R&D Formulator Level 1

Summary/Objective: Lead and deliver the creation of innovative consumer and customer driven new products, quality improvements, reformulations, and cost-savings to drive VEI team profitable growth. Provide technical leadership on cross-functional teams to support operations, sales, purchasing, quality, and other internal and external partners.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Product Sample Development.
• Effective utilization of ERP System to Enter Ingredients & Formula Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Translate consumer/customer needs and specifications into ERP System.
• Perform Bench-Experiments, Scale-Ups, & Evaluations.
• Develop and Maintain Product Specific Blending and Filling Instructions.
• Create Formula Cards as necessary.
• Identify items that may require Unique Material Agreements (UMA).
• Collaborates well within a diverse environment in order to accomplish the responsibilities required to satisfy the needs of the customer and the business.
• Communicate proactively and effectively with Internal and External Partners.
• Participate in the maintenance of organization of Lab, Ingredient Cabinets, and Bench top setting.
• Participate in gathering and prepping materials.
• Participate in material reviews and evaluations.
• Works with Urgency.
• Strong Attention to Detail.
• Cross trains with other members of the department and organization.
• Available to work overtime including weekends
• Comply with all safety and SOP procedures

Non Essential Functions

• Able to assist and fill in for other department members as needed. (Examples: Documentation, Project Coordination, etc.)
• Support internal/external plant startups & provide technical support as needed.
• Troubleshoot & Solve Formula Related Production Issues.
• Technical-leadership role in identifying and creating innovative new products and platforms that are aligned to the overall VEI strategy through developing and fostering internal and external partnerships.
• Translate consumer/customer needs into relevant product-designs while meeting consumer, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Practice specification ownership and build stable formulations with proprietary advantage where applicable to protect investments and block competitive potential.
• Actively partner with external suppliers and development-companies to identify, test, and integrate new opportunities including, but not limited to, new technologies and new raw materials.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Work Environment

This job operates in an office and lab environment. This role routinely uses lab equipment and standard office equipment such as computers, calculators, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and other office electronics.

Essential Functions Communication (Speech & Composition)

Expression of a level to communicate fluently with employees, customers and others in English to obtain and provide complex information. Vocalize and explain detailed data and problem-solve, both in-person and by telephone. Capable of interpretation of technical materials, oral presentation of reports and able to adapt vocabulary, tone and content for listener.

Comprehension and expression of a level to routinely draft narrative information, compose routine correspondence on own initiative, make comprehensive notes in English. May involve a large volume of such composition.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employee will occasionally lift up to 15 pounds, walk, repeatedly bend, and smell. Employee will frequently read with attention to detail, seeing things near and far, distinguish basic colors and shades of colors and use routine hearing abilities. Employee will continuously sit for extended period of time, have routine hearing abilities.

Environmental Factors:

The environmental factors described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employee will occasionally work alone. Employee will frequently work closely with others. Employee will continuously work in an inside environment.

Travel

Moderate travel required - ability to travel occasionally for activities such as out-of-town meetings or training

Required Education, Skills and Experience

Apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Deal with non-verbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables. Comprehend complex, hard-to-understand concepts

Perform ordinary arithmetic, algebraic, and geometric procedures in standard, practical applications.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Minimum 2 years in science lab environment or related experience.
• Ability to perform tasks autonomously or under minor supervision while maintaining accuracy, completeness, and sound judgment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including timely follow-up and commitment to deliverables, and openness to give and receive feedback.
• Able to develop strong cross-functional relationships to drive strong collaboration and results.
• Able to consume and sample food ingredients and allergens in accordance with evaluation/research needs.
• Good ability to make objective taste and texture decisions about products.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Working knowledge of R&D lab operating procedures.

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience

• B.S. Food Science or related technical or engineering degree.
• Experience in R&D, Food Manufacturing, Beverage, Flavor, or Pharmaceutical Industry.
• Basic knowledge of manufacturing procedures.
• Basic knowledge of Sports Nutrition or Health and Wellness industry.
• Basic knowledge of dry powder formulations and processing.
• Experience with an ERP System.