Graduate Engineering Trainee

Addison Group; Oxford (MS); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 10–15 days

Retirement Savings Plan

Long-term career growth

Job summary

Addison Group's client in Sardis, MS is seeking a highly organized Product Development Specialist to support lab operations, product development, quality validation, and customer sample fulfillment within a growing manufacturing environment.

The role bridges Product Development, Operations, QA/QC, and Commercial teams, balancing hands-on lab work with operational coordination, documentation, and ERP data management to drive timely product launches and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related scientific discipline or an associate degree with relevant experience.
• 1–2+ years of experience supporting laboratory operations, product development, quality control, manufacturing, inventory management, or related technical environments.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory and pilot plant activities related to new product development, formulation validation, and manufacturing scale‑up.
• Perform analytical testing utilizing laboratory equipment while following established SOPs and quality procedures.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, technical documentation, development records, and product validation data.
• Manage the company's customer sample program, including preparing, packaging, shipping, and tracking product samples for internal teams and customers.
• Maintain finished goods sample inventory, retention samples, and laboratory materials while ensuring organization and inventory accuracy.
• Enter and maintain accurate batch, lot, inventory, shipment, and product information within the company's ERP and document management systems.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, project updates, and development summaries for leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing, QA/QC, Sales, and Customer Service to support new product launches and customer evaluations.
• Recommend process improvements that increase laboratory efficiency, organization, product quality, and customer responsiveness.
• Support ISO documentation, continuous improvement initiatives, and quality management processes.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science or related discipline

Associate's degree with relevant experience

Tools

NetSuite ERP

Job description

Our client is seeking a highly organized and hands‑on Product Development Specialist to support product innovation, laboratory operations, quality validation, and customer sample fulfillment within a growing manufacturing environment. This position bridges Product Development, Operations, Quality, and Commercial teams by supporting laboratory testing, pilot production, product validation, inventory management, technical documentation, and customer sample requests. The ideal candidate enjoys balancing laboratory work with operational coordination and takes pride in maintaining exceptional organization, quality, and responsiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Support laboratory and pilot plant activities related to new product development, formulation validation, and manufacturing scale‑up.
• Perform analytical testing utilizing laboratory equipment while following established SOPs and quality procedures.
• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, technical documentation, development records, and product validation data.
• Manage the company's customer sample program, including preparing, packaging, shipping, and tracking product samples for internal teams and customers.
• Maintain finished goods sample inventory, retention samples, and laboratory materials while ensuring organization and inventory accuracy.
• Enter and maintain accurate batch, lot, inventory, shipment, and product information within the company's ERP and document management systems.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, project updates, and development summaries for leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing, QA/QC, Sales, and Customer Service to support new product launches and customer evaluations.
• Recommend process improvements that increase laboratory efficiency, organization, product quality, and customer responsiveness.
• Support ISO documentation, continuous improvement initiatives, and quality management processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, or another related scientific discipline (Associate's degree with relevant experience will also be considered).
• 1–2+ years of experience supporting laboratory operations, product development, quality control, manufacturing, inventory management, or related technical environments.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ISO 17025 or other quality management systems.
• Experience utilizing NetSuite ERP or similar ERP platforms.
• Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and analytical testing.
• Experience with FedEx, LTL shipping, and international shipping documentation.
• Experience within agriculture, fertilizer, biological products, chemical manufacturing, or related industries.
• Experience supporting pilot plant operations or manufacturing scale‑up activities.

Reporting Structure

• Directly reports to the Quality Control Manager.
• Works closely with Product Development, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and Commercial teams.
• Supports technical initiatives alongside senior formulation and product development leadership depending on project workload.
• No annual bonus
• 10–15 days PTO
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Long‑term career growth within a rapidly expanding manufacturing organization

Office Status

This position is 100% onsite in Sardis, MS supporting laboratory, manufacturing, and product development operations.

Interview Process

• Initial interview with hiring leadership.
• Follow‑up interview focused on technical aptitude, laboratory experience, organizational skills, and overall cultural fit.