Innovation Formula Technician

Under the guidance of the VP of Innovation, the Formula Technician will assist with the development of best-in-class, science driven cannabis products for Curio Wellness and our licensed brand partners. Product categories that the technician will support include, but are not limited to edibles, beverages, tinctures, tablets, vapes (Distillate/Rosin/ Resin), pre-rolls (infused and not infused), concentrates.  Working under cGMP and State Regulations, the Formula Technician 1 will be involved in benchtop rendering, prototype development, product testing and analysis to ensure stability, safety and efficacy. This person will also be responsible for maintaining the cGMP and 5S status of the Innovation Suite as well as ordering raw materials, packaging and all other materials for the upkeep and for new launches as necessary. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Formula & Flavor Development: Assist senior R&D personnel with the development of formulas and flavors for a variety of products including tablets, topicals, infused pre-rolls, flower, and beverages.
• Benchtop Sample Development: Execute day-to-day formulation of benchtop samples and product prototypes for all categories, ensuring that formulations align with the product brief, brand ethics, stability, scalability, manufacturing capabilities, and state regulations.
• Testing & Evaluation: Support the creation and implementation of testing protocols to evaluate product stability, safety, efficacy, and quality. Analyze test results and adjust formulations as needed to meet specifications.
• Compatibility Testing: Support compatibility testing in collaboration with the Packaging Engineer to ensure product integrity and packaging suitability.
• Flavor Development Support: Assist with the development and refinement of flavors to meet product specifications.
• Project Coordination: Ensure that product trials are completed within the required timelines, managing logistics and timing for submission trials to meet project demands.
• Technology & Ingredient Exploration: Test new technologies and ingredients, supporting the scouting of innovative options and contributing to "skunk works" (early-stage, experimental projects).
• cGMP & 5S Maintenance: Maintain the Innovation Suite to ensure it meets current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and 5S qualifications, ensuring adherence to industry standards.
• Documentation: Complete all required technical documentation accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring thorough record-keeping and compliance.
• Collaboration with External Partners: Work with external consultants and experts as necessary to support product development initiatives.
• Licensing Support: Assist the Product Licensing team in setting up external licensing partners' facilities, developing SOPs, and training manufacturing staff at these locations. Support IP protection trials as required.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Coordinate and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing, Procurement, Cultivation, Sales, and Marketing, as needed for successful product development.
• Facility & Hygiene Management: Ensure the daily operations, hygiene, and equipment set-up of the lab space are maintained to high standards, implementing best practices in formulation and development while adhering to regulatory guidelines for Medical/Adult Use Cannabis, Pharmaceuticals, and Nutraceuticals.
• Confidentiality & Integrity: As a member of the Product Innovation team, safeguard confidential information, including intellectual property (formulations, recipes, processes, and ingredients), ensuring integrity in the protection of sensitive data.