Technician, Research & Development

See's Candies•Los Angeles, CA

2d•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. The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $26- $28 per hour; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

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. Support tasks include (but not limited to) collecting trial samples for evaluation and recording 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.