Product Development Specialist - Zeigler

General Job Title: Product Development Specialist
Days/Hours: M – F / 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (hours are subject to change upon production needs)
Original Date: 7/15/2021 Revised Date: 7/15/2021
Reports To: Research Project Manager Department: Dept. 82 - Research

Basic Function and Scope of Responsibilities (other duties as assigned): Reporting to The Research Project Manager, the incumbent’s primary responsibility will be to manage product/process development and product/process improvement projects. This position will contribute to the manufacturing and testing of new or improved products under direct supervision by The Research Project Manager. In addition, the holder of this position will be primarily responsible for the day to day operations and maintenance of a series of experimental and pilot scale feed manufacturing equipment, and some feed testing protocols. The incumbent will be expected to maintain detailed records and to assist with the preparation of reports on research activities.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Manage and operate the R&D feed manufacturing and laboratory areas (including equipment setup as well as cleanup/sanitation/calibration duties).
• Manage implementation of experimental and pilot scale testing of new and/or improved product or production process concepts.
• Working with the Research Project Manager, assist with the upscaling of new products and new processes into commercial scale production.
• Maintain security of the designated R&D area’s physical components and intellectual information.
• Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date laboratory notebooks and records in accordance with company product development processes.
• Complete timely reporting on experimental work for the Research Project Manager.
• Manage daily activities running trials in product development area of the mill and running analyses in the laboratory.
• Manage data and reporting of results from external laboratory product analyses.
• Assist in commercial feed production area and in licensee technology transfer as directed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all formulations as well as process and manufacturing protocols.

Educational Requirements:

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of experience in food science and/or food/ag engineering, or animal nutrition.

Training, Skills, Knowledge and/or Experience:

• Up to 5 years hands-on experience working with feed/food product science and/or development preferred.
• Excellent Communication skills
• Previous training and experience in operation and maintenance of laboratory and/or manufacturing equipment.
• Computer skills in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or alternative presentation software.

Competencies:

• Scientific and mechanical aptitude necessary to carry out laboratory and pilot scale manufacturing testing and analysis protocols.
• Ability to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for new and improved products/processes.
• Ability to research, learn and develop new ideas independently.
• Acute visual and smell competencies.
• Certified to operate a forklift or the ability to learn to operator a forklift.

Supervisory Responsibility:
- No supervisory responsibility

Working Conditions

Adverse working environment:

Must be able to sustain daily exposure to dust, noise, heat, and cold.
Exposure to dangerous machinery and other hazardous conditions requiring safety adherence to PPE, safety rules, and procedures at all times.

Physical Effort:

Must be able to stand, walk, climb, bend, crawl, reach, and lift at least 55 pounds on a continuous basis.
Must be comfortable working in a manufacturing environment.
Must be able to pass a job-related pre-employment physical and drug screening.

Extensive Hours:

Overtime work could be required based on production needs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions. Zeigler Bros. Inc. reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities, and position titles as deems necessary to meet the needs of the business.