Senior Lab Technologist - Botanical R&D & Scale-Up

Glanbia; Linden (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Generous family leave policy

Health & dental plan

401K

Job summary

Glanbia in Linden, New Jersey, seeks a Senior Lab Technologist to lead lab and pilot-scale extraction, distillation, and analytical testing for botanical products. You will drive bench-scale experiments, troubleshoot processes, and support scale-up to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

The role requires 4+ years in lab or pilot plant work, hands-on extraction/destillation experience, and proficiency with GC-FID/HPLC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4+ years of laboratory or pilot plant experience, preferably in flavors, botanicals, or extraction-based processes.
• Strong hands-on expertise in extraction, distillation, and solvent-based processing.
• Proficiency in analytical testing methods and data interpretation, including operation and data analysis of GC-FID and HPLC systems.
• Experience with sensory evaluation methods.
• Solid understanding of GMP, HACCP, and laboratory quality systems.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot technical issues and improve processes.
• Strong organizational, communication, and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Independently operate, optimize, and troubleshoot laboratory and pilot-scale equipment, including percolators, distillation systems, vacuum systems, rotary evaporators.
• Execute complex extractions, distillations, and formulations using natural botanicals; adjust process parameters to improve yield, quality, and consistency.
• Plan and lead sample preparation and fulfillment; manage the sample library and customer-aligned products.
• Conduct analytical and physical testing (e.g., ABV, specific gravity, refractive index, pH) to support development and quality control.
• Plan and lead sensory evaluations, including triangle and preference testing; interpret results for formulation decisions.
• Support product development by running experiments, organizing data, and providing technical input on formulations.
• Lead troubleshooting of equipment and processes; identify root causes and corrective actions.
• Assist in pilot trials and scale-up activities, ensuring transfer to production.
• Maintain GMP, HACCP, and SOP adherence; identify process and documentation improvements.
• Collaborate with Regulatory, Quality, and Operations to support scale-up and commercialization.
• Train and mentor Lab Technologist I and II; provide guidance on lab techniques and equipment.

Skills

Lab leadership

Extraction & distillation

Sensory evaluation

GMP/HACCP

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's in Food Science/Chemistry/ChE

Tools

GC-FID

HPLC

Percolators

Rotary evaporators

Job description

Glanbia in Linden, New Jersey, seeks a Senior Lab Technologist to lead lab and pilot-scale extraction, distillation, and analytical testing for botanical products. You will drive bench-scale experiments, troubleshoot processes, and support scale-up to meet customer and regulatory requirements.

The role requires 4+ years in lab or pilot plant work, hands-on extraction/destillation experience, and proficiency with GC-FID/HPLC.