The Senior R&D (Research and Development) Technologist will be responsible for development of new sports nutrition products, research of new ingredients applicable to the field of sports nutrition and its successful application in final product, sourcing of new raw materials, evaluation of flavours and new raw materials, compiling nutritional information for labelling of products, and driving innovation in the R&D team. They must be creative yet analytical thinkers and have excellent leadership and communication skills.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Food Processing / Manufacturing or related field.
- Minimum 3 years work experience in food development, food processes, food ingredient functionality and ingredient interactions.
- Minimum 3 years laboratory / bench top experience in a research food laboratory or product development environment.
- Minimum 3 years experience in use of laboratory analytical instrumentation, Lab Filtration system and scale equipment.
- Demonstrated project management skills and experience.
A detailed job description to be discussed with the successful candidate at commencement of the role. Basic responsibilities for the company will include: :
1) New product development
- Developing products from stipulated brief.
- Calculate theoretical and final costing of the new product.
- Sourcing of new raw materials.
- Resubmission of samples with feedback applied.
- Execute shelf life and stability testing of new products.
- Evaluating raw material submissions from suppliers.
- Research and application of new ingredients or ideas.
- Able to proactively identify needs and develop both internal and external resources to meet them.
- Leverage competitive set and competitor technology differences to provide competitive advantage and uniqueness.
- Able to analyse competitive products to ascertain processes and formulations.
- Remains well informed of state of the business in terms of net sales and market share as well as new product launches.
- Oversee the blending and packing of the first run of a new product.
- Assist with the testing and approval of factory blends vs lab control samples.
- Assist with the investigation and issue corrective actions required to fix any failed batches.
- Investigate formulation changes that can address process issues on the filling line.
- To support the NPD Technologist to make sure that NPD briefs and new product information are drawn up correctly.
- Review briefs and new product information in line with any legislative updates that affect EU/UK regulations company.
- Support the NPD Technologist with coordinating with other company departments making sure that everything runs smoothly and according to agreed procedures.
- Ensure all projects are delivered in a consistent manner and according to agreed procedures and specifications.
- Accurately complete all project-related documentation including label artwork briefs, online filing, and upkeep of USN product database and information.
- Liaise with other company departments, ensuring good dialogue and smooth information flows.
- Review artwork for technical internal information including product code, barcode, weights, legal name, and formatting.
- Compile nutritional reports of the developed product.
- Receiving and filing of documentation on all new raw materials.
- Creation and amendments of Batch Cards.
- Compiling bulk BOMs.
- Review and maintain label and packaging specification updates.
- Ensure TRELLO boards are always updated and accurate.
- Ensure all project spreadsheets are always updated and accurate.
- Manage and maintain the R&D folder online.
- Create mixing instructions and batch cards for drinks to be sent to 3rd Party.
- Create and review Globepak product specification sheets with the QC Team.
- Research for suppliers or similar ingredients at lower cost.
- Drive for continuous margin enhancement of new product portfolio.
- Ensures communication between development team and supply chain to facilitate cost effective products.
- Review client labels for conformance to R146 Regulations relating to the labelling and advertising of foodstuffs and complementary medicine as per relevant regulations.
- Ensuring that projects are done in time.
- Manage conflicts between timelines of different projects.
