Senior Product Development Scientist

Summary / Objective :

The Senior Product Development Scientist, under the direction of the Director of Formulation, will formulate and develop nutritional supplements products that are novel, contain key differentiating factors, and are validated by clinical studies.

Product development responsibilities include conducting ingredient research, preparing new product formulations, maintaining and improving existing products, preparing benchtop lab samples, and preparing sample taste evaluations.

In addition, they will assist with conducting studies for internal testing and validation. This position is a highly collaborative one, and requires working closely with Regulatory, Operations, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Sales teams to ensure proper formulation, production, and registration of Unicity’s nutritional products in 40+ global markets.

This position is guided by R&D leadership, but expected to work independently and effectively on assigned projects.

Essential Functions :

• New and existing product formulation Create new master formulas as well as maintain current master formulas Collaborate with Marketing, Regulatory and Purchasing in new ingredient qualification and document collection for both secondary sourcing and new product development Work with internal and external manufacturers to develop, scale up and oversee pilot and initial product manufacturing Interface with internal and external manufacturers to resolve ingredient and production challenges Meet with raw material suppliers for sourcing and to monitor industry trends
• Ingredient Research
• Conduct ingredient literature searches and generate scientific reports together with full scientific articles in electronic form
• Present ingredient research and product innovation ideas to internal teams
• Gain an understanding of Unicity’s core ingredients, products and mission
• Research market and / or ingredient and product trends. Monitor, share and record trends as they impact Unicity’s areas of focus and competency
• Bench-top formulation -create functional nutritional products with appealing taste and sensory profiles
• Experience with different delivery forms including : powdered RTM beverages, capsules, tablets and soft-gels
• Work on other projects as assigned Presentations, organization, etc.
• Maintain workspace in the R&D Lab
• Train and mentor junior R&D team members or interns.

Competencies :

• Ability to understand technical reading / high reading and writing level
• Able to learn and adapt quickly
• Excellent self / time-management abilities
• Sense of ownership of assigned projects / duties
• High attention to details and ability to carefully document and organize complex information
• Confident, clear communication via email, instant messaging, phone, video conferencing, and in-person
• Strong proficiency in using spreadsheets for formulations, calculations and data delivery
• Proficiency in chemistry concepts and mathematical calculations (percentage, potency, overage, etc.)
• Positive attitude and optimism with a collaborative behavior
• Flexibility with projects assigned
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills

Work Environment :

This job operates in a professional office, scientific laboratory environment and in production facilities

Physical demands :

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and standing in a laboratory environment. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times

Required Education & Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (Nutrition, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Exercise and Sports Science, Food Science, Biology, etc) with 5 years or more of nutritional formulation and product development experience
• Knowledge of human health and current trends in the nutraceutical industry
• Experience working in food or supplement manufacturing facilities
• Intermediate / advanced computer skills Genesis a plus
• Experience in working in food, beverage, or dietary supplement product development
• Understanding of good practices in manufacturing Dietary Supplement and US Labeling laws

Work Authorization / Security Clearance :

• US citizenship or legally able to work in the United States
30+ days ago