R&D SPECIALIST I - 1ST SHIFT (SPK)

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

• Formulates and/or re-formulates existing products with the simplest and most cost-effective formulations that can be manufactured efficiently based on the priorities of meeting profitability objectives, company deadlines, operating budget responsibilities, and company goals.
• Supports manufacturing by providing technical troubleshooting where corrective action is required to increase efficiencies, rectifies product deviations, resolves quality problems, and works out production difficulties.
• Coordinates, develops, and evaluates existing formulas to ensure they comply with NOW specifications.
• Inputs information into Oracle through bill of materials, specifications, and manufacturing instructions.
• Works directly with Pilot Plant equipment as needed for product trials, production troubleshooting, and other related activities assigned.
• Completes and evaluates product approval packages for final review by appropriate managers.
• Performs tests on new and existing raw materials to provide information needed to determine whether to accept or reject based on parameters set forth by manufacturing capabilities.
• Reviews manufacturing processes, determining where improvements in product quality could contribute to the company's success.
• Follows all company requirements related to standard operating procedures and change control procedures.
• Complies with safety and GMP requirements.

SAFETY STATEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

 Supports a culture of safe laboratory operations 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. Reports ALL workplace incidents to supervisor immediately.  Communicates concerns to supervisor, 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. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. 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 in Food Science or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Intermediate skill level with Microsoft Office required. 
• Familiarity with tableting and encapsulation preferred. 
• Food or pharmaceutical industry experience and experience with gluten-free products are a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work learn quickly, work independently, and assume responsibility for new tasks in a rapidly growing and changing company.
• Self-starter and ability to handle multiple tasks and projects.
• Strong attention to detail skills.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work extended hours to support the business, including off-shift and weekends.    

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, as well as plane and solid geometry and trigonometry fundamentals.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with various concrete variables in situations with limited standardization. Ability to interpret various instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to handle testing equipment, raw materials and finished products, tools, or controls and communicate in person and on the telephone. The employee will regularly taste or smell. The employee is regularly required to move from place to place within the facility, to reach, ascend and/or descend stairs, balance, or stoop. The employee will regularly use a computer. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and color vision.

The employee must regularly lift, move (in some cases drag items), slide, raise and/or place:

• Lift 25 lbs. at 33 inches, place 10 inches away, and then return to the original position. An example of this would be changing the tamping block.
• Lift 35 lbs. at 70 inches, place at 33 inches, and return to 70 inches. An example of this would be lifting changeover tooling boxes.
• Lift 40 lbs. at 33 inches, turn 90 degrees, and place at 33 inches. An example of this would be changing machine parts.
• Lift 50-lb. boxes from 5 inches to 33 inches and return them to 5 inches. An example of this would be moving product from pallet to cart.
• Lift 60 lbs. at 17 inches and place at 40 inches. An example of this would be lifting a tablet tooling changeover box.
• Lift 12 lbs. at 22 inches, turn 90 degrees, and place at 33 inches. An example of this would be cleaning parts at the sink.
• Push and pull with a force of up to 65 lbs. at 36-inch height. An example of this would be moving pallet jacks/carts.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Works around ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanicals, etc. and chemicals such as alcohol, that may require respiratory protection.  
• May be exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals and biological materials.   
• Frequently exposed to vapors, airborne particles and/or herbal aromas, some classified as allergens or irritants.
• Frequently exposed to all of the FDA designated major food allergens (Milk, Eggs, Fish, Crustacean shellfish (e.g. crab, lobster, shrimp), Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans), Wheat and Soybeans, except for peanuts.This position works in all areas of NOW’s manufacturing facilities with direct exposure to ingredients (powders and liquids), mixes (powders and liquids), equipment, and packaging.

2025 BENEFITS AT A GLANCE