Technician, Research & Development

See’s Candies • Los Angeles, CA

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Research & Development (R&D) Technician supports R&D management in developing new confectionary and candy products, testing new ingredients, and reformulating current products to improve product attributes and processes and/or to comply to new regulations. This is a hands-on, on-site position located at See’s Candies South San Francisco Manufacturing Plant.

Requirements

• 1 - 2 years experience in technical support, product development, manufacturing, engineering or other relevant category of food manufacturing/consumer goods industry.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Proactive and attention to details.
• Basic computer skills required, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams.
• Must adhere to strict food production and hygiene protocols, including wearing hairnets, gloves, non-slip shoes, as appropriate.
• Able to safely work around food products, which may include common allergens such as nuts, peanuts, and dairy.
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Previous technician and/or Summer Intern experience(s) at a consumer goods/food industry company is a plus.
• Laboratory or product development bench work experience in food and beverage industry is a plus.
• Familiarity with food and beverage sensory testing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance and support benchtop and plant trials under direction of R&D management.
• Collect trial samples for evaluation and record trial data.
• Provide documentation support through accurate data gathering and entry into technical documents such as specifications, JobAids, and related documents.
• Support entry of recipes/formulations into ERP/software system.
• Support sensory and/or laboratory analyses and testing through preparing and labeling samples, scheduling sensory tests, and distributing confectionary and candy samples.
• Utilize the digital sensory evaluation platform (e.g., RedJade) to design and execute studies, including setting up evaluations and extracting statistically-sound data analyses to support product development decisions.
• Assist R&D management with data gathering and recording of processing settings from confectionery production lines.
• Coordinate the storage of samples under direction of R&D management.
• Participate in the sensory evaluations, as appropriate, under the direction of R&D management.
• Timely communicate task/project updates to appropriate stakeholders.
• Attend and participate in operational and project meetings, as appropriate.
• Follow all company, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Accommodate flexibility on rare occasions to work outside standard business hours to support trial & production schedules.

Benefits

• medical
• financial
• 401(k) eligibility
• vacation
• sick time
• parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed