Product Development Manager

Ilera Holistic Healthcare•Baker, LA

About The Position

The Product Development Manager is responsible for driving the development of new cannabis products from concept through commercialization. This role leads R&D activities, manages test runs, develops standardized operating procedures, sources equipment, and supports the scale‑up into initial production batches. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise, creativity, and strong operational discipline to bring innovative, compliant, and high‑quality medical marijuana products to market.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, Engineering, or related technical field or equivalent experience.
3+ years of experience in product development, R&D, or manufacturing (cannabis, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, or CPG preferred).
Strong understanding of formulation science, extraction fundamentals, and manufacturing processes.
Experience writing SOPs and working within regulated environments.
Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and project management skills.
A complete background investigation will be conducted based on the laws of Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Health rules for therapeutic marijuana employment. This will include a criminal background check conducted by a third-party as well as any additional background check which the state may request at their discretion.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the cannabis industry, specifically medical marijuana manufacturing.
Familiarity with state regulatory requirements for cannabis processing, testing, and labeling.
Experience with pilot-scale equipment or scaling lab formulations to production environments.

Responsibilities

Participate in product strategy discussions and contribute to new product ideas based on market trends, patient needs, and internal capabilities.
Evaluate feasibility of proposed products by completing the Target Product Profile (TPP) in coordination with Operations Manager, Compliance, and relevant department manager.
Identify equipment needs for new products and processes, including small‑scale R&D equipment and production machinery.
Lead R&D development activities from concept through lab-scale proof‑of‑concept.
Document R&D findings, stability data, and product specifications.
Ensure all development work adheres to state regulatory requirements and internal compliance standards.
Plan and execute test batches and pilot production runs to validate formulas and processes.
Analyze test results and adjust formulations or processes as needed to achieve consistency, quality, and manufacturability.
Collaborate with the Manufacturing Director to transition products from R&D to full-scale production.
Support equipment installation, qualification, and staff training as needed.
Develop detailed manufacturing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all new products and processes.
Work closely with QA to ensure SOPs meet regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.
Oversee the inital production batches of new products to ensure correct execution of processes and specifications.
Work with QA to verify that initial batches meet all quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Support troubleshooting, process adjustments, and scalability improvements during early production stages.