Product Development Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Summary:

The R & D Manger is responsible for managing personnel and projects that grow and maintain the business.  This requires developing new personal care product formulas, reformulating/improving the existing product portfolio, as well as evaluating for optimization of materials, formulas, and processes.  This position manages the projects and specialists assigned to those projects.  The R&D Manager works with multiple departments: Marketing, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Analytical Services, Cost Accounting, Purchasing, Engineering, and Production Planning.  This position requires a candidate that works as a team member, on multiple teams, in a fast paced high volume environment, to accomplish goals and objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Exhibit team player qualities of cooperation and coordination; professional interaction in all business contacts, all day, every day
• Present for work when scheduled is a mandatory function.  Work hours may extend pass normal business hours based on the workload of the department.
• Compliance and enforcement of all company safety rules, procedures and guidelines is essential.  Reporting of safety issues is mandatory.
• Manage projects and personnel to develop/reformulate/optimize robust, quality formulas, to meet all specifications/requirements as indicated by a New Product Profile through bench experimentation
• Work with Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Marketing/Sales and Project Management to establish product/project profiles, specifications, timelines, and claims/testing requirements
• Manage projects to meet agreed upon specifications and timelines
• Assist chemists with formulation difficulties/issues to ensure completion on time and to meet quality standards
• Optimize formulations to meet minimal cost and process objectives
• Manage raw material requirements and obsolescence by engaging relative departments for the project (Regulatory, Purchasing, Quality, Project Management)
• Prepare product/project communication timelines and reviews- including analytical, technical and financial data for guidance and support to other departments and customers
• Create, review, and approve technical documents to support product development. (Ingredient Statements, Formula Cards, Cost Formulas, Raw Material Supplement Forms, Waivers, etc.)
• Train personnel to execute project commitments and pursue contingency plans within compliance and enforcement of company policies and procedures
• Knowledge of product categories to communicate effectively the requirements, specifications, and regulations needed for product integrity, quality, and safety
• Monitor brand products for changes that might prompt new products, reformulations, or optimizations
• Interact with suppliers, contract facilities, customers, and governing agencies to achieve robust, quality, cost effective products
• Investigate and implement appropriate corrective actions to customer formula complaints
• Write and deliver technical presentations and/or demonstrations for internal and external factions, to train and illustrate the benefits and mechanisms of technologies built into products
• Submit, manage, and/or assist other departments with detailed product information to third party certification programs (i.e. USDA, Safer Choice, Green Seal, Ecologo, NSF, ADA, TTB, etc.)
• Prepare research proposals including analytical, technical, and financial data for developing and testing new or improved products, internally and with external labs, suppliers, and customers
• Evaluate and review multiple forms of data from internal experiments and reports, as well as third party reports, to manage and regulate products and their technologies

Supervisory Responsibilities:

R&D Specialists (Senior Chemists, Chemists and Technicians)

Education Requirements:

A Bachelors’ Degree in Chemistry or related science; and eight years of related experience and/or training or combination of 15 years education and related experience

Experience Requirements:

• 8+ years formulating experience in personal care or related field
• Experience with MS Word, Excel and Power Point reporting tools and all Microsoft applications
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, and ratios to practical situations

Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills required, with the ability to prioritize and execute tasks in a fast paced high volume environment
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and personnel
• Team member with the preference towards collaborating on group projects rather than working individually
• High standards for quality of work
• Compliance and enforcement of all company safety rules, procedures, and guidelines is essential and mandatory. 
• Enthusiastic, with a positive attitude and passion for innovation
• Strong information management and communication skills
• Efficient management of time and use of resources
• Inspires confidence and trust by being dependable and honest
• Logical approach to judgement and decision making based on original thinking, direct experience, and high quality, independently verifiable evidence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical
• Ability to deal with ambiguity
• Priority setting
• Process management
• Drive for results
• Excellent Interpersonal skills
• Understanding of industry rules and regulations. FDA, EPA, GMPs
• Problem solving and assessing risk management
• Ability to travel
• Good listening skills
• Efficient management of time and use of resources

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

n/a

Travel:

Light travel