Pilot Plant Technician

About the role

Location: Bridgewater, NJ

About This Role

Perform Pilot Plant Trials by collaboratively working with product developers and a team of fellow technicians, ensuring safe operation of equipment and operating in line with Good Manufacturing Practices. All work is to be performed under general supervision of and reporting directly to the Pilot Plant Manager.

What You'll Do

• Prepare formulations in line with trial requests.
• Support project leaders, pilot plant team members, and maintenance in trial planning, preparation, execution, and review of improvements.
• Set up, operate, clean, and sanitize aseptic-processing equipment in a sustainable and safe manner.
• Adhere to Standard Operating Procedures and support periodic review of those procedures.
• Process and package batches in line with trial objectives.
• Perform light mechanical repair and equipment adjustments as required and in line with SOPs.
• Actively support and encourage knowledge sharing and cross-training.
• Document and prepare summaries of trial results based on actual processing data.
• Organize and record data as outlined in pilot plant requests and batch-record-keeping standards.
• Update trial results and recipes in the internal systems.
• Identify and record process deviations and escalate accordingly.
• Carry out quality control testing, including pH, viscosity, titrations, and total solids.
• Support batch sampling and process-validation requirements.
• Proactively cooperate with the team to improve pilot plant processes and procedures.
• Follow and uphold food safety, quality, and SHE policies as they pertain to the role.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary work area.
• Support internal and external audits, including management systems and food safety audits.
• Support raw-material weigh-ups as required.
• Consume materials and update system records to ensure accurate stock control.
• Support finished-product disposition, including labeling and transport within the site.
• Carry out regular stock checks for selected ingredients to ensure adequate stock levels.
• Participate in internal behavior-based safety and site environmental initiatives.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Maintain a safe working environment by proactively identifying and communicating issues.

What You Bring

• Experience working in a production environment in food or pharma.
• Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Thermal processing.
• Open communication.
• Problem solving.
• Core knowledge of quality assurance and product safety.
• Ability to communicate efficiently internally and externally.
• Ability to build trusted, open relationships with different functions across the value chain.
• Reliable and self-dependent.

Bonus Points

• Aseptically processed and packaged foods, optional.

Compensation & Benefits

• Up to $29 per hour + Overtime
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Disability insurance