Principal Product Development Engineer

Plant
288 Mazeppa Rd
Mooresville, NC 28115, USA

We believe being healthy should not require tradeoffs. SCN Best Co is a leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of Vitamin, Mineral & Supplement (VMS), Over-the-Counter (OTC) and prebiotics/probiotics in enjoyable forms such as gummies, lozenges and chews. With over 50 years of excellence, our team leads the way in changing how consumers make healthier choices. With unique food science expertise and proprietary processes, we’ve pioneered many firsts.

Our passion to create new to the world products has guided and continues to be core to our mission of making health and wellness more enjoyable. Come join us and become a part of our winning formula!

The Principal Product Development Engineer is a leader in designing novel confectionary based over the counter (OTC) drug and/or supplement products. This position requires an inquisitive nature paired with scientific methodology, enabling the development of robust line-ready formulations. The Principal Product Development Engineer must utilize strong communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of the organization and work in a fast-paced environment.

Additionally, a key responsibility in this role is mentoring junior scientists on confectionary product formulation and manufacturing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Seek new ingredients and technologies in pursuit of developing unique product offerings in confectionary OTC and/or supplement markets.
• Translate consumer needs into delightful, finished products that use the most appropriate technologies, chemicals, and materials.
• Prepare product samples, test, and analyze physical and sensory attributes to include texture, moisture, pH, and color analysis to develop a comprehensive data package.
• Execute Design of Experiments (DOEs) to assess critical attributes of ingredients, products and processes and capture, analyze, and report data with sound technical recommendations on product and/or processes.
• Develop strategic partnerships with external industry leaders and internal stakeholders to generate new and innovative opportunities.
• Engage with cross functional teams including quality, procurement, supply chain, and manufacturing to resolve issues that may arise in the course of new product development or existing product improvement.
• Ensure the development laboratory is operational; equipment is in working order, place work orders as required, maintain and order supplies, keep basic bulk ingredients on hand and order as required, work with developers to keep the lab area clean, confirm that samples and ingredients are properly stored, coordinate large laboratory projects with the development team.
• Participate in continuing education as required to expand technical knowledge base. Learn methods to improve formulation quality such as flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, convenience, or physical, chemical, and microbiological composition of foods.
• Engage with suppliers to stay current on market trends and ingredient solutions.
• Support knowledge capture and organizational knowledge growth via effective data summaries, reports, and presentations.
• Mentor peers and junior scientists on best practices and product knowledge.
• Determine best practices and recommend a path forward. Adapt processes, recognize issues to be resolved, build multiple solution paths, and proactively ensure alignment across multiple teams.

This position may be required to carry out People Leader Responsibilities in accordance with the Company’s policies and applicable laws.

Responsibilities include:

• Actively supervise, hire, train, schedule, coach, and develop assigned employees.
• Provide task direction to team members and On the Job Training (OJT) for new hires (Onboarding).
• Listen to team members’ feedback and resolve/report any issues or conflicts.
• Conduct performance reviews and manage individual performance.
• Recommend personnel actions (pay adjustments, promotions, transfers, terminations).
• Communicate personnel actions following Human Resources and Department Head approval.
• Ensure safety and quality standards are enforced and met.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bac…