Innovation Scientist

Merical • Orange, CA

4d

About The Position

The Innovation Scientist will bridge science and business, serving as a technical partner to sales customers, and strategic partners. This role is responsible for generating compelling product concepts, supporting customer engagements, and translating emerging science into commercially viable dietary supplement innovations. The ideal candidate is both a strong scientist and an effective storyteller who can connect science, market trends, and business opportunities.

Requirements

• BS or higher degree in science field that relates to dietary supplement formulation.
• 5+ years of experience working in research and development and manufacturing environments of dietary supplements.
• Scientific creativity and innovation mindset.
• Strong storytelling and commercial communication ability.
• Customer-centric thinking.
• Ability to translate science into business value.
• Cross-functional collaboration.
• Knowledge of dietary supplement ingredients and their efficacy of use in various formats.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).
• Ability to effectively interact with all levels of personnel with the upmost professionalism.
• Ability to handle multiple, rapidly changing and conflicting priorities.
• Proven track record of innovation ideas successfully manufactured and in market.

Responsibilities

• Develop differentiated, market-relevant dietary supplement concepts that align with trends, customer briefs, emerging science, and brand positioning.
• Create prototype formulas across dosage forms (capsules, powders, gummies, etc.)
• Staying relevant on emerging science and technology trends.
• Translate consumer insights, emerging science, and manufacturing capabilities into compelling product narratives.
• Partner with sales support customer meetings as the technical subject matter expert.
• Present scientific rationale, ingredient benefits, and formulation strategies to customers.
• Lead ideation sessions, customer pitches, and innovation workshops.
• Maintain our stability and ingredient databases.
• Participate in supplied innovation meetings to identify new ingredient technologies and opportunities.
• Collaborate with strategic supplies on joint development of new scientific data and marketing-driven research.
• Translate science into commercially compelling product positioning.
• Evaluate supplier pipeline and integrate novel ingredients into innovation concepts.
• Collaborate with formulators, regulatory, and technical operations teams to advance concepts into scalable products.
• Lead new product development and reformulation projects.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and optimize product performance.
• Develop technical sell sheets, concepts decks, and innovation briefs.
• Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly for customers.
• Ensure concepts are scientifically credible and marketable.

Benefits

• No-cost vision insurance
• employer-paid life insurance
• paid company holidays
• generous paid time off
• sick leave
• employee assistance program
• comprehensive wellness program
• Affordable medical and dental insurance plans tailored for you and your dependents
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospitalization indemnity plans
• pet insurance
• 401(k) matching plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior