Director of Product Development

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Product Development is a senior scientific, technical, and functional leader responsible for setting the direction and leading the end-to-end development, formulation, commercialization, and continuous improvement of new and existing products across the Company's portfolio.

This role provides leadership throughout the complete product development lifecycle from concept and technical feasibility through ingredient evaluation, formulation, reformulation, prototype and pilot-scale development, scale-up, validation, technology transfer, commercial manufacturing, product costing, launch, and post-launch optimization. The Director is accountable for ensuring that product concepts are successfully translated into scientifically sound, commercially viable, and consistently manufacturable products.

Working closely with the Founder & CEO and cross-functional partners including Research, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Process Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Planning, Regulatory, and other business functions, the Director provides scientific direction, evaluates technical and commercialization risks, and drives cross-functional execution to ensure products meet the Company's standards for quality, efficacy, stability, manufacturability, cost, regulatory compliance, and consumer experience.

The ideal candidate will bring significant scientific and technical depth within nutraceutical or dietary supplement product development, including a strong understanding of biochemistry, ingredient functionality and interactions, formulation science, stability, and manufacturing processes. Experience across adjacent categories including functional foods and nutrition bars, chocolate and confectionery products, cosmetics and personal care products, or environmentally responsible and sustainability focused products is highly desirable.

This position requires a hands-on leader who combines scientific rigor, sound technical judgment, and practical commercialization experience with the ability to establish priorities, lead technical teams, influence cross-functional partners, and drive multiple product development initiatives through successful execution in a fast-paced, vertically integrated manufacturing environment.

Requirements
WHAT YOU BRING

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nutrition, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline; advanced or graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive product development, formulation, or related technical experience, including at least five (5) years in a leadership role, preferably at the Director level or above. Significant experience within nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care products, or a closely related industry is required.
• Strong working knowledge of biochemistry, formulation science, ingredient functionality and interactions, stability, bioavailability, and product performance, with extensive knowledge of dietary supplement and nutraceutical product development processes across multiple dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and other relevant delivery formats.
• Experience with additional product categories such as functional foods, nutrition or meal-replacement bars, chocolate or confectionery products, cosmetics and personal care products, and environmentally responsible products is preferred.
• Strong understanding of applicable FDA requirements, DSHEA, FTC requirements, labeling regulations, product claims, and regulatory considerations related to dietary supplements, food products, cosmetics, and personal care products.
• Demonstrated ability to translate product concepts and scientific objectives into commercially scalable formulations and manufacturing processes.
• Experience collaborating and communicating effectively with Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, Process Engineering, and other technical and non-technical functions throughout product development and commercialization.
• Strong understanding of raw material qualification, specifications, vendor capabilities, and ingredient-sourcing considerations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate formulation and manufacturing challenges, identify root causes, interpret scientific, technical, operational, and cost data, and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to balance product quality, formulation objectives, manufacturability, ingredient availability, cost, and commercialization timelines.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, scientific, and technical skills and the ability to ask appropriate questions to ensure product and project requirements are fully understood and achieved.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple competing projects, adjust priorities as business, manufacturing, regulatory, or product development needs evolve, and take ownership through execution and completion.
• Ability to provide effective leadership, develop technical talent, establish accountability, and build a high-performing Product Development organization.
• Working knowledge of ERP, formulation, specification management, document control, or related business systems is preferred; proficient with Microsoft Office and comfortable learning and utilizing new business and technical systems.

OTHER ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for the Product Development function.
• Establish departmental priorities and ensure Product Development resources are aligned with Company and product development objectives.
• Oversee the department's participation in corporate, technical, project, and cross-functional meetings.
• Lead and manage Product Development employees by assigning responsibilities, establishing expectations, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with Company policies, procedures, and applicable laws.
• Develop, coach, and mentor Product Development employees while strengthening technical capabilities and succession planning within the department.
• Establish clear ownership, accountability, timelines, and deliverables for product development activities.
• Develop and manage the departmental budget and evaluate resource, equipment, technology, staffing, and capability needs.
• Develop and maintain appropriate departmental protocols, procedures, and development standards while identifying opportunities to improve processes, speed to commercialization, documentation, technical rigor, and cross-functional execution.
• Support Company quality and continuous-improvement initiatives by planning, communicating, and encouraging meaningful team and individual contributions.

Product Development and Formulation

• Lead and participate in the pre-formulation, formulation, reformulation, optimization, and commercialization of new and existing products while providing scientific and technical direction throughout the product development lifecycle, from concept through full-scale manufacturing.
• Apply knowledge of biochemistry, ingredient functionality, delivery systems, and processing conditions to evaluate ingredients and formulations for efficacy, stability, compatibility, sensory performance, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, cost, and overall product objectives.
• Develop and execute laboratory, prototype, pilot-scale, and production-scale trials, including scale-up, validation, and technology-transfer activities.
• Work closely with Process Engineering and Manufacturing to ensure formulations can be produced consistently, efficiently, and successfully at commercial scale.
• Lead the investigation and resolution of formulation, processing, stability, sensory, quality, manufacturing, ingredient, and product performance issues.
• Work closely with the Founder & CEO, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Procurement, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, and other departments to ensure finished products meet Company objectives and approved specifications.
• Provide final scientific and technical review and approval of new and existing product formulations in accordance with established Company approval processes.
• Maintain appropriate formulation documentation, specifications, development records, technical rationale, and change history.
• Evaluate existing formulations and identify opportunities to improve quality, performance, stability, manufacturability, sourcing flexibility, sustainability, and cost.

Product Commercialization

• Lead the transition of new products from development into commercial manufacturing by establishing clear formulation and processing requirements for successful scale-up and repeatable production.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Procurement, Planning, and other functions to identify, assess, and resolve commercialization risks before product launch.
• Provide scientific and technical oversight during production trials and initial commercial manufacturing runs.
• Ensure formulations, raw materials, manufacturing parameters, specifications, and quality requirements are appropriately aligned and approved before commercialization.
• Lead post-launch evaluation, technical troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of newly commercialized products.

Product Cost Management

• Maintain accurate formulation, raw material, component, and product-cost information within applicable systems.
• Partner with Procurement, Finance, Manufacturing, and other functions to evaluate the impact of ingredient selection, sourcing decisions, yields, processing requirements, and formulation changes on product cost.
• Identify opportunities to improve product economics and cost-effectiveness without compromising product quality, efficacy, consumer experience, supply continuity, or Company standards.

Raw Materials and Ingredient Management

Partner with Procurement, Quality Assurance, and Quality Control to:

• Develop, review, and manage raw-material specifications.
• Evaluate the scientific and functional suitability, quality, stability, compatibility, processing behavior, and finished-product impact of new and existing raw materials.
• Identify and recommend new, improved, alternate, or emerging raw materials and suppliers that support product development objectives, quality, supply continuity, and cost requirements.
• Recommend appropriate raw-material storage and handling requirements based on usage, material characteristics, stability, and environmental, heat, or moisture sensitivity.
• Participate in the technical review and qualification of raw-material suppliers by evaluating vendor capabilities and providing technical and formulation expertise.
• Support the proactive investigation and resolution of supplier and raw material nonconformance issues.

Quality, Regulatory, and Technical Compliance

• Ensure Product Development activities are conducted in accordance with applicable Company quality systems, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Regulatory to establish scientifically appropriate product and raw-material specifications, testing requirements, stability programs, and technical documentation.
• Provide scientific and technical input regarding product labeling, ingredient declarations, product claims, and supporting documentation.
• Provide formulation and product development expertise during investigations, root-cause analyses, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain awareness of scientific, regulatory, ingredient, technology, and industry developments that may affect the Company's products or product development strategy.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Identify emerging ingredients, technologies, delivery systems, formulation approaches, manufacturing processes, and consumer trends that may support future product innovation.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve ingredient utilization, product performance, manufacturing efficiency, sustainability, and consumer experience, including environmentally responsible product, ingredient, packaging, or process solutions aligned with Company objectives.
• Balance innovation with scientific validity, regulatory compliance, manufacturability, quality, and commercial feasibility.
• Encourage disciplined experimentation, scientific curiosity, and continuous improvement within the Product Development team.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the Founder & CEO and collaborate with Research, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory, Procurement, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Planning, Finance, Marketing, and other business functions on product development, formulation, and commercialization matters.
• Clearly communicate technical information, risks, recommendations, and decisions to scientific and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensure Product Development provides timely information and technical support to downstream functions.
• Participate in cross-functional prioritization and project planning to ensure the appropriate sequencing and allocation of resources across product development initiatives.

Ad Hoc Projects

• Assist the Founder & CEO and senior leadership with scientific, product-development, operational, and strategic projects, as assigned.
• Conduct technical evaluations and provide recommendations regarding ingredients, products, processes, technologies, suppliers, or business opportunities, as requested.
• Conduct business in compliance with the Corporation's Code of Business Conduct and all applicable policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Duties are primarily performed in a professional, smoke-free office and manufacturing environment.
• Position may require re