ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Directs R & D initiatives related to New Product Development and Technical Services, e.g., new product introduction initiatives, current product formulation improvements, manufacturing capability, and technical assistance to production.

• Builds cross-functional relationships to foster teamwork for new and existing product development and all other functions involving Research and Development with Operations, Science, Supply Chain, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Accounting, Legal, Sales, and Marketing.
• Continuously evaluates departmental projects/goals with respect to priorities, procedures, and opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Develops and assigns departmental strategic goals with specific metrics to be reported monthly or as needed.
• Utilizes company resources in formulating new and/or existing products based on the priorities of meeting product quality, profitability objectives, company deadlines, operating budget responsibilities, and departmental goals. Provides technical support for new product development and existing product improvement, such as manufacturability by applying specific biological and chemical knowledge to structure/function claims and product analyses. Provides theoretical evidence and/or experimental verification for new product concepts.
• Develops technical documents, including SOP’s for lab methods and technical references to support products. Writes SOP’s to conform to GMP and FDA regulations.
• Analyzes and provides effective solutions for chemical, physiological, biochemical, biological, and manufacturability issues.
• Obtains information related to raw material characteristics, processing techniques, environmental conditions, packaging requirements, and production feasibility.
• Organizes and supervises Research and Development Scientists and resources in completing new and/or existing products based on the priorities of meeting profitability objectives, company deadlines, operating budget responsibilities, and department goals.
• Coordinates, develops, and evaluates new and existing formulas compliant with NOW’s specifications.
• Obtains information related to Research and Development including raw material characteristics, processing techniques, environmental conditions, packaging requirements, and production feasibility. Identifies and documents critical parameters pertaining to approved formulas in order to reproduce results on a full-scale production basis. Completes and evaluates documentation packages for final review by department Quality and Operations.
• Communicates formula requirements and assists other departments including Manufacturing, Purchasing, Receiving, Order Fulfillment, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Marketing, Sales, Engineering, and Accounting.
• Leads New Product Development Committee by relaying information on new product concepts, manufacturing capabilities, technical strategies, cost analysis, and product specifications. 
• Monitors and documents new product development flow process to ensure timely introductions and minimize unnecessary costs. Tracks all department tasks relating to new products and communicates status to Sales and Marketing New Product Development Committee.
• Helps evaluate equipment and processes used in the development, evaluation, and production of products at NOW. Implements changes as needed to maximize efficiency and accuracy of new product introductions. Reviews processes determining where improvements could be implemented in terms of product development to contribute towards the success of the company.
• Manages projects including expense, improvement modifications and Capital projects. Reports on potential problems and progress on current projects in a timely manner.
• Complies with safety and GMP requirements. 

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

Supports a culture of safe production and exhibits safe work practices. Actively participates in the safety program by engaging in safety activities. Effectively provides and accepts constructive peer-to-peer feedback on safety performance. Adheres to policies, procedures, SOP’s, safe work practices, and safety policies and procedures (SPP). Reports ALL workplace incidents to manager immediately. Communicates concerns to manager, reports hazards, and provides input on prevention. Properly uses, wears, and stores Personal Protective Equipment when required. Participates on safety teams and/or completes safety-related activities as part of regular job responsibilities. Responsible for safe work performance in area. Ensures the completion of job safety analyses, safety inspections and employee training. Acts as primary communicator of safe work practices and information to department. Facilitates employees’ participation in the safety activity card program and on safety teams. Completes incident investigation reports and submits them to manager by end of shift on which the incident is reported. Conducts safety contacts and documents corrective and preventative actions. Enforces company policies, procedures, SOP’s, SPP’s and safe work practices. Ensures implementation and enforcement of workplace health and safety requirements. Ensures activities are completed to communicate, promote, and enforce safe work practices by supervisors and employees to ensure injury prevention efforts are effectively implemented. Ensures safe production methods are considered in the procurement of materials and equipment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises employees R&D at Bloomingdale. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college, preferably in one of the life, earth, or food sciences.
• Minimum 5 years in product formulation role and a minimum of five years supervisory experience in a regulated environment or equivalent combination of degree and experience.
• Strong knowledge of food science, chemistry, or biochemistry is required.
• Experience in the dietary supplement, food or pharmaceutical industry preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret biomedical periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or legal/patent documents.

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, technical articles, and procedure manuals.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, scientists, and coworkers from within and external to the company. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms and quadratic equations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

REASONING ABILITY

• Excellent problem-solving skills required.
• Must also be able to work with abstract situations and find a resolution that is practical for the business and meets quality objectives.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent leadership, time management, attention to detail, verbal and written communication skills, listening, decision-making, and organization skills required. 
• Excellent people-development skills needed, including coaching, team building and training skills.
• Ability to travel between facilities.
• Ability to work off shifts and weekends. 

COMPENTENCIES

• Safety Awareness - Considers the impact on safety when making decisions and ensures safety is a top priority.
• Acts with Integrity – Demonstrates responsible, ethical and honest behavior and models NOW’s core values.
• Communication – Communicates clearly, candidly, directly and concisely. Keeps others informed and listens carefully to input and feedback. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Is approachable, relates well to others, engages people and helps them understand change. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, technical articles, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and discuss issues and respond to questions from groups of managers, peers, vendors, and customers.
• Coaches and Develops Others – Builds teams, develops and cares about team members, values and manages diversity, provides candid and constructive feedback.
• Customer-Driven – Servant minded leader in which excellent service is provided to all customers, sees business through the eyes of the customer, and acts with the customer in mind.

• Flexibility – Ability to prioritize and to shift directions as business needs require. Maintains a positive attitude. Learns quickly and assumes responsibility for new tasks in a rapidly growing and changing company. Ability to work off shifts and weekends to support business needs.
• Leads Change and Innovation – Challenges the status quo, embraces technology and process improvements, gathers ideas of others, high level of adaptability.

• Problem-Solving – Strong decision making and reasoning skills. Ability to problem solve complex issues. Reacts quickly and appropriately to opportunities and problems. Follows up in a timely manner to issues not immediately resolved. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.

• Achieves Results through Teamwork – Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment as well as manage projects independently. Open to diverse ideas, works collaboratively, holds self and others accountable, involves others to accomplish individual and team goals. Ability to work with others to complete assigned tasks with a team environment.
• Servant Leadership - Exceptional capacity for managing and leading people. Assumes hands on participation when needed. Ability to connect staff both on an individual level and in large groups. Capacity to enforce accountability and learn the strengths and weaknesses of the team to put people in a position to succeed and to maximize the development of employees. 
• Time Management and Organization – Able to handle multiple, complex projects and work independently. Displays a sense of urgency to meet objectives. Attentive to detail and achieves high quality workload. Stays focused on priorities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is occasionally required to remain at stationary work location and regularly to move from place to place within work facility, including time spent on the plant floor. Employee is regularly required to use the telephone and computer. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is frequently exposed to vapors and/or herbal aromas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee may be exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals and biological materials.

This position works in close proximity to all areas of NOW’s manufacturing facilities with direct exposure to ingredients (powders and liquids), mixes (powders and liquids), equipment, and packaging.

Up to 25% travel required.