Director, Research

Plexus Worldwide•Scottsdale, AZ

About The Position

The Director, Research leads Plexus’s clinical research, scientific substantiation, publications, external research partnerships, and product training. The role translates product and claim priorities into a practical research roadmap, designs and delivers human studies, and ensures the company can clearly communicate the evidence supporting its products. The Director works closely with Product Development, Product Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, and Legal; leads the Research Scientist and Product Training team; manages contract research organizations and academic partners; supports the Scientific Advisory Board; and represents Research to executive leadership. The position owns the committed 2027 study slate and develops processes to ensure research findings, claim decisions, and training materials are accurate, traceable, and useful across markets. The Director establishes ownership of the clinical research program, aligns study designs with product and claim priorities, and delivers studies according to protocol, schedule, and approved budget. The role identifies evidence gaps across current and future product lines, prioritizes research and material needs, and recommends investments using the approved ROI framework. It maintains claim dossiers tied to supporting evidence and formula versions, and provides Regulatory, Legal, and Product Marketing with guidance on what the evidence supports. The position leads scientific education for Brand Ambassadors and employees, reviews field-facing materials and training content, and keeps education aligned with current science and approved claims. It builds team capability, improves research and documentation processes, strengthens external partnerships, and develops a publication pipeline. Responsibilities also include managing research and training budgets, maintaining traceable and audit-ready study records, monitoring emerging science in gut health, the microbiome, metabolic health, and personalized nutrition, and contributing relevant opportunities and risks to product roadmap and stage-gate discussions. Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work may be required as business needs require.

Requirements

PhD in Nutritional Sciences, Microbiology, Physiology, Food Science, Biochemistry, or a related life science field.
At least eight years of research experience in dietary supplements, functional foods, or consumer health, including four years designing and leading human clinical studies on the sponsor side.
At least three years leading scientists or scientific staff, with demonstrated ability to develop a team and maintain high scientific standards.
Strong command of study design, endpoint selection, sample size and power, randomization and blinding, IRB submission, protocol writing, statistical analysis planning, and interpretation of results.
Working knowledge of DSHEA, FTC substantiation standards, and evidence requirements for U.S. structure/function claims.
Ability to write for publication and present complex findings clearly to executives, Brand Ambassadors, advisors, and external researchers, including accurately explaining limitations in the evidence.
Experience managing research budgets, timelines, contracts, and multiple concurrent studies in alignment with commercial product plans.
Deep understanding of gut microbiome science, short-chain fatty acid biology, and metabolic health, with a strong commitment to scientific integrity.

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral research experience or an additional clinical credential, such as MD or RD.
Ten years in dietary supplement research, a record of peer-reviewed publications, and a focus on gut, microbiome, or digestive health.
Five years of leadership experience.
Experience managing contract research organizations and academic partners.
Familiarity with FSANZ, EFSA, or Health Canada frameworks.
Clinical research professional certification through ACRP or SOCRA, or equivalent Good Clinical Practice training.
Direct selling or direct-to-consumer experience.

Responsibilities

Plan, design, and oversee human clinical studies, including protocols, endpoints, research partners, timelines, budgets, data analysis, and reporting.
Translate product priorities into a sequenced research plan that supports existing claims and future product development.
Build and maintain substantiation dossiers connecting claims to evidence and the applicable product formula version.
Partner with Regulatory and Legal to review claims for U.S. and international markets, identify evidence gaps, and recommend additional research.
Evaluate evidence from ingredient suppliers and other partners, distinguishing substantiated findings from marketing claims.
Lead the Product Training function and establish the scientific curriculum for Brand Ambassador and employee product education.
Serve as scientific reviewer of record for product training, field-facing scientific materials, and Product Marketing claim language.
Partner with Sales and Field Development to deliver clear, accurate education reflecting current research and approved claims.
Communicate research findings and limitations to executive leaders, the Scientific Advisory Board, and external scientific audiences.
Manage relationships with contract research organizations, academic institutions, and specialized research platforms, including scopes of work, performance, data ownership, and intellectual property terms.
Support the VP, Product Innovation in preparing Scientific Advisory Board briefings, incorporating advisor input into study design, and following through on recommendations.
Build a publication pipeline of peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference abstracts, and white papers; represent Plexus at relevant scientific and industry events.
Identify findings with intellectual property potential and work with Legal to protect company rights in study designs, data, and research agreements.
Lead, coach, and develop the Research Scientist and Product Training team, setting expectations, development plans, and scientific standards.
Establish documentation, data management, and record-keeping practices that make studies, findings, and substantiation decisions traceable and audit ready.
Manage research and training budgets, departmental procedures, and competing priorities across studies and product launches.
Monitor emerging science in gut health, the microbiome, metabolic health, and personalized nutrition, and bring relevant opportunities and risks into product roadmap and stage-gate discussions.
Work occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays as business needs require.