Research & Development Technician - Schaumburg, United States - Gonnella Baking Company

Description

Under the general supervision of the Food Scientist, the person in this position is 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 departments as necessary.

• 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 onsite 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 crossfunctional 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.)
• Prepare documentation associated with department needs including meeting minutes and customer correspondence.
• Work as a team; collaborate with vendors, internal and external customers.
• Follow company policies. Acts safely.
• Meet the attendance requirements of the position.
• Provide input on process, product or formulation to aid in optimal product solutions.
• Meet attendance requirements.
• Stay current on trends, equipment and techniques including attending professional education as appropriate.
• Initiate label requests.
• May travel as business necessitates.
• 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.
• Other duties may be assigned as business necessitates.

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, proportions, percentages.
• Ability to operate various analytical lab equipment including lab scale, pH meter, refractometer, viscometer, Aw meter, moisture analyzer Additionally, ability to use lab baking a cooking equipment such as proofers, sheeters, ovens and mixers.
• Ability to reason through issues involving variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Maintain a valid driver's license.
• GED/H.S. Diploma
• Entry level or 12 years working experience for Product Development or Quality Control / Assurance in food industries and/or 5+ years of baking experience.

• Must be capable of exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move or lift frozen or baked products, pans, ingredients, and carts.
• Capable of moving up and down building stairways in a multilevel plant to reach job assignments. Tasks require climbing, balancing, stooping, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking and hearing.
• Capable of understanding various company forms, policies, and procedures.
• Subject to working inside protected from weather conditions. Work that consists of high and low temperatures and hazards of proximity to moving parts, electrical current and moving objects carrying considerable weight and force.

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

• 2 years

• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekends as needed

• Schaumburg, IL 60173: R