Pilot Plant R&D Technician - Food Innovation

Schwan's Company; Marshall (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards package

Health benefits

Job summary

Schwan's Company in Minnesota is seeking a skilled Associate-level technician to operate and maintain the pilot plant, document processes, and calibrate lab instruments. You’ll coordinate inspections, support training for new processes, and work with Product Development to test and scale new products.

You will contribute to process improvements, cost savings, and equipment shakedowns while mentoring other technicians and assisting with data gathering for pilot runs.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of related experience.
• Knowledge of manufacturing practices and regulatory environments.
• Familiar with safety and testing procedures and various lab/pilot plant equipment.
• Basic PC skills including Windows word processing and spreadsheet.
• Ability to operate and calibrate R&D lab and pilot plant instruments.
• Ability to taste and ingest foods in development.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain pilot plant and complete required documentation; keep lab areas and equipment clean; calibrate and maintain instruments; coordinate repairs.
• Maintain maintenance and sanitation records.
• Schedule and coordinate lab inspections to maintain certifications.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Process Engineering on training for new processes and products.
• Develop experimental formulas or processing techniques with guidance from scientists/engineers.
• Evaluate existing formulas and processes; identify cost savings and improvements; propose solutions.
• Support commercialization of new products, including installation and shakedown of new equipment.
• Mentor and train technicians in equipment operation and maintenance.
• Assist Product Development and Operations with gathering and disseminating testing and production data for the pilot plant.
• Oversee pilot plant operations and maintenance of equipment; bring in new equipment as needed.
• Place purchase orders; coordinate delivery and receipt of ingredients.
• Document work per procedures; prepare reports for project teams on status, progress, issues, solutions, timelines and accountability.
• Develop and implement programs to improve efficiency, speed and quality; align with department and business unit goals.
• Provide technical support to Product Development or Operations related to product testing or production; offer feedback on solutions.

Skills

Manufacturing practices

Regulatory knowledge (FDA/USDA/OSHA)

Safety & testing procedures

Laboratory/pilot plant equipment

Windows PC skills (word processing &/s

Taste & ingest food products under dev

Education

Associate degree or equivalent work experience

Job description

Schwan's Company in Minnesota is seeking a skilled Associate-level technician to operate and maintain the pilot plant, document processes, and calibrate lab instruments. You’ll coordinate inspections, support training for new processes, and work with Product Development to test and scale new products.

You will contribute to process improvements, cost savings, and equipment shakedowns while mentoring other technicians and assisting with data gathering for pilot runs.