Research And Development Associate

The R&D Associate I is an entry-level R&D support role responsible for assisting with sample preparation, ingredient handling, documentation, work‑area readiness, and basic product‑development support under the direction of the R&D Manager. This role supports PMAD's ability to develop, sample, document, and commercialize private‑label and white‑label products safely, accurately, and on time. The Level 1 Associate is expected to follow instructions carefully, maintain clean and controlled work practices, protect confidential formulas and customer information, and build the technical skills needed to support PMAD's R&D function.

• Assist with preparation of R&D samples, prototypes, bench batches, trial materials, and customer samples under the direction of the R&D Manager or other authorized leader.
• Weigh, measure, stage, label, mix, package, and organize ingredients, materials, packaging components, and samples according to approved instructions.
• Support R&D work across applicable PMAD product formats, including gummies, center‑fill products, blister products, liquid fills, powders, chocolates, and other PMAD-supported product lines.
• Assist with taste, texture, color, appearance, packaging, and process observations when requested.
• Prepare sample labels, sample kits, retains, photos, and customer sample materials as assigned.
• Do not change formulas, ingredients, process steps, labels, packaging, equipment settings, or customer instructions unless directed and approved by authorized PMAD personnel.

• Complete assigned R&D records, sample logs, ingredient logs, batch notes, checklists, labels, photos, tracker updates, and other documentation accurately, legibly, completely, and on time.
• Record weights, lot numbers, expiration or retest dates, sample identifiers, observations, process notes, and other required information at the time work is performed.
• Support organization of formula files, sample records, customer approvals, sensory feedback, test results, development notes, and other R&D documentation as assigned.
• Use PMAD's designated systems for R&D tracking, documentation, communication, and project visibility, including Replit or any successor system implemented by the Company.
• Immediately report missing instructions, unclear formulas, documentation errors, mismatched labels, incorrect ingredients, or incomplete approvals.

• Stage, organize, label, and return ingredients, packaging components, sample materials, utensils, tools, and supplies according to PMAD procedures and supervisor instructions.
• Check material identity, lot information, expiration or retest dates, allergen or cross‑contact considerations, and quality status before using materials, when trained and authorized to do so.
• Assist with maintaining R&D ingredient inventory, sample inventory, lab supplies, packaging materials, and replenishment requests.
• Keep samples, formulas, retains, ingredients, and customer‑specific materials protected from contamination, mix‑ups, damage, loss, unauthorized access, or unauthorized use.
• Support proper segregation, labeling, storage, and disposal of R&D materials, samples, waste, or work‑inprocess as directed by the R&D Manager, QA/QC, or PMAD procedures.

• Follow approved SOPs, cGMP expectations, hygiene, gowning, PPE, sanitation, allergen or cross‑contact controls, equipment‑use instructions, safety rules, and supervisor or Quality instructions.
• Clean and sanitize assigned work areas, utensils, equipment, tools, containers, and sample‑preparation areas before, during, and after R&D work as required.
• Operate only equipment, tools, or systems for which the employee has been trained and authorized.
• Report spills, injuries, near misses, equipment problems, contamination risks, quality concerns, ingredient concerns, labeling concerns, formula concerns, or documentation issues promptly.
• Never bypass safety devices, quality checks, sanitation steps, documentation requirements, material controls, or QA/QC holds.
• Cross‑Functional Support and…