Sr. Scientist, Production Development & Innovation
About The Position
The Product Development & Innovation Scientist combines formulation expertise, scientific research, and innovation to develop and optimize medical foods and dietary supplements. The role translates emerging science, ingredients, and technologies into differentiated, evidence-supported products that are technically robust, operationally feasible, and commercially viable. It also drives continuous improvement across Product Development & Innovation to simplify processes and improve development speed and efficiency. The position develops products from concept through commercialization, prepares and evaluates batches, assesses ingredients and manufacturing considerations, and partners with internal teams and external manufacturers to deliver compliant, scalable products. It also leads formulation and process optimization, evaluates scientific and market developments, identifies new product opportunities, and communicates technical findings to stakeholders. The role is based out of Gig Harbor, Washington, and requires at least three workdays per week at the Metagenics Gig Harbor office. Occasional meetings outside normal working hours may be required to support global collaboration.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, Health Science, Naturopathy, or a related discipline; an advanced diploma may be considered with significant relevant industry experience.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in formulation, research, innovation, and commercialization within the food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, or related consumer-health industry.
- Demonstrated experience locating and interpreting scientific literature and translating evidence into product, formulation, or claims recommendations.
- Strong knowledge of product formulation, ingredient functionality, nutritional science, product innovation, experimental design, scale-up, stability, and commercialization.
- Advanced analytical, research, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
- Clear written, verbal, presentation, and public-speaking skills, including the ability to communicate complex science to varied audiences.
- Ability to build internal and external relationships, influence cross-functional teams, lead change, and work effectively in a global environment.
- High accountability, sound judgment, flexibility, and ability to independently prioritize and deliver multiple projects against competing deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel.
- Ability to attend occasional meetings outside normal working hours to support global collaboration.
- GMP training and compliance are required.
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, foods, medical foods, and dietary supplements from concept through commercialization.
- Prepare and evaluate benchtop, pilot, scale-up, stability, sensory, and clinical-study batches; troubleshoot formulation and process challenges.
- Evaluate ingredients, suppliers, manufacturing processes, specifications, stability requirements, costs, and operational feasibility.
- Partner with Production, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, external manufacturers, and suppliers to deliver compliant, scalable products on schedule.
- Create and maintain development records, specifications, manufacturing instructions, cost sheets, SOPs, and technology-transfer documentation.
- Identify opportunities to optimize formulations, ingredients, and specifications while improving manufacturing efficiency.
- Build technical and business cases for optimization opportunities and partner cross-functionally to implement them.
- Drive process improvements to reduce development cycle times, eliminate non-value-added work and rework, standardize best practices, and improve right-first-time execution.
- Evaluate scientific literature, clinical evidence, emerging ingredients, technologies, and market developments as a scientific expert for assigned categories.
- Identify and assess new ingredients, technologies, product formats, and concepts; develop prototypes and recommend opportunities with scientific and commercial potential.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Innovation, and R&D teams on product concepts, scientific positioning, and evidence-based claims.
- Build scientific, supplier, and manufacturing networks to strengthen the innovation and product-development pipeline.
- Translate scientific and technical findings into clear recommendations for technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Annual employer HSA funding for eligible employees who elect an HSA medical plan.
- Short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life and AD&D coverage.
- 401(k) with employer matching.
- Vacation and sick time.
- Two paid volunteer days per year.
- Emergency evacuation time off.
- 11 paid company holidays.
- One floating holiday to celebrate a birthday or an important religious holiday.
- Quarterly product allowance for Metagenics products.
- Product discount.
- Peer-to-peer recognition programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
