R&D Process Lead

Cometeer - Gloucester, MA

Full-time

Gloucester, MA

About the position

The R&D Process Lead at Cometeer is a pivotal role within the Quality team, responsible for spearheading key research and development initiatives in beverage manufacturing. This position focuses on enhancing and controlling manufacturing processes to improve product quality and operational efficiency. The successful candidate will engage in characterizing existing processes, implementing cost-effective solutions, and leading projects from concept to scale-up, all while fostering innovation in the coffee industry.

Responsibilities

• Operate as the core knowledge owner of critical process impact to product quality.
• Identify gaps within current production process and own/deliver change for improvement.
• Observe equipment used in the manufacturing process and characterize process capability and the underlying effects.
• Partner with cross-functional teams including operations, engineering, supply chain/coffee quality, and safety to develop cost-effective solutions that streamline and standardize processes and drive economies of scale.
• Lead R&D projects from concept through scale-up of new ingredients, products or technologies.
• Investigate product quality issues, including consumer complaints, and prepare subsequent after-action review to reduce recurrence.
• Build business cases for new products, technologies, or changes within existing framework.
• Gather and examine product data, including customer feedback, and correlate the data for analysis to build or refine product specifications.
• Provide regular status updates with all stakeholders, keeping the stakeholder's needs and requirements continuously in view.
• Be engaged with industry trends and how to leverage new technology into design standards.
• Establish clear ownership for project tasks and a clear schedule for when each task will be performed.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans for equipment and process improvements.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other teams to continuously improve our quality and efficiency.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Process Engineering or applicable experience.
• Experience with R&D or Test Plan Development/Execution.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Process (GMP).
• Comfortable integrating new ideas, technology and processes into an existing business environment.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Project management experience.
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate with cross-functional business partners.

Nice-to-haves

• 5+ years of experience in a similar role.
• Related work experience in a beverage or food manufacturing environment.
• Experience in data analysis to build product specifications.
• Proficient in Google GSuite data tools and ability to work with data to generate periodic reports as needed.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer
• Commitment to building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds