Product Development Tech

Shift: 1st Shift
Schedule: 8AM - 5PM (OT and weekends, as required)
*May vary, depending on business needs

Compensation Details

Pay Rate: $28.00 - $32.50

Position Summary

This position will be responsible for developing the ingredients for consumer-packaged food products and providing technical services for the development of those products. This position plays a role of project management assistance for all product development projects by closely working with product development professionals. The technician works in partnership with other team members and customers to get any required information during the development process and gain alignment on project direction. Focuses on the development of portion-controlled condiments, which includes specification and other document request from suppliers, specification and labeling review and continuous management and improvement.

Required Qualifications

• BS degree in food science/food technology or similar is preferred.
• Minimum 2 years related work experience at food manufacturing company preferred.

Desired Qualifications

• Food packaging development experience.
• Food product development experience.
• Knowledge of food packaging and manufacturing processes.
• Proficient with computers, MS office and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience of NPD process.
• Self-directed with the ability to work independently as well as with groups.
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.   

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the revenue and profit growth by developing new products for various applications.
• Assist with coordinating the commercialization of all new products with our cross-functional team by coordinating the testing of products and developing specific product specifications.
• Work with operations on initial production runs and as needed to maintain product quality levels.
• Coordinates confirming all necessary information to set a product specification and gather all necessary product and supplier information required for commercialization.
• Responsible for all customer sample requests and ingredient sourcing within all three Latitude plants.
• Responsible for shipping of all customer samples from our suppliers and all three Latitude plants.
• Assists with setting up sensory evaluations for all new items.
• Review new product specifications for internal as well as customer compliance.
• Handle customer requests related to product specifications, nutritional’s, labeling, packaging etc.

• Assist with sourcing new products and packaging as needed, keeping customer satisfaction, quality standards and any other details of interest in mind throughout the development process.
• Confer with vendors and our cross-functional team to understand available technology and product options and provide ideas, solutions, and alternatives to meet food safety, quality, costs, and customer requirements.
• Contribute to the overall team effort by accomplishing related tasks, actively participating and applying leadership skills.
• Work with customers and our Quality Assurance team to review and approve packaging, labeling and product design requirements as needed.
• Identify prospective suppliers to perform New Product Development (NPD) projects assignments and conduct scale-up tests.
• Track progress of all open projects, consistently reporting progress status of all formal R&D projects to the Product Manager and Director of Procurement and Product Development as needed.
• Research market trends and comparative products from all major retailers/competitors and recommend product development ideas in line with those trends.
• Apply a wide range of food microbiology and chemistry knowledge to identify the root-causes of product defects and propose preventive actions.
• Perform special project assignments.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The team member is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The team member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To view more opportunities, please visit: Latitude 36 Foods Job Opportunities

Latitude 36 Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we take great pride in our diverse and talented workforce.  We are looking for diversity in candidates for employment.  We recognize that our continued success depends largely on the collective strengths of our associates.

Salary : $28 - $33