Job Title: Technician
Location: On-site at Tech Center, Hershey, PA
Duration: 6 Months (possible extension or conversion)
1st shift - OT on rare occasions

Main Duties:

• Reporting to the Associate Manager Better For You R&D and working at The Client's Technical Center, the position will work with multiple scientists within the Better For You R&D team to achieve company innovation goals and programs. The individual will perform basic tasks and follow standard work methods or specific instructions required to support product development. Successful candidate will work in partnership with scientists and engineers to create samples and prototypes using different technologies and methods. The individual must be competent with basic calculations, data collection, handling ingredients, computer applications, good manufacturing practices, and pilot plant manufacturing production. A successful candidate is expected to be dependable and proactive, as well as have excellent communication skills. Candidate will work specifically on protein bars, low sugar/zero sugar chocolate confections, and the possibility of zero sugar hard candy & gummies.

Specific Role Focus Area:

• Benchtop development
• Pilot plant testing
• Equipment assembly and preparation
• Support in-plant initiatives such as trials, sales sample production, and start-ups
• Identify project support needs
• Partner with project leaders on planning and execution
• Ability to lift up to the maximum of fifty (50) pounds and prepare product for testing
• Ability to learn and apply new skills quickly
• Good time-management and organization skills to manage multiple projects
• Open to traveling up to 15% of the time.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• 80% - Partnering with project leaders to prepare for and perform equipment trials, making samples using equipment and new technologies, and cleaning equipment
• 10% - Sitting in on developing trial protocols, entering data, analysis, documenting experiments, developing SOPs, and reporting results
• 10% - Maintain an organized, clean, and sanitary laboratory workspace for the team. Maintain inventory of ingredients and supplies. Maintain regulatory compliance through entry of ingredient/packaging information in the lot tracking database.

Top Three Technical Skills:

• 40% ability to prepare and execute trials on food equipment in pilot plant
• 30% ability to develop written documentation and/or communicate orally
• 30% ability to collaborate with scientists

Must Haves/ Recessions (i.e. years of experience?)

• GED/HSD with min 2-3 years of related experience, or BS in a non-related field with no experience
• Desire to work in the food industry and the Hershey, PA area
• Ability to travel for work outside of the Hershey, PA area
• Ability to work overtime as needed

Software Skills and Purpose (if applicable):

• MS Office

Industry Experience:

• Great to have experience in produce processing, food manufacturing, or research and development.

Team Size:

• Support role. Will work closely with others and have individual work. 10 people

Work Environment:

• Labs, pilot plant, desk work, and sometimes manufacturing facilities for tests and trials.

Upcoming Projects/ Busy Seasons:

• Project work is ongoing. A very busy and fast-moving/changing R&D program!

What do you foresee as being the biggest challenge in this position?

• Collaboration with many different scientists with an ever-changing schedule and priorities
• Learning and becoming comfortable running different pieces of equipment

Training

• Approximately 2 weeks
• Pilot plant training, GMP training, and on-the-job training, especially working with different pieces of equipment in the lab and pilot plant. 

  
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 22.64/hr.