Associate New Product Development Specialist
The Associate New Product Development Specialist at Confidential Client supports innovation and renovation projects by assisting in product and process development, testing, and documentation to ensure successful product launches. This entry-level role offers hands-on experience across formulation, pilot plant trials, and cross-functional collaboration, fostering growth into project leadership within a fast-paced, quality-driven environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Role Overview
This is an entry-level New Product Development (NPD) role supporting the frozen-dessert/dairy product line for a confidential client in the Scientific & QA industry. The Associate NPD Specialist will work on innovation and renovation projects, support pilot-plant and factory trials, help prepare manufacturing dossiers, and learn end-to-end product development under the mentorship of senior scientists.
- Location: (see page header)
- Employment type: Full time
- Pay range: $58,240 - $62,400 per year (visible to comply with state pay-transparency rules)
What You’ll Do
- Participate in implementation of Innovation & Renovation projects under the guidance of senior NPD staff.
- Support formulation work, bench-top prototyping, and pilot-plant/factory trial coordination.
- Run feasibility studies and technical trials to validate product/process concepts prior to launch.
- Assist with raw material selection, finished-product testing, and specification development.
- Help prepare costing analyses, preliminary manufacturing dossiers, trial sign-off documentation, and CRQS (quality) documents.
- Ensure accurate, timely handover of manufacturing dossiers and specifications to factory operations for successful industrialization.
- Support the first production runs and troubleshoot integration issues with operations and procurement.
- Contribute to continuous improvement and process optimization projects in factories.
- Maintain data integrity, follow regulatory and company requirements, and document all trial and launch activities.
Measurable Outcomes
- Projects you support launch on schedule, at target cost, and meet quality/shelf-life requirements.
- Manufacturing dossiers and all required documentation are complete and delivered on time.
- Data integrity and adherence to the NPD process are maintained.
- Pre-launch and post-launch issues are tracked and closed.
- Positive working relationships with internal teams and external suppliers are demonstrated.
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Nutrition, Culinology, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
- 0–2 years experience in food manufacturing, R&D, or product development (internships/co-ops/lab projects count).
- Basic knowledge of ingredient functionality (e.g., dairy proteins, emulsifiers, stabilizers).
- Familiarity with physico-chemical lab methods for raw material and finished-product testing.
- Exposure to dairy/frozen-dessert manufacturing is a plus.
- Strong communication, collaboration, analytical thinking, and a willingness to learn.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and take ownership of assigned tasks.
Work Environment & Logistics
- Regular on-site work in manufacturing and lab settings (wet/humid environments, elevated noise, and mechanical equipment).
- Frequent exposure to nuts and other allergens—follow safety and hygiene protocols.
- Visa sponsorship is not available; applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future.
- This position requires adherence to all regulatory, legal, and internal quality standards.
Why This Role / Career Growth
- Structured mentorship with hands-on exposure across formulation, pilot-plant, quality, and industrialization.
- Fast career acceleration—opportunities to develop toward independent project leadership within NPD.
- Cross-functional exposure (Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance) to build broad business knowledge.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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