R&D Lab Specialist

Job description

Compensation for roles at Glanbia varies depending on a wide range of factors including but not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set and level of experience. Glanbia provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired in Illinois. This range may not be applicable to other locations. The hourly rate for Illinois based employees for this role is starting at $23.00/hour. Benefits Include: Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, FSA, HSA, Life & Disability Insurance, 19 Days Paid Time Off and 6% 401K match! Job Summary The R&D Lab Support Technician plays a critical role in maintaining an “always-ready” research and development laboratory environment, enabling R&D Scientists and Developers to focus on high-value formulation, testing, and innovation activities. This position is responsible for end-to-end laboratory operational support, including raw material management, equipment readiness and maintenance, sanitation, safety compliance, pilot and bench-scale support, inventory control, and coordination of internal and external testing activities. This role centralizes numerous currently fragmented lab responsibilities into a single accountable position, improving efficiency, compliance, cost control, and throughput across the R&D organization. The position is hands-on, on-site, and may be structured with flexible or part-time hours, making it well-suited for an experienced technical professional seeking impactful contribution without a traditional upward management track. Essential Functions Duties and Responsibilities Description % of Time Maintain R&D laboratory operations to ensure facilities, equipment, and materials are consistently prepared, organized, and compliant for daily scientific work. 20% Manage raw material (RM) lifecycle including ordering, rush ordering, inventory accuracy, filling, labeling, storage, and proper disposal to minimize waste, delays, and compliance risk. 20% Support pilot and bench-scale activities through equipment setup and teardown, sanitation, test batch execution and tracking, stability testing, and assistance with weigh-outs and sample preparation. 15% Own equipment readiness including preventive maintenance coordination, calibration, basic troubleshooting, repair coordination, and documentation to ensure reliability and audit readiness. 15% Execute and coordinate laboratory safety and compliance activities including hazardous waste disposal, safety shower audits, lab audits, purge and cleanup coordination, dust hazard mitigation, pest control sign-off, and lab coat programs. 15% Serve as the primary R&D point of contact for shipping and receiving, third-party testing logistics, internal deliveries, and package handling to improve efficiency and reduce cost. 10% Support sensory testing, sample creation for internal and external use, Food Process Engineering activities (flow, segregation, sampling), laboratory supply management, stocking, dishwashing schedules, common area upkeep, and general lab flow optimization. 5% Note: This is a lab position where all food allergens (milk, soy, nuts, peanuts, wheat, egg, etc…) are present. This person will be involved in tasting a variety of product types and subsequently exposed to them. Decision Making/Problem Solving Prioritizes laboratory operational tasks daily to ensure R&D work is not delayed due to material, equipment, or facility readiness issues. Determines appropriate corrective actions for inventory discrepancies, sanitation gaps, and minor equipment issues without direct supervision. Coordinates and consolidates shipping, testing, and delivery activities to reduce cost, redundancy, and disruption to R&D staff. Education Min/Preferred Education Level Field / Major Minimum High School Diploma or GED Science, Manufacturing, or Technical discipline preferred Preferred Associate’s Degree or Technical Certification Laboratory Technology, Food Science, Chemistry, or related field Experience Minimum Years Maximum Years Comments 1 N/A Experience supporting laboratory, pilot plant, manufacturing, or technical operations environments Other Experience/Skills Hands-on experience in laboratory, pilot plant, food, nutraceutical, or chemical environments. Strong working knowledge of inventory systems, laboratory equipment, sanitation practices, and safety standards. Ability to manage multiple operational tasks simultaneously with high attention to detail. Comfortable working cross-functionally with scientists, developers, safety teams, and external vendors. Practical problem-solver with a service-oriented mindset and strong organizational skills. Physical Demands – Complete on all roles The work is classified as Light - Medium Physical Demand Level (PDL) by the US Dept. of Labor’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Frequencies: Occasional (1-33%); Frequent (34-66%); Constant (67-100%) Postural Demands Demand Frequency Sitting Occasional Standing Frequent Walking Frequent Bending/Stooping Frequent Lifting Demands (up to 50Lbs) Demand Frequency Designation Lift up to waist Frequent Lift on up to shoulder Occasional Lift on up to overhead Occasional Carry on up to 25 feet Frequent Carry up stairs Occasional At Glanbia, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a wide variety of candidates, and we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. At Glanbia our culture will celebrate individuality, knowing that together we are more.