R&D TECHNICIAN I - 1ST SHIFT (SPARKS, NV)

About the role

This position supports R&D Supervisors and R&D Specialists on developmental product assignments. It involves collecting, interpreting, and recording relevant research and data, operating and maintaining lab equipment, and managing laboratory supplies.

Responsibilities

• Locates and gathers raw materials needed from different locations, follows inventory control procedures, and prepares QCW transfer sheets.
• Prepares sample mixes for tablets, capsules, and liquid formulations using PK blender, ribbon blender, homogenizer, paddle mixer, or other equivalent equipment.
• Sets up pilot plant tablet press and encapsulator for experimental new product runs and for troubleshooting existing ones.
• Performs preventative maintenance of tablet press, encapsulator, and related tools and accessories.
• Performs various tests including density, sieve analysis, pH, hardness, friability, brix, viscosity, thickness and length measurements, and organoleptic.
• Helps prepare and package representative batches for AET and stability studies.
• Assists in various packaging tests, including vacuum, freeze-thaw, and heat.
• Responsible for organization and housekeeping activities in the pilot plant.
• Identifies and submits suggestions to improve efficiencies, quality and safety.
• Complies with safety and GMP requirements.

Safety Responsibility Statement

Supports a culture of safe laboratory operations and exhibits safe work practices. Actively participates in the safety program by engaging in safety activities. Effectively provides and accepts constructive peer-to-peer feedback on safety performance. Adheres to policies, procedures, SOP’s, safe work practices, and safety policies and procedures. 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Education and Experience

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Reasoning Ability

• Able to compare results obtained to specifications to determine if the result meets requirements.
• Able to interpret a variety of instructions.
• Able to solve problems.

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 skills.
• 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.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to handle testing equipment, raw materials and finished products, tools, or controls and reach, ascend and/or descend stairs, balance, or stoop.
• The employee will regularly use a computer and communicate in person.
• The employee will regularly taste or smell (products and raw materials).
• The employee is regularly required to move from place to place within the facility.

Work Environment

• Works around ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanicals, etc. and chemicals such as alcohol, that may require respiratory protection.
• May be exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals and biological materials.
• Frequently exposed to all of the FDA designated major food allergens (Milk, Eggs, Fish, Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp), Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans), Wheat and Soybeans, except for peanuts).
• When working in Production/Pilot Plant, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud, and in some areas where louder hearing protection is required.