R&D SPECIALIST I - 2ND SHIFT (SPARKS, NV)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Formulates and/or re-formulates existing products with the simplest and most cost-effective formulations that can be manufactured efficiently based on the priorities of meeting profitability objectives, company deadlines, operating budget responsibilities, and company goals.
• Supports manufacturing by providing technical troubleshooting in situations where corrective action is required to increase efficiencies, rectifies product deviations, resolves quality problems, and works out production difficulties.
• Coincides, develops and evaluates existing formulas to ensure that they are compliant with NOW specifications.
• Inputs information into Oracle in the form of bill of materials, specifications, and manufacturing instructions.
• Works directly with Pilot Plant equipment as needed for product trials, production troubleshooting, and other related activities assigned.
• Completes and evaluates product approval packages for final review by appropriate managers.
• Performs tests on new and existing raw materials in order to provide information needed to determine whether to accept or reject based on parameters set forth by manufacturing capabilities.
• Reviews manufacturing processes, determining where improvements could be implemented in terms of product quality to contribute towards the success of the company.
• Follows all company requirements related to standard operating procedures and change control procedures.
• Complies with safety and GMP requirements.

Safety Statement Responsibility

• Safeguards a culture of safe production and operations; adheres to all safety rules and procedures.
• Engages in training activities to learn what constitutes a safety hazard; reports safety concerns to the supervisor, submits safety suggestions, and corrects or reports to the appropriate people when an employee sees a workplace health or safety hazard, until it is resolved.
• Aids in communicating safety information to new employees.
• Fulfills responsibilities as outlined in the company safety management plan.

Qualifications

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s of Science degree in Food Science; or minimum of two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Other Skills and Abilities: Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office required. Familiarity with tableting and encapsulation preferred. Food or pharmaceutical industry experience and experience with gluten-free products a plus.
• Reasoning Abilities: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Physical Demands: The employee is frequently be exposed to vapors, powders and/or herbal aromas. This position works in all areas of NOW’s manufacturing facilities with direct exposure to ingredients (powders and liquids), mixes (powders and liquids), equipment, and packaging.