R&D Manager

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversee the daily workflow and schedule of the R&D team members.
• Provide hands on mentoring and guidance to grow the skillset and knowledge of the department.
• Conduct performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
• Works closely with Human Resources Manager to handle discipline, counseling/coaching and termination of employees to ensure in accordance with company policy and state/federal laws.

• Assists the R&D Director in managing R&D projects, and qualifying raw materials within the firm's Supplier Quality Program.
• Creates, develops and publishes compliant Nutrition Facts Panels. Includes domestic compliance with 21 CFR Parts 100 to 169, & Part 111 referring to the cGMPs for Dietary Supplements, NLEA, & DSHEA.
• Assists in developing and publishing MRPs associated with POs received, validate the item's correct and updated formula and communicate MRP ordering requirements to the Purchasing Manager.
• Develops new items designed for commercialization.
• Researches and study different ingredients and their functionalities while developing new formulas and planning laboratory trials.
• Creates and plans testing procedures regarding raw materials and finished product analytical testing to meet label claims and shelf-life.
• Develops raw material specification sheets, finished product specification sheets, and master manufacturing formulas and procedures.
• Performs all necessary sensory, organoleptic, short and long term shelf life testing on the items. Use third party laboratories for validation as necessary.
• Performs benchtop trials and produces laboratory trials of R & D formulations.
• Maintains R & D Laboratory which includes overall cleanliness and management of samples and raw material inventory.
• Attends yearly tradeshows including SSW, IFT and Expo West. Meets with existing/potential customers and presents capabilities of future projects as well as maintenance of existing product lines.
• Presents and ships samples of existing formulations to potential clients as requested.

• Every employee is responsible for Food Safety
• Writes Finished Product Specifications that meet customer requirements
• Writes Raw Material specifications for new items
• Carries out product development projects
• Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices and Pre-requisite programs including:

• Personnel Hygiene (including hand wash procedures)
• Personnel Processing Practices
• Allergen Procedures
• Food Defense Procedures
• Product Identification, Label/Lot Control procedures
• Waste Disposal procedures
• Foreign Matter Control

• Must report food safety and quality problems to personnel with authority to initiate action: SQF Practitioner, Quality Management, Plant/Production Management, or Supervisors

• Must be GMP trained
• BS Degree in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry or related fields
• 4+ years of experience managing others in a Supervisor or above job title
• 2+ years working with Dietary Supplements
• 2+ years working in food manufacturing, confectionery experience preferred
• Excellent verbal, written communication skills
• Bilingual in English and Spanish