Lab Technician II

1440 Foods is a sports and active nutrition company on a mission to help energize people to unleash their potential with a focused portfolio of accessible, great-tasting health and wellness brands: Pure Protein® nutrition bars; and Body Fortress® high efficacy protein powders; MET-Rx® high-performance meal replacements; and FitCrunch® delicious high protein snacks. Join our fun, fast-paced company to be a part of growing 1440 Foods into the future!

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented R&D Product Development Laboratory Technician II to join our Innovation & Business Continuity team.

This role works with moderate independence to execute complex benchtop formulations, scale up batches, conduct technical testing, and run basic equipment diagnostics in support of pilot and plant trials to ensure consistent, high-quality, and consumer-preferred products. The position requires proven technical judgment, attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset to drive innovation and business continuity projects forward. This role calls for a self-directed technician who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment and can move projects forward with limited day-to-day direction.

Job Responsibilities:

• Execute laboratory and product development activities with moderate independence, aligning with the R&D Manager and Product Development Scientists - including raw material acquisition and ordering, lab materials ordering, formulation batching, benchtop prototypes, plant trials, and production support.
• Conduct testing and technical validation (e.g., stability, sensory, analytical, and shelf-life studies), including operation, calibration, and basic diagnostics of lab equipment, to ensure alignment with sensory, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Accurately document formulation and process data, and analyze intermediate data sets to summarize trends and findings in technical reports, pilot learnings, and plant trial summaries.
• Lead batch scale-up activities and support qualification and plant trials, translating lab formulations into commercially viable products.
• Troubleshoot minor processing and formulation issues independently, escalating more complex problems with documented findings and proposed solutions.
• Support ingredient evaluations and prepare samples for sensory panels, customer presentations, and cross-functional meetings, including managing ingredient and sample inventory.
• Assist engineers and product developers with workflow optimizations, method improvements, and lab efficiency initiatives.
• Collaborate with teams across Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Operations to ensure successful and timely project execution.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized lab environment, following good laboratory and documentation practices.
• Stay informed on ingredient innovations, technologies, and emerging category trends to support formulation improvements and new ideas.

Education & Experience:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a science field - Food Science, Culinology, Chemistry, Biology or related - required.
• 2-4 years of hands-on laboratory experience, preferably in CPG or nutritional foods (bars, powders, RTDs).

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Working knowledge of ingredient functionality, formulation principles, and sensory evaluation, with proficiency in scaling formulas, accurate weighing and batching, and operating and diagnosing standard lab equipment.
• Ability to communicate progress, issues, and results clearly and promptly to supervisors and teammates.
• Can-do attitude with a passion for continuous learning and hands-on work - able to manage assigned projects with moderate supervision.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, able to shift priorities quickly and take ownership of assigned tasks.
• Solutions-oriented and proactive.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis for intermediate data sets; experience with formulation tools or lab documentation systems preferred.

Work Environment:

• Exposure to the R&D laboratory, office setting, and food manufacturing facility.
• Significant amount of time working at a lab bench, with time also spent at a computer station.
• Regular visits to various areas of the manufacturing floor.
• Must wear required PPE while in all manufacturing areas.
• Moving parts and machinery are present in the plant.

Physical demands:

• Frequent standing and walking, with periods of sitting.
• Occasional ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• Noise levels will vary, higher noise levels exist while in the plant operations areas.

What We Offer:

• Compensation: Competitive pay including automatic wage increases with continued service, performance bonuses, and 401(k) with company match.
• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision benefits effective day one, HSA and FSA, EAP program, and onsite gym.
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Learning and Advancement: In-house training and internal job board for promotion opportunities.
• Recognition and Rewards: Performance bonuses and service awards.
• Community Outreach: Charitable activities and local impact opportunities.
• Other Perks: Free protein bars and healthy snacks.