R&D Assistant

COMPANY

Papa & Barkley of California is an award-winning producer of high-quality cannabis-infused wellness products, recognized two years in a row in the Best Topicals category at both the NorCal and SoCal High Times Cannabis Cups. The company also produces and sells cannabis extracts and oils under its P&B Labs line and is launching a new ecommerce platform with a direct to consumer product line.

Papa & Barkley’s dynamic and driven leadership team has deep operational and technical market expertise in cannabis production, extraction methodologies and product development. Our culture reflects the emphasis we place on operating as a team. We have a strong vision with a focus on the science, and a shared belief in the power of the plant across multiple extraction modalities and delivery systems. As a fully-licensed cannabis company we are scaling our model and becoming a leader in the emerging California cannabis market.

POSITION

Papa & Barkley is a privately-held consumer products company seeking an R&D Assistant to work closely with the Chief Product Officer on new product development initiatives from bench samples to scale-up.

The successful candidate will possess strong sensory evaluation skills, have experience in the art and science of formulation, and will have the ability to incorporate both technical feedback and nuanced verbal descriptions into meaningful practice in the process of product development. The ideal candidate will be drawn to the fluidity and pace of a high-growth organization, will have a passion for the cannabis industry, and have the capacity to expand and professionalize the R&D function as the company continues to grow. This position also requires diligence, focus, an appreciation for detail, and the ability to work consistently toward an uncertain end.

The R&D Assistant will report to the Chief Product Officer and will be based in Papa & Barkley’s offices in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles with occasional travel to the P&B Labs manufacturing facility in Eureka, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Source ingredients and prepare batch samples for testing at various phases of the product development cycle (initial concept, focus group, pre-launch).
• Provide analytical support to new product innovations and launches; assist in the creation and execution of descriptive and comparative sensory protocols to characterize product attributes and quantify differences.
• Compile, document and organize data and technical reporting throughout the development process.
• Perform stability testing and provide troubleshooting for unstable formulas.
• Collaborate with the CPO to translate approved formulation specifications into effective products that can be manufactured to scale.
• Develop and implement SOP’s for approved formulas; engage in production oversight and training for pre-launch of new products.
• Provide organizational support to the CPO, including coordinating communications, logistics for meetings and travel, and administrative details.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking candidates who have accumulated knowledge from professional experiences, technical training and/or formal education that provides a foundation for understanding the art and science of formulation. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Professional experience with ingredients, sourcing, formulation, or manufacturing in a relevant industry (i.e. cannabis, food and beverage, nutritional supplements, personal care, cosmetics, or pharmaceuticals).
• Familiarity with or training in fragrance and flavor profiles for consumer products.
• Experience working in a lab or the proven ability to follow a formula using accurate volume and weight measurements and according to specified procedures.
• College coursework, degree or technical training in the sciences.

Job Type: Full-time

Location:

• Los Angeles, CA