Project Leader Research & Development

Work at Simmons•Siloam Springs, AR

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Leads identification, recommendation and qualification of process/formulation development capabilities needed to meet project success criteria and deliver industry-leading innovation. Connects and integrates internal and external process/formulation capabilities to develop solutions, build product platforms, optimize existing processes/formulations and/or create new capabilities. This is a Salary Exempt position. The role involves being a Product/Process Champion, fitting new customers into existing products or developing line extensions/improvements. It requires meeting with customers to define project scope, assisting in target brand evaluation, and demonstrating leadership in process/product design with strong communication skills. Pilot scale equipment is utilized for high-risk projects to minimize company liability. Close collaboration with customer or supplier technical representatives is expected, potentially involving test coordination. Maintaining scientific competence through attending technical meetings to identify new opportunities is also a key aspect. The role encompasses the full product development cycle, including conceptual development, formulation, implementation, process validation, and continuous management. It involves working closely with technical staff of customers or suppliers, potentially mentoring junior and senior scientists. New processes/products are developed, bench tested, scaled-up, and commercialized according to project briefs, considering attributes, development costs, finished product costs, and timing. The position requires demonstrating process/product and project ownership to ensure parameter optimization. Plant tests are scheduled and supported during commissioning, with the ability to develop contingency plans. Process characteristics and product formulations are reviewed across products and plants to identify simplification and cost-saving opportunities. Suggestions for improvements are made to supervisors and senior operations management. Patent reviews are conducted to ensure no infringement. For process-related focus, participation in new equipment calibration for processing rate optimization is required. Alternate suppliers of manufacturing and product evaluation equipment are screened, with recommendations made based on strengths and weaknesses. New equipment is qualified through Equipment Verification studies (IQ, OQ, PQ protocols). Online equipment validation is participated in for early detection of process errors and quality issues. Pilot plant tests are conducted internally or at supplier facilities to verify new process/formulation capabilities. For product-related focus, existing product formulation approaches are used to ensure nutritional adequacy and compliance with label and nutrition claims, applying statistical data from key raw materials. A label deck is developed from a master formula, considering all potential processing locations. Products are submitted for analytical or animal testing as required, with results summarized. Participation in project teams evaluating product non-conformance is expected. Information is collected and analyzed to assess raw material/process interactions. The role supports supply chain initiatives, including formula transfer, new supplier evaluation, and raw material usage adjustments. Project Manager, R&D evaluation of processing parameters is also a responsibility. Process/product evaluation testing is assisted as required. Knowledge of critical process points is developed in conjunction with the process engineering group. Summaries of previous tests and processing conditions are provided for troubleshooting and data interpretation. Project portfolio management is conducted according to supervisor directives, with project updates issued and supervisors alerted to potential issues. Final project reports are issued as requested. Participation as a member of the Team is crucial, involving ongoing development, communication, and implementation of team concepts, programs, and policies. Work is coordinated to ensure B.E.S.T practices with all team members. Team meetings are attended, and strong cohesiveness is fostered regarding major issues. Responsibility is accepted to quickly identify and address areas lacking cohesiveness, working supportively with the team leader and members to resolve issues and achieve synergy. Project Leaders may have Research Technicians and/or interns reporting to them. Familiarity with Simmons’ established operating systems (quality, security, office environment, company policies) is expected, understanding the responsibility to maintain this familiarity and the position's role in supporting these systems, including the impact of individual actions and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas. Other duties as necessary in support of business objectives may be assigned. Commitment to quality and continuous improvement is essential.

Requirements

5 years experience in product development and technical services is required, particularly in pet food.
Experience requirements are commensurate with education.
Experience in commercial product and/or process development is required.
Must have excellent computer skills with respect to the Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong data entry skills are required.
Intermediate to advanced level skills in Excel and PowerPoint as well as experience preparing documents for presentation.
Must have leadership qualities and flexibility with respect to job requirements.
Knowledge of specific requirements in the United States is essential for successful job performance.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of animal nutrition and food formulation and thermal process is highly desirable.
Experience with Concept 5 and/or AutoCad is a plus.
R&D knowledge/experience in food or pet food preferred.
Experience in commercial product development and in the food and pet food industry is desirable.
Knowledge of food science, animal nutrition and food formulation is a plus.
A working knowledge of current food and pet food regulations in various countries is highly desirable.
Should have a working knowledge of process mapping.

Responsibilities

Leads identification, recommendation and qualification of process/formulation development capabilities needed to meet project success criteria and deliver industry-leading innovation.
Connects and integrates internal and external process/formulation capabilities to develop solutions, build product platforms, optimize existing processes/formulations and/or create new capabilities.
Fits new customers into our existing array of products or develops line extensions or process/product improvements for existing customers.
Meets with customers, independent of supervisor, and with sales account manager to define scope of new projects.
Assists in the evaluation of target brand evaluation and monitoring efforts.
Demonstrates leadership qualities with respect to process/product design capabilities with strong communication skills.
Utilizes pilot scale equipment for high risk projects in order to minimize company liability.
Works closely with customer or supplier technical representatives and may involve test coordination based on equipment availability.
Maintains competence as a scientist by attending technical meetings to identify new opportunities with respect to processes/products.
Competent in the full length of the product development cycle and larger scale projects, including conceptual development, formulation, implementation, process validation and continuous management and improvement.
Works closely with the technical staff of customers or suppliers, often mentoring junior and senior scientists.
Develops, bench tests, scales-up, and commercializes new processes/products in accordance with guidelines established in the project brief; factors include process/product attributes as well as development costs, finished product costs, and timing.
Demonstrates process/product and project ownership to ensure that all parameters are optimized.
Schedules and supports plant tests throughout the commissioning phase, with the ability to develop contingency plans as needed.
Reviews process characteristics and/or product formulations across products and plants and identify opportunities to simplify the system and/or capitalize on cost savings opportunities.
Makes suggestions to the supervisor and, if applicable, senior operations management regarding potential improvements.
Reviews patents to ensure no infringement occurs.
Participates in the calibration of new equipment with respect to metering for processing rate optimization purposes.
Screens alternate suppliers of manufacturing and product evaluation equipment, summarizes strengths and weaknesses of each option and makes recommendations, accordingly.
Qualifies new equipment by conducting Equipment Verification studies which include Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) and long-term Performance Qualification (PQ) Protocols.
Participates in online equipment validation, allowing early detection of process errors and product quality issues.
Conducts pilot plant tests internally or at supplier facilities in order to verify new process/formulation capabilities.
Utilizes existing product formulation approach to assure finished product nutritional adequacy (label and nutrition claim), applying statistical data from key raw materials.
Develops a label deck from a master formula which considers all potential processing locations.
Submits products for analytical or animal testing as required by supervisor and summarizes results.
Participates as a member of project teams that evaluate product non-conformance incidence with processes/products under their responsibility.
Collects and analyzes information as required to analyze raw material/process interactions.
Leads supply chain initiatives including formula transfer among plants, evaluation of new suppliers of raw materials, increased or decreased use of existing raw materials and Project Manager, R&D evaluation of processing parameters.
Assists in process/product evaluation testing as required by supervisor.
Develops knowledge of critical process points in conjunction with the process engineering group.
Summarizes results of previous tests and sequential processing conditions or runs for a particular formula to assist in troubleshooting and data interpretation.
Manages the project portfolio in accordance with the supervisor's overall directive.
Issues project updates and alerts supervisor of circumstances which may impact ability to deliver desired results.
Issues project final reports, as requested.
Participates in ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure B.E.S.T practices with all team members.
Attends appropriate team meetings.
As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc.
Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforces actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.
Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives.