R&D Technician - 1St Shift Sparks

Job Overview

This role involves locating and gathering raw materials, preparing sample mixes, setting up pilot plant equipment, performing preventative maintenance, conducting various tests, assisting with packaging and stability studies, maintaining organization, and ensuring compliance with safety and GMP requirements.

• Locate and gather raw materials needed from different locations, follow inventory control procedures, and prepare QCW transfer sheets.
• Prepare sample mixes for tablets, capsules, and liquid formulations using PK blender, ribbon blender, homogenizer, paddle mixer, or other equivalent equipment.
• Set up pilot plant tablet press and encapsulator for experimental new product runs and for troubleshooting existing ones.
• Perform preventative maintenance of tablet press, encapsulator, and related tools and accessories.
• Conduct various tests including density, sieve analysis, pH, hardness, friability, brix, viscosity, thickness and length measurements, and organoleptic evaluations.
• Help prepare and package representative batches for AET and stability studies.
• Assist in various packaging tests, including vacuum, freeze‑thaw, and heat.
• Maintain organization and housekeeping activities in the pilot plant.
• Identify and submit suggestions to improve efficiencies, quality, and safety.
• Comply with safety and GMP requirements.

Supports a culture of safe laboratory operations and exhibits safe work practices. Actively participates in the safety program by engaging in safety activities, providing and accepting constructive peer‑to‑peer feedback on safety performance, adhering to policies, procedures, SOPs, safe work practices, and safety policies. Reports all workplace incidents to supervisor immediately. Communicates concerns to supervisor, reports hazards, and provides input on prevention.

Properly uses, wears, and stores Personal Protective Equipment when required. Participates on safety teams and/or completes safety‑related activities as part of regular job responsibilities.

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 will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate’s degree in chemistry, science, or engineering with relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably food or pharmaceuticals, preferred.
• Previous laboratory experience preferred, with understanding of GLPs and GMPs.

Ability to read and interpret documents such as product specifications, departmental instructions, safety and procedure manuals. Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to accurately complete sanitation/production paperwork.

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, averages, ratios, proportions, and the metric system to practical situations.

Able to compare results obtained to specifications to determine if the result meets requirements. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions. Good problem‑solving skills.

• Basic computer skills required.
• Familiarity with tableting and encapsulation preferred.
• Ability to learn quickly, work independently, change tasks frequently, and assume responsibility for new tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, including ability to partner effectively with the Production team.
• Availability to work extended hours to support the business, including off‑shifts and weekends.

• Ascend and descend steps carrying up to 35 lbs.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist height.
• Lift up to 50 lbs. from waist to shoulder.
• Push and pull to generate force for 42 lbs. force at 36-inch height.
• Push and pull to generate force of 65 lbs. at 36-inch height.
• Grasp 60# force.

• Works around ingredients such as vitamins, minerals,…