Strategic Process Development Benchtop Technician

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

The SPD Benchtop Technician is responsible for:

• Lead/execute benchtop scale tests with a high degree of accuracy. This includes a careful adherence to testing protocols and SOPs.
• Enter data and prepare summaries/reports based on benchtop trial outcomes.
• Organize and maintain a sanitary and safe Benchtop lab plus work environment.
• Conduct analytical procedures to evaluate quality attributes of raw materials and finished products, record results and identify trends.
• Submit samples to labs for microbiological, analytical, or shelf-life testing.
• Document appropriate product information for research purposes and tracking of sample products, including internal and external laboratory results.
• Prepare samples and perform sensory evaluation of products as well as data entry.
• Organize incoming shipments of dry and fresh ingredients and finished pet food products.
• Manage inventory of testing ingredients, operating supplies and raw materials.
• Ship/deliver customer sample requests in a timely manner.
• Assist with pilot plant trials or TPRs when needed.
• Understand and comply with safety regulations and other procedural compliance regulations.
• Assure food safety standards with regards to GMPs and HACCP plan are being followed by self and fellow employees.
• Follow safety procedures with lock out tag out (LOTO) and exposure to laboratory equipment and cleaning chemicals.
• Manually lift and transport unfinished/finished product during research production and/or trials.
• May at times be required to travel (0-30%) to various training programs, test runs, co-packers, or suppliers. Travel mileage and meals will be compensated.
• The work week is generally M-F between the hours of 8AM-4PM. Developmental projects will require working during times outside of these time frames, including nights and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Must be able to withstand some occasional cold temperature (40° F), when needed to sort out products in refrigerator (max 3 hours).

How You Will Make an Impact

• Assist in critical steps of the innovation process of new products, processes, and analytical methodologies.
• Establish a leadership role in leading execution of benchtop trials. This includes the operation, assembly, disassembly, cleaning, and sanitizing procedures of lab equipment and benchtop areas.
• Organize and maintain a sanitary and safe work environment at benchtop laboratory.
• Utilize Pilot Plant experience in refining and contributing to the success of SPD projects.
• Understand and comply with safety regulations and other procedural compliance regulations.
• Participate in TPRs.

What You Will Bring

Work Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in the food/pet food industry required.
• General laboratory and cleaning experience are preferred.
• Prior food manufacturing, sanitation, QA or Laboratory experience preferred.
• Ability to read and follow procedures and accurately complete benchtop trial summaries/reports.
• Physically capable of handling or transporting heavy boxes and/or ingredients.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and capacity to multitask efficiently.
• Ability to work in a team and adapt to a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to interact effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• A curious personality that is eager to learn and easily adapts to new opportunities and environments.
• Responds well to changing project priorities. Demonstrate a level of adaptability and composure necessary in the development of new products, processes, and/or analytical procedures.
• Independently carry out assignments and review/communicate data for accuracy and trends.
• Able to work with fresh raw meats and other food ingredients.
• Follow established company policies and those outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must have car to be able to ship/collect parcels.
• Must be able to withstand cold temperature (37°F) environment.
• Be willing and able to cross train on all sanitation responsibilities.

Education Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Knowledge and experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), HACCP, and other related systems preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (EXCEL, WORD, etc.).

What we Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate, and preserve a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.

#LI-RK1