Primary Functions : Establish effective working relationships with Third Party Manufacturers, Commercial and ANSC Divisional functions including Regulatory, Medical, Tech Centre and Quality to provide support for product moves and New Product Introductions.
A lucid and logical thinker, the R&D Associate will bring a technical and scientific expertise to all matters pertaining to the delivery to market of new powder and liquid nutritional products which are produced at Third Party Manufacturers in Asia and Europe.
An 'innovation oriented' contributor with excellent attention to detail and communication skills, the R&D Associate will have the ability and inquisitiveness to comprehend the details behind processes and transactions beyond his/her direct area of responsibility to ensure compliance to both regulatory and product design requirements.Reporting : Area Director, TPM Operations & R&DPeople's management responsibility : noneEducation : BSc in food science or engineering preferredExperience : Minimum of 3 to 5 years of prior experience in formulation and manufacturing processes of powder and liquid nutritional products in the Nutritional industryTravel: Estimate at 20%Initial Job ResponsibilityProduct Development : design new products or variations of existing productsDesign and re-formulate existing nutritional products for manufacture at TPM sites to meet new regulations or to meet new market requirements Formulate new premixes Support the qualification of new ingredients, including premixes, and suppliers Support the supplier audits as required Support the development of manufacturing processes for the manufacture of new and existing products at the various TPMs.Documentation DevelopmentDraft new document packages for new list numbers/list number FE's Revise existing documentation as neededCreate Raw Material Specification documents for new ingredients and advise QA on Raw Material testing Program requirementsCreate protocols for investigation and stability activities Prepare Deviations in the Quality Systems to support First Lot To Stock manufacture Prepare validation protocols Draft Change Requests; review and approve CRs as needed; track progress and cycle time; elevate as needed Draft, update or review Exception Reports and Deviations as needed Assist in the set-up of new packaging commodities such as scoops or over caps but in general as needed.Technical ExpertiseSupport assessment of new suppliers and ingredients Assess inherent data from ingredients and adjust formulations as necessary Draft finished product testing requirements Identify new testing requirements and premix markers Create special documentation as required to support registrations Investigations for alternate claims Provide supplemental information to Market Affiliates, Medical Safety and Regulatory Affairs Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues Support QA function of the TPM group with investigation of complaints, deviations and Exceptions Reports Support Regulatory impact assessments, including for changes or proposed changes to Market regulations Attend pilot and factory trials as needed Provide training to the TPM staff on formulation and manufacturing where necessary.Project ActivitiesSupport the development of project scope, trial and budget requirements Develop test plans and test requirements through the life cycle of the product Attend project meetings for all R&D activities with the project team and the TPM(s) and provide technical leadership to multi-disciplinary project teams to develop several products in parallel Support strategic project activities such as Margin and Profitability Identify and implement product and process improvements Identify, implement and support cost savings activities specifically looking at specifications of ingredients Provide regular weekly and monthly highlights to management Identify opportunities for continuous process improvement and sharing best practices across the supply chain to ensure maximum synergy across the Global Third Party Manufacturing operations.Stability Data Maintain repository of stability data for TPM products Be accountable to identify, cost-out and oversee product testing and stability program requirements for existing products, new product placements and strategic resourcing initiatives Collect and collate stability data Provide stability data and reports as needed to support registrations Issue shelf life testing reports, recommendations and justifications Coordinate stability testing for TPM products conducted across all Abbott labs.