’s inventory spreadsheet
• Manage all aspects of sample shipment as needed for specified projects and customers, including labeling, logging, and generating shipping confirmation communications.
• Coordinates, and organizes, R&D’s retain samples program, and coordinates cleaning and purging as necessary
• Supports the monitoring of first production runs, and as appropriate subsequent production runs as necessary. Supports team in providing feedback for optimization.
• Occasional weekend and off shift work will be required.
• Other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned.

Inherent in each position is a general duty to maintain each respective work area in a safe and sanitary condition.  Regular, predictable, full-time attendance is required as an essential function of this position.  The employee may be required to perform other such duties within the scope of their employment as may be assigned.  The employee must also possess the ability to take direction, follow instructions, work with others, follow work rules and schedules, and focus on details.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES No supervisory responsibilities exist in this position.

QUALIFICATIONS  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE  Bachelor’s degree from a four year college or university (preferably in Food Science, Nutrition, or Chemistry) with one to three years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

**All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.**

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