Product Development Technologist

This full-time role focuses on developing new products, optimizing existing ones, and onboarding transfers. The candidate will collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain/Purchasing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Account Managers, and Accounting/Finance teams.

Responsibilities

• Apply food science principles and ingredient functionality while considering safety, regulatory constraints, stability, shelf-life, storage, scalability, cost, certifications, and customer-defined guidelines.
• Transition formulations from lab-scale to full-scale production, managing technical aspects from benchtop through commercialization and post-launch support.
• Optimize formulation and stability of finished goods from physical, chemical, and sensory perspectives.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to develop and launch new products and support existing ones.
• Prioritize and coordinate internal activities to meet customer and business needs promptly.
• Apply stage-gate or design control processes to deliver optimal solutions and manage workload.
• Utilize knowledge of packaging technologies and their impact on shelf life, stability, and product performance.
• Develop products across various regulatory frameworks, including animal food, dietary supplements, medicated feeds, and pharmaceuticals.
• Evaluate and propose alternative raw materials for improved processing or cost savings.
• Assist in root cause analysis for customer complaints with Operations and Quality Assurance.
• Ensure customer quality and product specification requirements are met during development or improvement.
• Draft formulas, processing instructions, raw material specifications, in-process specifications, finished goods specifications, and packaging specifications.
• Communicate technical issues and project status to internal and external stakeholders.
• Report project progress and escalate critical issues in a timely manner.
• Maintain curiosity for understanding complex food systems from physical and chemical perspectives.
• Maintain a clean and safe manufacturing and product development environment.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and Product Quality and Safety guidelines during development and commercialization.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Product Development Manager.

Requirements

• Minimum BS in Food Science, Food Engineering, Food and Nutrition, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, or related field. Advanced degree is a plus.
• 3–5 years of product development experience within a manufacturing environment.
• 1+ years of experience in extrusion technology, pellet mill technology, or pet food formulation (preferred).
• Manufacturing experience in food (or pet food), dietary supplement, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Critical thinker with creative problem-solving abilities.
• Self-starter comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and building processes from the ground up.

Skills

• Formulation leadership for pellets, powders, and chews.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Knowledge of industry trends, customer base, and internal capabilities.
• Cross-functional collaboration.

Working Conditions

• Work in a pilot lab and manufacturing environment with exposure to powders (dust), moisture, odors, and noise.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds occasionally.

Schedule

Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (occasional early mornings).

Benefits

• Affordable benefits effective the 1st of the month.
• 401K match program.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Paid Time Off (PTO).
• Career development opportunities.