Job title: Product Development Technician
Reporting to: Senior Innovation Manager
Location: Lakeland, USA
The Opportunity
Product Development Technician-Coffee and Tea is responsible for aiding in the development and supporting scale up of new products and the reformulation of current manufacturing processes to improve quality, production and financial efficiencies. The Product Development Technician-Coffee and Tea plays a role in introducing novel ideas and techniques to the product development and commercialization process. The ideal candidate has a passion for coffee and tea and willingness to learn.
What it’s like to work here
We’ve been making the world taste better since 1886 and sell over 3000 products in more than 90 countries, but we’re only just getting started. We’re on an exciting journey and have ambitious plans to become the indispensable partner of choice for the world’s leading flavor and fragrance houses, beverage and consumer brands.
On joining Treatt, you’ll become one of over 300 international experts, working together to collectively surprise and delight our customers. Nothing is more important to us than the happiness of our people as without them, we’d never succeed.
We think Treatt’s a great place to work, but don’t just take our word for it:
“Everyone wants your feedback and opinion; it feels like a place of study where nurturing and encouragement are the standard. It is very clear the hard work that goes into providing excellence for customers, but it is also very apparent that managers have the same goals for helping us all to progress.” – Anita, Innovation Scientist
“Joining my close and supportive team was the most enjoyable way to gain more skills and increase my knowledge” – Ashley, Distillation Control Team Leader
“Treatt creates an environment to help you be the best you can, with no two days the same and opportunities always available to help you learn and develop. The people and the culture create a fantastic company to be part of” – Rebecca, Commercial Coordinator
What you’ll be doing
• Help develop creative and novel products - bringing them to commercial fruition.
• Utilize and maintain a range of laboratory and pilot-plant equipment (introducing new equipment and techniques where necessary) during product development.
• Identify unique raw materials for the development of products.
• Work with the Senior Innovation Manager-Coffee and Tea and Senior Product Development Scientists in the planning of R&D priorities.
• Provide Senior Innovations Manager-Coffee and Tea with ongoing and consistent communication of status of R&D efforts and commercial implications of R&D work.
• Under guidance of Senior Innovations Manager-Coffee and Tea and Senior Product Development Scientist participate in monitoring and documentation of plant trials leading to successful commercialization of new products.
• Assist in execution of shelf life and stability studies of new product development providing detailed reports of results.
• Participate in sensory evaluation of R&D projects, new products, reformulations, ingredient substitutions, and competitive products.
• Maintain accurate records of lab work, and documentation of used ingredients, formulation modifications and provide statistical evaluations and reports.
• Aid in develop product and raw material specifications suitable for QA, regulatory, and customers.
• Research opportunities for the development and marketing of products.
• Maintain clean laboratory environment.
• Organize and maintain laboratory inventory including but not limited to ingredients, equipment, and consumables.
• Stay abreast of current, worldwide R&D efforts and transfer new knowledge to Treatt product lines.
• Assist in writing both technical and non-technical articles and reports for publication.
• Participate in product demonstrations as needed.
• Work with Senior Innovation Manager Coffee &Tea as needed on new product developments and reformulations.
• Partner with sales team members to identify and analyze consumer market trends that might provide increased sales and product development opportunities.
• Act in the best interest of Treatt at all times.
• All other duties as customary or as delegated.
What we’re looking for
• Highschool Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year of college level science courses preferred or prior work with coffee, tea or food service.
• Prior experience with coffee, food service, or laboratory environment is preferred
• An independent worker with strong creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Must be detail oriented and organized.
• An understanding of chemical principles.
• Ability to perform basic math functions.
• Ability to analyze information and data to arrive at valid conclusions and plans of actions.
• Effective communication skills at all levels - both orally and in writing.
• Familiar with laboratory equipment
• Ability to use various spreadsheets, word-processing and database computer software.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate.
We want you to love your work and bring that energy to the job every day, no matter what the task. You’ll be someone who keeps up to date with the latest technologies and is always willing to share their knowledge with colleagues.
Our department is busy. We need someone who can run with the pack but also bring their own personality to their work.
You should be personable, friendly and supportive, acknowledging that you’ll get to work with colleagues from all seniority levels across all departments on a daily basis.
What we’ll do for you
We offer an excellent package which includes a competitive salary; vacation time as well as the opportunity to purchase additional vacation, we also offer a discretionary annual bonus, medical (including family cover), dental and vision coverage, AFLAC, 401k employer matching up to 6%, company-paid short term and long term disability insurance, company-paid life insurance and stock purchase options.
With the encouragement and development, you need, we help you to become your ultimate you. Beyond building a successful career, we also support the wishes and ambitions of our staff outside of the office in achieving a health work/life balance - the wellbeing of our staff is paramount to us, which we actively promote and support by regularly delivering a variety of wellbeing initiatives. There will also be opportunities to be actively involved in community and charity projects and to take part in numerous subsidized social events.
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Polite Notice
We politely request that we are not contacted by any recruitment agencies. We have a preferred supplier list and high volumes of speculative calls from agencies negatively impact upon the efficiency of our business. Please help us to maintain the highest levels of customer service by respecting our wishes.