Sr. Scientist, Production Development & Innovation

Metagenics•Gig Harbor, WA

20h•$123,604 - $140,000•Hybrid

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, simplifying processes and improving development speed and efficiency. The role is based out of Metagenics’ Gig Harbor, Washington office, with at least three workdays per week conducted onsite. Occasional meetings outside normal working hours may be needed to support global collaboration. The position may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program.

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 and engaging 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.

Nice To Haves

An advanced diploma may be considered in place of the stated degree with significant relevant industry experience.

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, cost, 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 volunteer days off per year.
Emergency evacuation time off.
11 paid company holidays.
One floating holiday for a birthday or an important religious holiday.
Quarterly product allowance for Metagenics products.
Product discount.
Peer-to-peer recognition programs.
Possible participation in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to program rules and applicable factors.