RD TECH

Harvest Food Group; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Harvest Food Group is seeking an R&D Technician in East Chicago, IN. The role coordinates daily sample preparation, documentation, and shipment in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment, working closely with R&D, Warehouse, and Shipping teams to keep sample activities on schedule.

Responsibilities include creating product splits in PLEX, preparing samples, shipping, and maintaining sample inventory.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills required.
• Basic proficiency with Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Basic math and reading skills to verify quantities, weights, labels, and shipping instructions.
• Ability to learn and accurately use PLEX for product splits, invoicing, and inventory‑related transactions.
• Ability to meet fixed shipping deadlines and remain accurate during high‑volume or time‑sensitive work.
• Ability and willingness to work scheduled hours, including additional hours or weekends when required by business needs.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily preparation, documentation, and shipment of customer product samples in a refrigerated environment.
• Review sample requests and create product splits in PLEX.
• Retrieve products and ingredients from storage and label pulled items.
• Deliver pulled products to the test kitchen and notify R&D when ready.
• Verify availability of customer-requested products and communicate shortages or substitutions.
• Complete invoicing and PLEX transactions for product splits and movements.
• Assist with sample preparation and organize/stage products for R&D.
• Prepare accurate descriptions and documentation for samples sent to customers.
• Determine shipping box size and dry ice quantities for each shipment.
• Package shipments with correct samples and labeling and meet carrier deadlines.
• Maintain inventory of samples and shipping supplies; keep areas clean and organized.
• Follow GMPs and safe handling of frozen products and dry ice.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Math skills

Reading skills

PLEX software

Time management

Teamwork

Shipping deadlines

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

PLEX

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: East Chicago, IN 46312, Salary Range: $20.00 - $21.00 Hourly, Job Title: R&D Technician

Reports to: R&D Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The R&D Technician coordinates the daily preparation, documentation, and shipment of customer product samples in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment. This position reviews sample requests, creates and completes product split transactions in PLEX, retrieves and stages products for the test kitchen, assists with sample preparation, and packages finished samples for shipment.

The R&D Technician works closely with R&D, Warehouse, Shipping, and other internal teams to keep sample activities on schedule. The position also maintains sample‑area inventory and shipping supplies while ensuring that samples are accurate, properly labeled, safely packed, and ready by required carrier deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

• The following are essential job duties. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on business needs.
• Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is required to effectively perform the responsibilities of this role.

Sample Pulling and PLEX Transactions

• Review email communications and the daily sample schedule at the beginning of the shift to confirm priorities and deadlines.
• Review the prior day's pull list and create the required product splits in PLEX for products that must be pulled.
• Retrieve products and ingredients from the sample area or freezer and apply updated split labels to each pulled item.
• Deliver pulled products to the test kitchen, organize them for use, and notify the R&D team when all requested items are ready.
• Verify that customer‑requested products are available and promptly communicate shortages, discrepancies, or substitutions that require direction.
• Complete required invoicing and PLEX transactions for product splits and movements between the sample area and the test kitchen.

Sample Preparation and R&D Support

• Assist the R&D team with preparing and bagging samples as needed, particularly during periods of high sample volume.
• Support new recipe development by organizing and staging the products, ingredients, and samples requested by R&D.
• Prepare accurate descriptions and documentation for samples being sent to customers.
• Confirm that each sample is complete and accurately identified before packaging and shipment.

Sample Shipping and Carrier Coordination

• Determine the appropriate shipping box and amount of dry ice required for each sample shipment.
• Provide the information needed to create shipping labels, including box size, sample weight, dry‑ice weight, destination details, and special handling instructions.
• Print and verify shipping labels and confirm that each label matches the correct customer, product, and shipment.
• Obtain shipping boxes and other materials from the warehouse and pack each shipment with the correct sample, appropriate amount of dry ice, and required labeling.
• Complete sample shipments and deliver them to the designated dock before the scheduled carrier pickup time.

Inventory and Work Area Management

• Maintain accurate inventory of sample products and shipping supplies, including boxes and dry ice.
• Order and replenish shipping supplies before stock is depleted.
• Maintain clean and organized sample storage, preparation, and shipping areas.
• Follow company food safety, quality, sanitation, PPE, freezer, and dry‑ice handling requirements at all times.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bilingual English and Spanish communication skills required.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Basic math and reading skills needed to verify quantities, weights, labels, and shipping instructions.
• Ability to learn and accurately use PLEX for product splits, invoicing, and inventory‑related transactions.
• Ability to meet fixed shipping deadlines and remain accurate during high‑volume or time‑sensitive work.
• Ability and willingness to work scheduled hours, including additional hours or weekends when required by business needs.

Prererred Qualifications

• Previous experience in R&D support, sample preparation, shipping, inventory, food manufacturing, or a related environment.
• Previous PLEX or comparable ERP system experience.
• Previous experience with invoicing, billing, or inventory transactions.
• Knowledge of GMPs, food safety practices, and the safe handling of frozen products and dry ice.

Core Competencies

• Attention to Detail
• Organization and Time Management
• Accountability and Follow-Through
• Communication and Teamwork
• Accuracy Under Deadlines
• Inventory Control and Recordkeeping

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, and move boxes weighing up to 50 pounds as required to perform the job.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and to bend, reach, and climb stairs throughout the workday.
• Ability to perform the physical duties of the position during shifts that may extend approximately 10 to 12 hours based on business needs.
• Ability to work in refrigerated areas and freezer temperatures that may reach approximately 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to safely handle packaged frozen products, shipping materials, and dry ice while using required PPE.

Additional Information

• This is a hands‑on role requiring daily presence in the test kitchen, sample area, freezer, warehouse, and shipping‑dock areas.
• The typical start time is 7:00 a.m.; the employee must organize daily work so samples are ready before scheduled carrier pickups.
• Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs, sample volume, and facility requirements.

Why Join Us

• Play a key role in supporting customer sample requests and new product development.
• Work with a collaborative and innovation‑driven team.
• Help deliver high‑quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers.
• Contribute to the future of food manufacturing through automation and sustainability.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Life and AD&D Insurance, Short‑term Disability, Long‑term Disability, Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, 401(k) matching, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time Off, and Paid Holidays.

Harvest Food Group is committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, parental status, family responsibilities, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.