R&D Lab Manager - Beverage Manufacturing

Lassonde Pappas & Co. is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we've been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you're passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee's total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

POSITION SUMMARY

The R&D Lab Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of R&D projects, focusing on product development and cost improvements that are aligned with the company's strategies and execution plans. This position acts as a single point of contact for the R&D team and other cross functional departments to ensure high quality products and flawless project execution. Also, will work with project teams to implement process improvements. And manage other administrative functions such as updating ERP systems, plant processing guides, customer product specifications, and regulatory paperwork as new products are developed and reformulated. This role reports to the Director, R&D and is based out of our Cherry Hill, New Jersey location.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Project Management: Manage a portfolio of R&D projects, focusing on product development and cost improvements that are aligned with the company's strategic objectives and execution plans
• Act as a single point of contact for the sales team and other departments to ensure high quality products and proper communication
• Implement process improvements
• Manage administrative functions such as updating ERP systems, plant processing guides, customer product specifications, and regulatory paperwork
• Mitigate risk at project level, including commercial, technical, regulatory, and legal
• Support new product initiatives that align with strategic objectives
• Independently develop base for new juices, organic products, nutrient beverages, sauces, etc.
• Independently develop formulations for testing and approval of new products
• Manage multiple projects, including the development of new juices, drinks, organic products and nutrient beverages
• Document formula calculations, process, and ingredient requirements
• Research and evaluate ingredients product for safety and efficacy
• Sourcing new ingredients and providing recommendations to procurement team
• Provide formulations for costing of new products to Finance
• Assist in identification of appropriate manufacturing processes for new products based on established requirements
• May assist engineering in providing requirements for new process and equipment
• Support Sales and Marketing in customer presentations and provides technical expertise in plant operational issues
• Leads team meetings to discuss projects and give appropriate business updates

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES (if applicable)

• Manage 2-3 employees
• Maintains staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe, secure, and legal work environment; developing personal growth opportunities
• Communicates and assigns new projects to scientists - manages R&D active project list
• Communicates job expectations; planning, monitoring, and assessing job results; coaching, and counseling employees; developing, coordinating, and enforcing systems, procedures, and productivity standards
• Establishes strategic goals; identifying and evaluating trends; choosing a course of action; defining objectives; evaluating outcomes

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food science, biology, or chemistry required
• Master's degree in Food Science a plus
• Minimum 5 years of experience demonstrating product development in food (preferably beverage) and/or project leadership experience
• Experience in managing people
• Knowledge of flavor technology required
• Knowledge of food labeling and regulations and their application to product development is required
• Must have plant processing experience, understanding of sourcing ingredients and costing products
• Excellent Power Point, Word and Excel skills
• Must be able to use refractometer, pH meter, colorimeter and spectrophotometer
• Strong product development skills
• Must be able to work in a plant environment when necessary
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross functional teams
• Analytical and business mindset, questioning status quo
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent team player
• Willingness to travel (up to 25%)

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the beverage industry
• Previous experience in Manufacturing or production environment
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be detailed oriented and have the ability to multi-task
• Proven organizational skills
• Must have excellent time management skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office setting; driving a motor vehicle and occasionally working in the field.

FREQUENT: sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to include extended periods of keyboard and mouse use, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials

OCCASIONAL: squatting, kneeling, reach above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20 - 35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet

VISION: Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction

HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.