Principal Scientist, Global Product Formulation

Overview

THE ROLE: 

The Principal Scientist, Global Product Formulation will lead and conduct value-added product research and development to drive business performance across all categories. This individual will drive innovation and advances in food formulation capabilities globally. This position also entails building new competencies e.g. developing food formats new to Herbalife and new to the world - to pursue new business opportunities/categories as needed.  The Principal Scientist will develop formulas from concept to commercialization feasibility state while ensuring that formulas meet expected organoleptic, shelf stability, performance, safety, claims substantiation and regulatory compliance.  The successful candidate must have a passion to explore and innovate with novel ingredients and should be creative in their approach to problem solving and delivering new products while leveraging current market insights and consumer needs.   Understanding of basic food science principles and ingredient functionality is a must. The job includes but is not limited to formulation (product development), product ideation, prototype development and scale up to commercial production.  

 

HOW YOU WOULD CONTRIBUTE: •   Drive food and supplement innovation by translating market insights and consumer needs into viable prototypes.•   Identify new technology and evaluate technical data for merit and feasibility.•   Present innovation and technological advancement in food and/or supplement.•   Develop innovative formulas from ideation to commercializable concepts interfacing with cross functional teams in collaborative manner.•   Independently create and implement strategies for formulation development and solve complex problems.•   Conduct briefings and technical meetings for top management and representatives from different groups as necessary.•   Understand and formulate to latest innovation, testing guidelines as well as regulatory requirements.•   Stay abreast of developments in the food and supplement categories.•   Apply understanding of ingredient chemistry and food science to formulate to maximum efficacy.•   Follow projects from prototype development through manufacturing ensuring all formulas meet target cost and comply with brand policy, regulatory and quality requirements.•   Ensure product stability and commercial feasibility by participating in the design and conduct of stability studies and troubleshooting under-performing formula.•   Review ingredients for basic safety and technical specifications, CoA and SDS.•   Document all formulation work, ingredient specifications and process learning and effectively share amongst technical teams.•   Develop and execute work procedures and standards to ensure formulations and processes are robust and translatable into full-scale manufacturing.•   Act as a key technical project contributor/lead, using data-based decisions from identification through commercialization.  •   Gather information for transfer to Herbalife plants or vendor partners in advance of product commercialization, documenting product and process requirements as necessary.•   Perform instrumental measurements/testing as required on product attributes as necessary.•   Externally collaborates with suppliers, universities, and agencies to rapidly solve technical issues and develop new product prototypes.•   Additional duties as assigned

 

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT THE TEAM:

The Global Product Development team is organized to fuel Herbalife Product Innovation ambition by working collaboratively between central and regional product development scientists providing Product Innovation leadership to cross functional support teams (sourcing, quality, etc) in science, product design, innovation opportunity, manufacturing process and market access. 

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: •   None•   Matrixed leadership

Qualifications

SKILLS AND BACKGROUND REQUIRED TO BE SUCCESSFUL: 

•   Proficient in Microsoft Office application, particularly Excel and PowerPoint•   Ability to multi-task and problem solve, while maintaining a clear sense of priorities and focus•   Understand global regulatory requirements, including NAM, EU, CAN, APAC/CH, MX, SAM/CAM•   Must have hands-on experience with bench prototyping and commercialization including knowledge and experience in developing food/supplements in regulated industry•   Must have experience in developing plant-based high protein shelf stable foods with clean label•   Familiarity with Prop65, Gluten free, Low GI, Vegan/vegetarian, Non-GMO, Low sugar formulations •   Must be able to research, interpret and report on technical subjects to both a technical and non-technical audience•   Excellent understanding of physical, chemical, and biological property of ingredients as well as their structure and property relationships•   Good working knowledge of performance testing, scale up to production, manufacturing limitations, stability testing, raw ingredient evaluation, and packaging compatibility•   Must have strong problem solving, interpersonal, teamwork, project management and communication skills (oral & written)•   Must be a self-starter with high level of initiatives and accountability•   Ability to predict and solve problems in a practical, timely and collaborative manner•   Ability to generate and analyze data to drive optimum decision making•   Ability to navigate in a fast-paced environment with multiple stakeholder requirements•   General knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)•   Demonstrates flexibility in taking and managing multiple assignments and pivoting as needed•   Ability to spot trends and use insights data to identify and execute on rapid prototyping of new product ideas.•   Must display attitude reflective of high performer; positive, proactive, productive, focused, and informed.

•   8 years’ experience in product development for CPG or MLM •   Business process orientation including adherence to New Product Process, testing protocols and appropriate Product Lifecycle Management (e.g. Agile) and laboratory notebook documentation •   Experience working in a GMP environment

 

Education

•   BS in food science/food engineering•   Experience and knowledge of manufacturing processes, pilot plant, and validation processes related to commercialization of food and supplement products.•   PHD in food science/food engineering preferred 

US Benefits Statement

Herbalife offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees in the U.S. (limited to the 50 States and the District of Columbia), which includes Group Health Programs, other Voluntary Benefit Programs, and Paid Time Off. Group Health Programs include Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Basic Life/AD&D; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Other Voluntary Benefit Programs include a 401(k) plan, Wellness Incentive Program, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Supplemental Life/Critical Illness/Hospitalization/Accident Insurance, and Pet Insurance. Paid time off includes Company-observed U.S. Holidays, Floating Holidays, Vacation, Sick Time, a Volunteer Program, Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave, Bereavement Leave, Personal Leave and time off for voting.