Research and Development Technician

Job Category: Research & Development Job Family: Applied Research & Development Job Description: The Research and Development Technician independently coordinates assigned day-to-day R&D support activities that directly contribute to accurate shelf-life evaluation, sensory support, laboratory readiness, and timely sample receiving and shipment. The role owns established shelf-life workflows, prepares and tracks sensory samples, maintains pH measurement equipment, completes routine laboratory support, and recognizes and addresses issues within established procedures and escalates more complex matters as appropriate. The technician works under moderate supervision, uses discretion within defined operational boundaries, provides clear technical information, and status updates to R&D partners. What you’ll do: Executes the assigned shelf-life workflow by receiving, verifying, logging, labeling, storing, retrieving, and preparing product samples in accordance with established protocols; maintain complete, accurate, and traceable shelf-life records and reports. Compile, review, and finalize sensory data reports; verify information for completeness and accuracy, investigate minor discrepancies, and distribute results to scientists and other designated R&D partners. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory, sensory, and pilot plant environment in compliance with safety and food quality standards. Assist Sensory scientist by ordering and preparing samples for taste panels, product cuttings, and various trainings. Clean, calibrate, and perform preventative maintenance on pH probes. Ship samples to customers and plant locations. Communicate observations, data-quality concerns, equipment issues, supply needs, risks, and progress updates to R&D partners; explain established practices and procedures and recommend practical solutions for manager or scientist review. Follow all applicable Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, food safety, quality, sanitation, allergen, chemical-handling, and employee safety requirements. May be asked to assist scientists with routine laboratory testing. What you will need to succeed: Associate’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field, or equivalent experience. Typically requires basic prior experience in a laboratory, pilot plant, or manufacturing environment. Foundational knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices and food safety principles. Ability to follow established procedures, document work accurately, and execute tasks with attention to detail. Basic proficiency with pH meters. Fundamental experience with laboratory management, sensory and shipping software systems is desired. Effective communication and collaboration skills to work within a team environment. Foundational computer skills, including use of common software systems. Physical Demands and Work Environment: Work is performed on site in laboratory, pilot plant, office, applications kitchen, sensory testing, and food manufacturing support environments. Regular on-site presence five days per week is required to perform the essential responsibilities of the role. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout work areas. Occasionally required to kneel, squat, or crouch when cleaning, stocking, retrieving materials, or supporting equipment-related tasks. Frequently lifts, carries, pushes, or pulls materials weighing 10 to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. Occasionally retrieves materials weighing approximately 10 to 20 pounds from elevated storage locations using approved step stools or rolling ladders, with or without reasonable accommodation. Frequently handles food ingredients, dairy products, product samples, packaging, laboratory equipment, and cleaning or sanitation materials while using required personal protective equipment. Must be able to work safely in research, food preparation, pilot plant, and manufacturing support environments and comply with applicable safety, sanitation, allergen, quality, and personal protective equipment requirements. Work may involve exposure to refrigerated or temperature-variable areas, food and dairy ingredients, allergens, odors, wet surfaces, cleaning chemicals, and operating equipment typical of laboratory, pilot plant, and food manufacturing environments. Eligible partners will receive: Get not one, but TWO retirement benefits. When you join our employee-owned company, you’ll be part of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) from day one. In addition to an 8% 401(k) match into the ESOP, Schreiber will contribute an extra amount - about 8% of your earnings - toward your retirement every year. That’s a company contribution of around 16% in retirement savings annually. That’s hard to beat! Earn bonus pay. You’ll have an opportunity to earn incentive pay twice a year when we meet our company goals. Receive a $10,000 relocation bonus PLUS a generous relocation package if relocating more than 50 miles for a U.S. Salaried position. Childcare costs. Get up to $5,000 annually to help you with the cost of childcare. Monthly contributions toward childcare expenses, including independent babysitters. Earn extra money for taking care of yourself. Eligible partners can earn a Wellness Incentive and receive an employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) to use on fitness, mental health, and other lifestyle expenses. Pursue development that’s relevant to your role, career goals and the company. Plus, we offer tuition reimbursement if you want to further your education to grow in your role at Schreiber. Get access to medical, prescription drug, dental and vision benefits starting day one. This includes an onsite nurse and mental health counselor. Experience caring like you’ve never experienced it before. We have a program that’s completely organized by and for other partners who need extra help. It’s called Partners Helping Partners. We have hundreds of examples of partners organizing fundraisers to help out others going through a hard time. Benefits that support your whole life. Visit Schreiber - Care for you to see everything Schreiber offers to support your health, wellbeing, and financial future. Life & Culture We call ourselves partners - not employees - and there’s a good reason behind that. Our work is more than just a job. Our common goals drive and energize us as we work together to be the best we can be. Caring is a huge part of who we are. We not only help each other grow; we take care of each other along the way. Whenever a partner is experiencing a hardship, it’s common for others to take the initiative to organize fundraisers to help support them through our Partners Helping Partners program. We also care about our communities and want to help make them better places to live every day. Who are we looking for? Our people are truly the heart of our company, and we’re on a journey together. It’s about more than a job. We work hard to find great people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and provide opportunities to help them grow. Like a family, we care deeply about each other. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. About Schreiber Foods Schreiber Foods strives to do good through food every day. Based in North America, we’re a customer-brand leader in cream cheese, natural cheese, process cheese, shelf-stable beverages and yogurt. Our more than 10,000 employees and presence on five continents enable us to be an essential ingredient in our customers’ success. With annual sales of more than $7 billion, we partner with the best retailers, restaurants, distributors and food manufacturers around the globe. We also recognize our responsibility to do good in the world and are driven to make a difference in everything we do. #J-18808-Ljbffr Schreiber Foods, Inc.