Product Development Specialist - Reno - Nutrient Survival

Description

Nutrient Survival Job Description

Product Development Specialist

Industry

Food and Beverage Manufacturing and Fulfillment

Department:

Product Development

Reports To

Chief Operations Officer / Chief Innovation Officer

Job Level

Specialist

Position: Exempt

Salary Range

$55,000 - $70,000

Schedule

Typically Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Employment Type

Full-time, on-site

Company Description: About Nutrient Survival - Real food. Real nutrition. For real life.

The old food system is failing us. Ultra-processed. Nutrient-deficient. Addictive by design.  We're done with that.  It's time to break free.  We make real food with real nutrition to fuel real life, no matter the moment. Delicious food powered by essential nutrients for peak performance — everyday, on adventure, or in an emergency.

Handcrafted with natural ingredients and no artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives, one small batch at a time, then fortified with the essential nutrients your mind and body need to perform – Protein, Vitamins, Minerals, Fiber and Omega 3.

We are a team of passionate individuals committed to making a difference in the world. We are headquartered in a 100,000 sq. ft. facility with our offices, test kitchens, ovens, food prep equipment, freeze-drier, packaging and shipping, all in one place. Here, we stay focused on quality and consistency in every batch, almost making food personally upon order.

Job Summary: TThe Product Development Specialist is a pivotal position in the growth and advancement of innovation and continuous improvement of products for Nutrient Survival.  It is a semi-autonomous role reporting directly to the COO/CIO.  The Specialist is responsible for the physical and analytical execution of recipe creation, re-formulation, prototyping, nutritional analysis and product label generation.  This hands-on role is an important part in product innovation and renovation to accomplish identified business objectives, and to consistently sustain growth for our company. A key delivery will be to help build upon consumer insights and work in a cross-functional settings with representatives from internal teams (i.e. Marketing, Design, and Operations).

This role covers various styles of food manufacturing development opportunities, as well as providing technical support with production processes to manufacturing operations.  Sharp food science, nutrition, and/or food formulation experience can be leveraged to be able to effectively qualify products, processes, and raw materials and suppliers.  You will research and identify any industry or new trends, lead performances, and process or quality improvement to support Nutrient Survival as a leader in the industry and on the shelf.

Duties and Responsibilities:

As a Product Development Specialist, You Will

• Bring product ideas to fruition for foods and drinks as part of the Product Development group. You will work on and provide innovation and creation with flavors, shapes, textures, and processes while meeting the nutritional requirement standards expected and enjoyed by our customers.

A week in the life of a Product Development Specialist:

1. Manage development, scale up and implementation of new and existing technologies to improve the performance of existing products and develop new products
2. Lead scientifically developed foods and drinks using innovative techniques to co-create new products and the continuous improvement of current products
3. Project manage product development from concept to scaled-up manufacturing
4. Serve as technical resource for marketing to develop a robust pipeline of product development opportunities, which includes developing technical project plans and timelines for all assigned projects
5. Lead product formulation, including identifying and validating ingredients, nutritional analysis, NFP creation, and regulatory requirement compliance
6. Leverage technical experience to develop, implement, and execute creative product development activities to achieve product goals and deadlines to deliver to consumers
7. Establish production processes and teach others
8. Manage database, record and enter log samples, formulation tracking, translating written requests into formulas and circulating documentation
9. Act as ingredient lead for all assigned ingredients/raw materials, including qualification of new raw materials and suppliers
10. Proactively monitor and provide product maintenance for assigned product responsibilities requiring standardized scientific procedures
11. Explore innovative applications of product/process possibilities based on current state-of-the-art food technology
12. Coordinate activities between external and internal customers for product development
13. Maintain kitchen and product development lab areas to ensure Good Manufacturing Practices are upheld
14. Perform lab, kitchen, and food prep activities to support product development and professional presentation to foster food safety, sanitation, and hygiene practices are continuously met
15. Apply leadership, coaching, and influence to steer the project goals and deadlines 
16. Perform practical application of HACCP, Food Safety fundamentals, new materials onboarding, allergen claims validation, and process capability
17. Perform other duties as assigned

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise:

• Knowledge and practical application of Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, sanitation i.e., HACCP, AIB, and or SQF
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations, and standards
• Knowledge of food science, nutrition, or chemistry 
• Knowledge of sanitation techniques and willingness to support in assigned areas
• Knowledge of analytics
• Knowledge of business acumen including an understanding where project work is occurring
• Knowledge of food formulation, reformulation, and recipe development
• Excellent skills in communication and interpersonal relationships including presentation, oral and written, strong networking and stakeholder management
• Proficient skills in Google docs, Gmail, Microsoft Office, Excel, and Microsoft Dynamics
• Proficient skills with data entry and management of databases
• Proven team management skills and project leadership
• Skills in complaint reduction exercises to mitigate risks
• Skills in math, calculations, collecting and manage data, interpret and present findings in meaningful ways
• Organizational skills and maintaining assigned kitchen area, equipment, tools, utensils, and laboratory
• Skills in interfacing with customers and internal teams
• Skills in being highly motivated, critical thinker, goal oriented and easily adapts to change and manages through ambiguity
• Preferred skills in adaptability in changing environments
• Preferred skills for an innovative mindset
• Ability to manage multiple projects, assignments, take directions, and to follow instructions
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and high-performing environment with autonomy
• Ability to understand the consumer and to focus work with the consumer in mind
• Ability to anticipate, and to apply analytics to problem-solving and critical thinking
• Ability to find cost saving measures
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines
• Ability to read and understand reporting data and how it relates to optimal performance for directives
• Ability to interface with all levels of the organization including executive leadership
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to stand, walk, reach, twist, bend, stoop, squat, lift, climb, carry, push, and pull 50 pounds for the entire shift
• Ability to live PACK (Proud, Authentic, Community, and Kick-ass) values

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in food science, nutrition, chemical or food engineering or related field is preferred

3+ years of product development, formulation, scale up experience, food lab, education equivalent or related experience

Experience with food manufacturing operations is helpful but not required if you have transferable skills from other environments.

No specific degree is required for this position. We value candidates who have developed relevant skills through various experiences.

Don't meet every single requirement?  If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly align with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway

Work Environment: This position primarily works in our product development kitchen and lab. Physical requirements include the ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.

Nutrient Survival is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.