Product Development Specialist

Title: Product Development Specialist

Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Salary: $60,000 - $80,000

Location: Sardis, MS

General Overview

Our client is seeking a highly organized and hands-on Product Development Specialist to support product innovation, laboratory operations, quality validation, and customer sample fulfillment within a growing manufacturing environment. This position bridges Product Development, Operations, Quality, and Commercial teams by supporting laboratory testing, pilot production, product validation, inventory management, technical documentation, and customer sample requests. The ideal candidate enjoys balancing laboratory work with operational coordination and takes pride in maintaining exceptional organization, quality, and responsiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Support laboratory and pilot plant activities related to new product development, formulation validation, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Perform analytical testing utilizing laboratory equipment while following established SOPs and quality procedures.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, technical documentation, development records, and product validation data.
• Manage the company's customer sample program, including preparing, packaging, shipping, and tracking product samples for internal teams and customers.
• Maintain finished goods sample inventory, retention samples, and laboratory materials while ensuring organization and inventory accuracy.
• Enter and maintain accurate batch, lot, inventory, shipment, and product information within the company's ERP and document management systems.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, project updates, and development summaries for leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing, QA/QC, Sales, and Customer Service to support new product launches and customer evaluations.
• Recommend process improvements that increase laboratory efficiency, organization, product quality, and customer responsiveness.
• Support ISO documentation, continuous improvement initiatives, and quality management processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, or another related scientific discipline (Associate's degree with relevant experience will also be considered).
• 1–2+ years of experience supporting laboratory operations, product development, quality control, manufacturing, inventory management, or related technical environments.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ISO 17025 or other quality management systems.
• Experience utilizing NetSuite ERP or similar ERP platforms.
• Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and analytical testing.
• Experience with FedEx, LTL shipping, and international shipping documentation.
• Experience within agriculture, fertilizer, biological products, chemical manufacturing, or related industries.
• Experience supporting pilot plant operations or manufacturing scale-up activities.

Reporting Structure

• Directly reports to the Quality Control Manager.
• Works closely with Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and Commercial teams.
• Supports technical initiatives alongside senior formulation and product development leadership depending on project workload.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $60,000–$80,000
• No annual bonus
• 10–15 days PTO
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Long-term career growth within a rapidly expanding manufacturing organization

Office Status

This position is 100% onsite in Sardis, MS supporting laboratory, manufacturing, and product development operations.

Interview Process

• Initial interview with hiring leadership.
• Follow-up interview focused on technical aptitude, laboratory experience, organizational skills, and overall cultural fit.