Development research analyst job description

This role will work closely with an extensive cross functional team to ensure correct set up of packaging specifications throughout enterprise planning systems (ERP) and global specification management. This role will create and accurately maintain packaging specifications and be responsible for training packaging R&D end users in the specification system. This role is expected to develop collaborative solutions through a strong understanding of our systems, processes, and continuous improvement practices.
Minimum Requirements

* BS degree in Packaging Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field.
* 1+ years' experience working on packaging projects
* Ability to work effectively in cross functional teams and with external suppliers
* Project management experience.
* 20% Travel

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with Oracle specification system, SAP and Atlas workflow
* Advanced excel skills with ability to identify and drive system automation
* Specification writing experience
* Exposure to consumer-packaged goods industry
* Graphics system data setup and requirements understanding

Key Responsibilities

* Create packaging specifications in the ORACLE global specification system.
* Generate and assign global reference data to packaging specifications.
* Create printed packaging specifications and submit dielines to graphics team
* Accurately report project and workflow status to cross functional team.
* Drive continuous process improvement ideas through process and material/specification harmonization.
* Training of new packaging R&D end users in the global spec system
* Ensure data quality with vendors through packaging questionnaires and adherence to global templates.
* Ensure good business process knowledge, methodology, integration, and consistency in the business unit.
* Navigate business processes ensuring that critical milestones are met to maintain project timelines.
* Conduct root cause analysis for process gaps and propose solutions to addressing the gaps.
* Provide direction for Regional Change Management of packaging templates.
* Provide regional functional expertise, influencing, deciding and escalating as necessary, specific to business process requirements.
* Be involved in Mars business systems support related requests (for business users), system testing and managing applicable CIP's (Continuous Improvement Projects)

What can you expect from Mars?

* Work with over 130,000 like-minded and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
* Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
* Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
* An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

#LI-Hybrid

• A natural curiosity about technology and an interest in innovation and learning about new areas of transaction taxes
• Relevant Bachelor's degree (i.e. Accounting, Finance, Law, Economics)
• 2+ years' experience in indirect tax, research, consulting, or audit and accounting experience
• Excellent research skills, including a logical and creative approach to drilling down to specific data to surface information that is vital to the accuracy of the published content
• Effective communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to work in and support a team environment through collective team topics, load balancing, and sharing/receiving constructive feedback
• Ability to multi-task, troubleshoot, and problem solve in a calm, analytical and methodical manner that also demonstrates a sense of urgency
• Proactively participate in a dynamic and innovative tax environment by maintaining a high level of energy while being consistently dependable, efficient, and accurate
• Demonstrated ability to manage time to achieve priority results
• Ability to maintain organization and attention to detail
• Analytic ability at a level sufficient to understand and resolve client requests and tax concerns
• Ability to apply mathematical calculations, percentages, and general accounting rules
• Ability to learn and adapt to different software applications and tools
• Ability to work with large data sets in Excel
• Demonstrated high standards of excellence in work product and professionalism

Preferred Qualifications (great to have but not absolutely necessary)

• Experiences with world-wide insurance premium tax regime; US insurance premium taxes preferably.
• Accounting experience in a corporation environment is a plus
• Familiarity with tax returns and/or government compliance
• Familiarity with Atlassian Confluence and/or JIRA
• Fluency in languages other than English are a plus
• Demonstrable experience or qualifications in managing process optimization (e.g. Agile process) is a plus
• A high comfort level with technical tools

Working Style:

• Curiosity: Ability to develop and apply new solutions to solve problems; passion for applying new processes, tools and technology in a way that measurably improves business performance.
• Urgency: Strong bias for action and the achievement of tangible results; set clear & lofty goals for the organization and pursues them with enthusiasm and energy; quickly sizes up multiple situations and complex problems and makes excellent, timely decisions.
• Communications: Ability to communicate complex indirect tax concepts and processes in an effective manner to external and internal audiences with varying levels of tax domain knowledge. Must possess excellent global negotiation skills.
• Analysis and Problem Solving: Deliver content curation solutions that have a positive organizational impact & sustainably influence future directions.
• Adaptability: Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and to balance short versus long-term demands and opportunities.

About Avalara

Avalara helps businesses of all sizes achieve compliance with transaction taxes, including sales and use, VAT, excise, communications, and other tax types. The company delivers comprehensive, automated, cloud-based solutions designed to be fast, accurate, and easy to use. The Avalara Compliance Cloud platform helps customers manage complicated and burdensome tax compliance obligations imposed by state, local, and other taxing authorities throughout the world.

Avalara offers more than 600 pre-built connectors into leading accounting, ERP, ecommerce and other business applications, making the integration of tax and compliance solutions easy for customers. Each year, the company processes billions of indirect tax transactions for customers and users, files more than a million tax returns, and manages millions of tax exemption certificates and other compliance documents.

Headquartered in Seattle, Avalara has offices across the U.S. and overseas in the U.K., Belgium, Brazil, and India. More information at www.avalara.com

The perks of working at Avalara go beyond amazing physical spaces and a Tiki Bar. We're committed to continued progress in diversity and inclusion. As an employee at Avalara, you'll have the opportunity to join resource groups focused on diversity of thought, engage with your local or global community about topics that matter to you and the organization and receive continued education around inclusion and development. As Avalara grows, so do the voices within it. It's time to hear your voice.

Avalara is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, national orientation, disability, sexual orientation, US Veteran status, or any other factor protected by law.

*Department: *R&D

*Location: *Fullerton, CA or Robbinsville, NJ

*Job Title: *R&D Researcher

*Position in the organization*: Lead Researcher of Single & Multi-serve Frozen Meals

*Reports to: *Sr. R&D Manager

*Purpose of the position: *

Develops new products & line extensions that are designed for the US mainstream market and reformulates existing products for cost savings and quality improvement. Supports the Frozen Meal Category Manager to grow Bibigo, Annie Chun's, Kahiki, Private Label, and Foodservice brands.

*Main Duties and Tasks*

· Support new product ideation sessions and develop new frozen entrees from concept to launch for US Club, Private Label, Retail & Foodservice channels. The development of sauces will be an integral part of the job function

· Reformulate current products to meet new cost, nutritional or sensory hurdles within the project timeline

· Source new ingredients, vendors, and/or co-packers as part of the product development process

· Support Sr. Manager in preparing & conducting production trials and all related documentation

· Utilize Genesis to provide nutritional analysis of new products

· Conduct testing to obtain product data such as cook preps, analytical testing & competitor product reports

· Engage in cross-functional meetings, an integral part of the project team

· Participate in consumer sensory testing of new products prior to launch

· Excellent computer proficiency in Microsoft Office suites such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

· Project Management skills with the ability to complete tasks independently. Passionate about food.

· Driving a rental automobile as needed; walking, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time; ability to lift up to 40 lbs. on an occasional basis; exposure to manufacturing environments that may include loud noise, heat, cold, wet and slippery conditions. Occasional business travel to other locations.

*Qualifications/skills necessary*

*-Minimum Qualification: *

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Food Science or related technical/science field and at least 2 years of related industry experience, 4yrs experience preferred

*-Preferred Qualifications: *

R&D experience in the frozen food industry, along with some culinary background strongly preferred

*-Language Skills: *

Bilingual in English and Korean is a plus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,117.05 - $159,153.06 per year

Benefits:
* 401(k)
* 401(k) matching
* Dental insurance
* Employee assistance program
* Employee discount
* Flexible schedule
* Flexible spending account
* Health insurance
* Health savings account
* Life insurance
* Paid time off
* Referral program
* Retirement plan
* Vision insurance
Schedule:
* 8 hour shift
* Monday to Friday
* Overtime

Education:
* Bachelor's (Preferred)

Work Location: One location