Food R&D Research Technician

Today, On-Board is a thriving privately held family of companies with services including: Consulting, Professional Engineering, Industrial Maintenance and Facility Management, Contracted Manufacturing and Production Services, as well as Temporary Staffing and Recruiting throughout North America. The ideal candidate will have a culinary background, hands-on food preparation experience, or Food R&D laboratory experience and will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on test kitchen environment.

 
About Us:
On-Board Services, Incorporated is an on-site contract service provider for a local manufacturing entity providing full time positions to our employees. We offer benefits as well as 401k.
 
Position Details:
Title: Food R&D Research Technician
Position Type: 3-month contract with additional opportunity contingent upon performance and continued business need
Job Location: Buffalo, NY
Shift:1^st shift
Benefits: 401K, Dental insurance, Life Insurance, Medical Insurance, Vision Insurance, PTO 
Compensation: $20-$24/HR

About Us:
On-Board Services, Incorporated is an on-site contract service provider for a local manufacturing entity providing full-time positions to our employees. We offer benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

About the Role:
We are seeking an entry-level Research Technician to provide hands-on laboratory and test kitchen support for an R&D team focused on dessert food product and process development.

This role is primarily focused on prototype and sample creation rather than finished-product analytical testing. The ideal candidate will have a culinary background, hands-on food preparation experience, or Food R&D laboratory experience and will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on test kitchen environment.
The Research Technician will work closely with Product Development Scientists to prepare and evaluate prototypes, conduct basic experiments, document results, and support product development projects.

Responsibilities:
Technical Support – 70%

• Perform routine and non-routine R&D tasks with limited supervision, following established procedures and direction from Product Development Scientists.
• Prepare prototypes and samples of dessert food products, including cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, donuts, and ice cream.
• Support new product development, product improvements, and process development initiatives.
• Follow approved methods and procedures to ensure accurate and reliable results.
• Accurately document laboratory work, experiments, observations, and results in lab notebooks or designated computerized systems.
• Prepare samples and assist with setup for product cuttings and evaluation sessions.
• Manage daily priorities and adjust to changing project needs while escalating issues when appropriate.
• Prepare, use, clean, and properly store laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Follow established procedures when operating laboratory and food preparation equipment.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, safe, and organized work environment in accordance with food safety, quality, and safety standards.
• Work collaboratively with R&D, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, QA, and Operations as needed to support project milestones.

Experiments & Analysis – 30%

• Support basic laboratory and pilot plant experiments related to dessert food product and process development.
• Conduct experiments independently or in collaboration with other team members.
• Accurately measure, record, and communicate experimental results.
• Follow established methods and procedures while making appropriate adjustments based on observations and direction from the project team.
• Collect and record accurate measurements from laboratory and pilot plant experiments.
• Communicate observations and results clearly to Product Development Scientists and other project team members.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Culinary Science, Food Science, Food Preparation, or a related field; OR
• 1+ year of hands-on food preparation experience in a high-volume or production-based food environment, such as an R&D kitchen, commercial kitchen, bakery, or food product development setting.
• Hands-on food preparation experience; experience with dessert products such as cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, donuts, or ice cream is preferred.
• Culinary background or Food R&D experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on test kitchen environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and proper documentation.
• Basic critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to accurately collect, record, and communicate data following standard procedures.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a cross-functional team.
• Strong willingness to learn and follow established procedures and instructions.

Physical & Work Requirements:

• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional climbing of steps and/or ladders.
• Ability to use hand tools and precision instruments requiring fine motor skills.
• May be exposed to food ingredients, chemicals, cleaning agents, and varying temperatures.
• Regular and predictable onsite attendance is required.

 
 
On-Board was founded in 1976 by Robert L. Wilson to provide Engineering and Design services to the chemical manufacturing industry. Today, On-Board is a thriving privately held family of companies with services including: Consulting, Professional Engineering, Industrial Maintenance and Facility Management, Contracted Manufacturing and Production Services, as well as Temporary Staffing and Recruiting throughout North America.

The On-Board Family of Companies conducts operations through its Corporate Headquarters located in East Windsor, NJ along with Regional Offices in New Castle, DE and Wake Forest, NC.  On-Board’s Mission is to provide “Flexible Service by applying the talents of our people, work processes and technology to meet our clients’ expectations in a Safe, Responsible and Dependable manner.”

On-Board Companies provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.
 
JD# 26-01456
INDOJ