CD&D Technician - Harvard, IL

Creation, Design & Development Technician - Harvard, IL
This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Creation, Design & Development (CD&D) Technician will support ADM’s North American Pet Division in the development and scale-up of innovative pet food and treat products. This role involves assisting scientists throughout all stages of product development — from laboratory trials to full-scale production — and requires meticulous record-keeping of experiments, tests, industrial trials, and product-related information. The position is based at ADM’s Harvard, IL facility and involves hands-on work in a manufacturing environment across multiple processing technologies.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK PERFORMED:

• Support new product development trials by collecting samples, monitoring test results, checking recipes, reporting findings and scaling up issues to the responsible scientist.
• Manage inventory of laboratory supplies, ingredients, packaging materials, and samples, ensuring proper organization and adequate stock levels are maintained.
• Analyze and interpret test data, identifying trends, deviations, or opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain and organize the CD&D sample library, ensuring proper storage, labeling, and traceability.
• Perform laboratory tasks such as mixing, grinding, labeling, washing utensils, and operating equipment (e.g., NIR, pH meters, water activity meters).
• Weigh and batch recipes, making adjustments to bench top formulas based on desired product characteristics.
• Support CD&D with document creation and maintenance, including product and ingredient specifications, inputting data, adding images, and recording product measurements.
• Measure and document product prototype, finished products and packaging for a wide variety of samples.
• Enter data accurately into multiple databases and shared documents to support recordkeeping and reporting, maintaining accurate logs of data and results.
• Prepare and ship product and packaging samples to external laboratories, customers, or other ADM facilities as needed.
• Communicate with Project Scientists, Sales, and cross-functional partners through status updates, emails, and sample tracking.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Education: Preferably a diploma in Animal Sciences, Food Sciences, or Zoology, or alternatively, an AS, BA, BS, or High School Diploma.
• Basic Mathematical Skills: Comfortable with basic calculations, ratio scaling, fraction proportioning, and percentage calculations. Skilled in graphing techniques and predictive modeling.
• Basic Scientific Skills: Familiar with common scientific terminology and basic concepts in chemistry and biology.
• Technical Skills: Comfortable operating laboratory and pilot equipment; able to perform basic instrument calibration, measurements, and data recording.
• Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and capable of creating, editing, and organizing files, spreadsheets, and basic presentations.
• Analytical Thinking: Demonstrates attention to detail, accuracy in measurements and ability to identify deviations and communicate them to scientists.
• Problem Solving: Capable of identifying issues, investigating root causes, and proposing practical solutions under minimal supervision.
• Organizational Skills: Able to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, track inventories, and uphold a clean and organized work environment.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally in both written and verbal form with scientists, managers, and cross-functional partners.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive attitude.
• Safety and Quality Mindset: Follows safety, GMP, and quality procedures consistently; contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and compliance.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS AND COMPETENCY MODELS:

• Action Oriented: Takes initiative and moves quickly from planning to execution when given a goal or task. Demonstrates urgency, accountability, and follow-through.
• Applied Learning: Quickly absorbs and applies new technical or procedural knowledge from both formal training and on-the-job experience.
• Clear Communication: Conveys information effectively in both written and verbal formats. Communicates observations, data, and trial results accurately to scientists and supervisors.
• Dependability: Consistently meets deadlines, follows established procedures, and produces work that meets quality standards.
• Independent Work: Demonstrates self-motivation and discipline to complete assigned work with minimal supervision while maintaining alignment with team objectives.
• Initiative and Ownership: Proactively identifies opportunities to improve processes, organization, or results. Takes responsibility for outcomes and continuous learning.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Contributes ideas and practical solutions to technical challenges. Embraces change and seeks better ways to perform tasks.
• Planning and Organization: Prioritizes tasks effectively, maintains an organized workspace, and ensures resources are ready for upcoming projects or trials.
• Safety and Quality Awareness: Maintains a strong focus on safety procedures, good laboratory practices (GLP), and quality standards in all activities.
• Team Collaboration: Works cooperatively with others and supports collective goals. Recognizes and values contributions from team members.
• Time Management: Balances multiple priorities efficiently, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Work Standards: Holds oneself to high performance expectations, delivering consistent, reliable, and accurate results.