Production Associate — R&D Pilot Plant

Position Summary
Join our R&D team as a Production Associate to support pilot-scale food manufacturing and research activities. This hands-on role will be directly accountable to the R&D Director and will focus on reliably executing production runs, documenting process data, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards during scale-up and new product development trials.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine production operations including weighing, batching, mixing, heating/cooking, cooling, and packaging; ensure consistent execution across batches.
• Set up, operate, and maintain pilot-scale equipment (e.g., paddle mixers, ribbon blenders, cookers, homogenizers, fillers, capping and sealing equipment, and small packaging lines).
• Monitor and record critical process parameters (temperatures, times, pressures, RPMs) and maintain accurate batch logs to support reproducibility and troubleshooting.
• Follow and enforce GMP, sanitation, allergen control, and food safety procedures; participate in regular cleaning and deep sanitation as required by SOPs.
• Assist in pilot trials for new formulations and process conditions, providing hands-on feedback and practical suggestions to improve manufacturability.
• Coordinate with R&D, QA, and operations teams to ensure materials, packaging, and documentation are prepared for each run.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process inefficiencies and recommending practical solutions.
• As the pilot plant grows, help onboard and train new production personnel and contribute to development of training materials and work instructions.

Qualifications & Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required; vocational training or coursework in food technology or manufacturing is advantageous.
• Prior experience in a food production environment or pilot plant is preferred; trainees with mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn will be considered.
• Comfortable operating mechanical equipment and following technical SOPs; able to read and record process data accurately.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent time management, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for prolonged periods, and perform repetitive tasks as needed; compliant with PPE and safety procedures.

Work Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week, w/ benefits. Flexibility in scheduling required to meet production needs and pilot trial timelines, which may include varied start times or occasional extended days. This position reports to the R&D Director and offers a practical role in supporting product development and scale-up efforts within a collaborative pilot plant setting.