Formulation Scientist (Dietary Supplements)

DRVITA INC•Las Vegas, NV

8d•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Nature’s Lab, a division of DrVita, Inc., is seeking a hands-on Formulation Scientist to join its Research and Development team in Las Vegas, Nevada. The role supports the development, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization of dietary supplements in capsules, tablets, powders, and gummies. The scientist will develop products from concept through commercial production, resolve practical formulation and processing challenges, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Strong experience in either tablet formulation, compression, and coating or gummy formulation and processing is particularly valued; expertise in every delivery format is not expected. This is a full-time, onsite position involving regular work in laboratory and manufacturing environments. The salary range is $75,000–$90,000 annually, based on relevant experience and technical capabilities. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; employment-based visa sponsorship is not provided. The final candidate must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screening as a condition of employment in a cGMP-regulated facility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in food science, pharmaceutical science, chemistry, chemical engineering, biology, nutrition, or a related scientific discipline, or a combination of relevant education and substantial hands-on formulation experience in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, food products, or a closely related industry.
At least two years of experience in formulation development, process development, product development, or a related technical manufacturing role.
Hands-on experience developing or troubleshooting at least one of the following dosage forms: tablets, gummies, capsules, or powders.
Working knowledge of ingredient functionality, excipient selection, material behavior, and manufacturing-process development.
Experience conducting laboratory or pilot-scale trials and documenting results.
Ability to analyze technical problems, identify likely root causes, and develop practical solutions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in laboratory and manufacturing environments.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and similar business applications.
Ability to maintain accurate technical documentation in a cGMP-regulated environment.
Legal authorization to work in the United States; the employer does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of formulation experience in the dietary supplement, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, functional food, or confectionery industry.
Hands-on experience with tablet formulation, tablet compression, and film coating.
Experience troubleshooting tablet defects such as sticking, picking, capping, lamination, friability, hardness, disintegration, and coating irregularities.
Hands-on experience with gummy formulation, cooking, depositing, drying, curing, sanding, oiling, flavor development, texture optimization, or stability.
Experience developing products across more than one dosage form.
Experience scaling formulations from laboratory trials to pilot and commercial production.
Experience supporting first production runs and transferring technical processes to Manufacturing.
Familiarity with vitamins, minerals, botanical extracts, amino acids, specialty ingredients, flavors, sweeteners, colors, hydrocolloids, and common dietary-supplement excipients.
Understanding of cGMP requirements applicable to dietary supplement manufacturing.
Familiarity with stability testing, finished-product specifications, ingredient specifications, batch records, ERP systems, electronic document systems, or quality-management systems.
Experience working for a contract manufacturer or managing multiple customer-driven development projects.
Curiosity, practicality, organization, comfort working directly with ingredients and manufacturing equipment, ownership of projects, constructive response to feedback, early communication of concerns, and adaptability as priorities and product requirements change.

Responsibilities

Develop dietary supplement formulations in capsules, tablets, powders, and gummies from concept through commercial production.
Select active ingredients, excipients, flavors, colors, sweeteners, coating systems, and processing aids based on product requirements.
Evaluate raw-material characteristics, including particle size, density, flow, compressibility, hygroscopicity, solubility, compatibility, and organoleptic properties.
Design and conduct laboratory and pilot-scale trials to assess formulation performance and manufacturing feasibility.
Develop formulations that meet potency, serving-size, dosage-form, sensory, stability, cost, and label-claim requirements.
Troubleshoot formulation and processing issues involving powders, tablets, coatings, gummies, flavor, and stability.
Optimize formulations and manufacturing processes to improve quality, consistency, throughput, yield, and scalability.
Operate or support development and pilot equipment, including tablet presses, tablet coaters, blenders, mills, encapsulation equipment, powder-processing equipment, and gummy-processing equipment, as applicable.
Prepare formulas, processing instructions, trial protocols, technical reports, specifications, and manufacturing documentation.
Establish critical process parameters and communicate processing requirements to Manufacturing.
Lead or support transfer of formulations from laboratory development to pilot and commercial-scale production.
Provide hands-on support during first production runs, validation batches, troubleshooting trials, and product rework activities.
Investigate formulation deviations, manufacturing failures, and out-of-specification performance using structured root-cause analysis.
Recommend and evaluate alternate raw materials, suppliers, and excipient systems when needed.
Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing, Inventory Control, Planning, and other departments throughout product development.
Maintain accurate records in accordance with company procedures and cGMP requirements.
Support continuous-improvement projects involving formulation practices, manufacturing processes, laboratory capabilities, and departmental procedures.
Manage multiple development projects and priorities while meeting established timelines.

Benefits

100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees.
401(k) with up to a 6% company match.
Paid time off and paid holidays.
Quarterly vitamin allowance of up to $150.
Employee wellness program.
Gym reimbursement.
Performance-based spot bonuses.
Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.
Voluntary life insurance options.
Opportunities for professional growth and advancement as the company expands.
Hands-on exposure to a wide range of products, ingredients, customers, dosage forms, and manufacturing technologies.
Collaborative workplace that values initiative, practical problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
Stable, full-time employment with an emphasis on work-life balance.