R&D Technician I

Description: Duties and Responsibilities Support the R&D team with sample preparation, lab organization, documentation, and routine technical support activities under direct guidance. Prepare, repack, label, and assemble product samples for internal needs, customer requests, trade shows, product showings, and meetings using approved instructions. Gather ingredients, packaging, and materials for bench-top work, sample requests, and product evaluations. Perform ingredient weighing, basic batch preparation, routine sample testing, and simple product evaluations as directed by R&D team members. Record observations, weights, processing notes, lot details, sensory comments, and test results accurately in approved logs, forms, or systems. Maintain R&D coolers, ingredient storage areas, packaging supplies, retain areas, and lab workspaces in a clean, organized, and safe condition. Support scheduled cooler cleaning, sanitation, and retain-cycle activities, including the 4- to 6-month retain cooler cycle. Monitor basic inventory of ingredients, packaging, lab supplies, and sample materials and communicate shortages promptly. Use ERP and internal systems to retrieve ingredient, packaging, formula, BOM, and finished product information as trained. Follow GMP, sanitation, food safety, safety, sample traceability, and company procedures; escalate questions or issues promptly.

Qualifications & Experience: High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree, technical coursework, or demonstrated interest in food science, culinary, biology, chemistry, or a related field preferred. oyear of experience in food manufacturing, R&D, QA, production, laboratory, culinary, or another technical environment preferred. Basic Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to learn ERP and internal systems used to access product, ingredient, packaging, formula, and BOM information. Valid driver license required for local travel between buildings, facilities, stores, or other company-related locations as needed. Competencies/Skills Executional excellence, reliability, personal accountability, and willingness to learn. Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions, procedures, and safety expectations. Basic organization and time management across sample, lab, and documentation tasks. Clear written and verbal communication with R&D and cross-functional partners. Team-oriented approach and willingness to assist with routine R&D activities.