Product Innovation Technologist
About The Position
The Product Innovation Technologist leads front‑end innovation (FEI) activities within Product Development, focusing on technology scoping, early feasibility, prototyping, and development of breakthrough product concepts and technical platforms. Operating at the “fuzzy front end,” this role identifies emerging technologies, evaluates novel ingredients and processes, and translates consumer insights into credible technical opportunities that inform business case creation. The Innovation Technologist partners closely with the Marketing Innovation & Insights team while maintaining autonomy to independently scan the technology landscape, build external partnerships, and identify opportunities that support both brand expansion and broader technical advancement. Working collaboratively across PD, especially with NPD formulators, PD engineers, and business‑sustaining teams, the Innovation Technologist ensures concepts are technically credible, feasible, and ready for transition into the stage gate process for full development.
Requirements
- BS or MS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Nutritional Science, or related technical field.
- 5+ years of experience in product innovation, front‑end innovation, technology scoping, R&D, or early‑stage product development.
- Experience with dietary supplements, functional foods, OTC‑adjacent categories, or consumer health products.
- Strong technical curiosity and ability to translate ambiguous ideas into structured technical opportunities.
- Creative problem‑solving with the ability to operate in ambiguity and build clarity from fuzzy inputs.
- Excellent cross‑functional communication and influence skills, especially with Marketing Innovation & Insights and NPD.
- Ability to manage multiple upstream workstreams and maintain organized documentation.
- Strategic thinking with the ability to identify long‑term technology platforms and near‑term concept opportunities.
- Must be proficient with MS Office and have advanced Excel skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience collaborating with Marketing innovation teams strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Identify emerging technologies, ingredients, processes, and delivery formats through supplier engagement, strategic partnerships, technical networks, and independent landscape scanning.
- Develop and assess technology platforms for potential application across dietary supplements, OTC‑adjacent formats, and novel product experiences.
- Maintain ongoing awareness of consumer trends, scientific advancements, regulatory shifts, and industry innovation to inform FEI strategy and inspire new opportunities.
- Translate consumer insights, marketing concepts, and technical opportunities into early‑stage prototypes and feasibility assessments across multiple delivery forms (softgel, gummy, powder, packaging, novel formats).
- Conduct early technical vetting of Marketing Innovation & Insights concepts, identifying feasibility risks, manufacturability considerations, stability implications, and technology requirements.
- Develop technical pathways, prototype briefs, and feasibility summaries that support business case creation and prepare concepts for entry into the stage‑gate process.
- Build and maintain the FEI pipeline by leading multiple innovation workstreams, managing priorities, timelines, risks, and deliverables.
- Collaborate closely with NPD formulators, PD engineers, Regulatory, QA, and Strategic Sourcing to ensure technical alignment and smooth transition from FEI into development.
- Partner with Marketing Innovation & Insights to co‑create concepts while ensuring PD maintains technical ownership, scientific rigor, and feasibility‑driven decision making.
- Establish and maintain relationships with ingredient suppliers, processing equipment vendors, universities, and technology providers to accelerate innovation and expand technical capabilities.
- Evaluate supplier pipelines, conduct early material assessments, and integrate novel ingredients or technologies into FEI concepts.
- Communicate project progress, key learnings, feasibility outcomes, and recommendations to PD leadership, Marketing Innovation & Insights, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
