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R&D Lab Technician

Actalent • Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 • Posted 11 days ago

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In-person • Full-time • Junior Level

Job Highlights

Using AI ⚡ to summarize the original job post

The R&D Lab Technician at Actalent is responsible for carrying out new product development projects, including developing samples, setting up tasting sessions, evaluating ingredients, and providing technical support. This role involves close collaboration with the Food Scientist and other cross-functional teams to support product development, ingredient sourcing, and maintaining a filing system for new ingredients. The position requires a blend of technical skills, analytical abilities, and teamwork to ensure optimal product solutions and compliance.

Responsibilities

  • Assist the Food Scientist in preparing product samples, including recipe preparation, mixing, baking, and evaluation of benchwork samples.
  • Attend factory on-site test productions to provide guidance in the product manufacturing process.
  • Prepare and attend product reviews, sensory sampling, and cuttings to replicate end user experience.
  • Assist the Food Scientist in locating new ingredients, procuring samples, and completing documents.
  • Evaluate, procure, retain, and trial samples for qualitative, sensory, and quantifiable elements.
  • Develop and maintain a filing system for new ingredients.
  • Maintain, stock, and replenish ingredients as needed.
  • Conduct regular cycle counting and inventory of R&D ingredients.
  • Organize and maintain Raw Ingredient storage locations.
  • Receive ingredient COAs from ingredient vendors and maintain according to process.
  • Organize, track, and retain product samples in frozen or ambient storage.
  • Communicate with plant management, vendors, and internal cross-functional departments.
  • Perform analytical equipment calibrations and schedule periodical lab equipment calibration and Preventative Maintenance.
  • Assist the Food Scientists in preparing and dispatching technical documents.
  • Assist Product Developers in researching and compiling information.
  • Prepare documentation associated with department needs including meeting minutes and customer correspondence.
  • Work as a team and collaborate with vendors, internal and external customers.
  • Provide input on process, product or formulation to aid in optimal product solutions.
  • Stay current on trends, equipment, and techniques.
  • Initiate label requests and maintain an efficient document filing system.
  • Assist with maintaining the office including laboratory / kitchen and storage in professional appearance.
  • Prepare package shipments, coordinate incoming and outgoing deliveries.

Qualifications

Required

  • 1-2 years working experience in Product Development or Quality Control / Assurance in the Food Industry or 5+ years of baking experience.
  • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages.
  • Knowledgeable in use of computer and software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and online search engines.
  • Ability to operate various analytical lab equipment including lab scale, pH meter, refractometer, viscometer, Aw meter, moisture analyzer.
  • Ability to use lab baking a cooking equipment such as proofers, sheeters, ovens and mixers.

Preferred

  • Team player and communicative
  • Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
  • Must be able to taste test samples

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions, connecting companies with experts in various industries. They offer a wide range of engineering and sciences services, tailored to meet each client's unique needs, in industries like aerospace, defense, consumer products, life sciences, transportation, utilities, and construction. Actalent believes in the power of people and focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion while providing rewarding career opportunities.

Full Job Description

We're looking for a R&D Lab Technician who will be responsible for carrying out new product development projects including developing samples, setting up tasting sessions, evaluating ingredients, preparing correspondence and technical support duties, preparing various documents as well as supporting any other R&D and cross functional teams.

Essential responsibilities include but not be limited to:

- Assist the Food Scientist in preparing product samples to include prepare and follow product recipes; mix; proof; bake; weigh; and perform evaluation of benchwork samples.

- Attend factory on-site test productions. Provide guidance in product manufacturing process to verify compliance and obtain optimal samples from scheduled plant trials.

- Prepare and attend product reviews, sensory sampling and cuttings to replicate end user experience.

- Assist the Food Scientist in locating new ingredients, procuring samples and completion of documents.

- Evaluate, procure, retain and trial samples for qualitative, sensory and quantifiable elements.

- Develop and maintain a filing system for new ingredients.

- Maintain, stock, and replenish ingredients as needed.

- Conduct regular cycle counting and inventory of R&D ingredients.

- Organize and maintain Raw Ingredient storage locations.

- Receive ingredient COAs from ingredient vendors and maintain according to process.

- Organize, track and retain product samples in frozen or ambient storage.

- Promptly and professionally communicate with plant management, vendors and internal cross-functional departments including scheduling, process and results, as appropriate.

- Perform analytical equipment calibrations. Schedule periodical lab equipment calibration and Preventative Maintenance.

- Assist the Food Scientists in preparing and dispatching technical documents within the organization.

- Communicate and collect technical documents from ingredient suppliers and the plants.

- File and update documents as necessary (i.e. ingredients, formulas / raw & finished product specification data etc.)

- Assist Product Developers in researching subjects, compiling information, and answering technical questions from customers.

- Prepare documentation associated with department needs including meeting minutes and customer correspondence.

- Work as a team; collaborate with vendors, internal and external customers.

- Provide input on process, product or formulation to aid in optimal product solutions.

- Stay current on trends, equipment and techniques including attending professional education as appropriate.

- Initiate label requests.

- Organize and maintain an efficient document filing system.

- Assist with maintaining the office including laboratory / kitchen and storage in professional appearance.

- Prepare package shipments, coordinate incoming and outgoing deliveries.

Qualifications:

+ 1-2 years working experience in Product Development or Quality Control / Assurance in the Food Industry or 5+ years of baking experience.

+ Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages.

+ Knowledgeable in use of computer and software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and online search engines.

+ Ability to operate various analytical lab equipment including lab scale, pH meter, refractometer, viscometer, Aw meter, moisture analyzer.

+ Ability to use lab baking a cooking equipment such as proofers, sheeters, ovens and mixers.

Requirements:

+ Team player and communicative

+ Attention to detail and problem-solving skills

+ Must be able to taste test samples

If interested, please contact Laura Mazzolini directly at email lmazzoli @actalentservices.com or (847) 273-2782

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:

+ Hiring diverse talent

+ Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection

+ Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes

+ Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.