Director Research and Development (On-Site)

Lief Labs is a premier formulation and product development innovator and manufacturer of dietary supplements. Our in-house product development and R&D team creates the best-tasting and cutting-edge supplement formulations. Lief also houses a state-of-the-art, full-service Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) manufacturing facility, which offers custom solutions for many supplement categories. Lief collaborates with entrepreneurial firms to help them build premier brands. Our turnkey solutions allow us to engage in seamless partnerships that help brands with scalability and sustainable growth. Lief Labs is in the Santa Clarita Valley (Valencia, CA.)

Summary

Strong leader with deep technical mastery in the areas Dietary Supplements who can lead the product formulation development, scale up and technical transfer of new products and build technical capability within the organization. The candidate will work closely with other business leaders in the organization and Lief Clients to drive innovation and efficient product development, scale-up and technical transfer.

As the Director of R&D , you will play a critical role in driving the company's innovation and product development efforts. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the research and development process, from conceptualization to commercialization, while ensuring adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong science and product development background in the dietary supplement or pharmaceutical industries, excellent business development & leadership skills, and a proven track record of bringing successful products to market.

Responsibilities

• Oversee efficient Product formulation, development, scale-up and technical transfer of innovative new products.
• Interface with Lief's Clients to understand the brand journey and deliver innovative new products in a timely manner.
• Lead and manage the Research and Development department, providing strategic direction, guidance, and support to a team of scientists, researchers, and technicians.
• Develop and implement the company's R&D strategy to drive innovation and support the achievement of business goals and objectives.
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and feasibility studies to formulation, process development, and scale-up and technical transfer to Manufacturing.
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within the R&D team, encouraging the generation of novel ideas and creative problem-solving.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, and Manufacturing, to ensure seamless coordination and execution of projects.
• Review and approve research proposals, experimental protocols, and project plans to ensure alignment with corporate objectives and scientific rigor
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in the dietary supplement industry, technologies, and industry trends to drive continuous improvement and stay competitive in the market.
• Determine priorities, define the work, and set expectations in other to deliver superior products.
• Manage R&D budgets and resources effectively, optimizing allocation to support projects and timelines.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with external partners, academic institutions, and research organizations to foster collaborations and leverage external expertise.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines, industry standards, and quality requirements throughout the R&D process.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management and stakeholders on the progress of R&D projects and initiatives.
• Mentor and develop R&D team members, promoting their professional growth and fostering a culture of learning and development.
• Additional duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor or Master of Science degree (PhD preferred but not required) in Food Science, Nutrition or Biochemistry. Other Science degrees (e.g. Biology, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering) will be considered when combined with pertinent product development experience.

Experience :

Skills / Abilities Problem Solving

Work Environment

The office is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated. Noise levels are considered low to moderate. Field conditions vary.

Exposed to various raw materials, including allergens (i.e. milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nut, peanuts, wheat, soy).

Physical Demands

Must be able to see, hear, speak, and write clearly to communicate with employees, customers, and / or vendors-manual dexterity required for occasional reaching and lifting of small objects and operating office equipment.

The employee must frequently grasp, lift, and / or move items over 10 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Additional Information

The Salary Range for this position at Lief Labs is 140k-170k (USD). Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to market demands, experience, training, skills, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, wellness benefits, education reimbursement program, and PTO. This position is bonus-eligible.

Lief is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, or sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Suppose you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran. In that case, you have the right to request accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center due to your disability. To request an accommodation, contact the Lief Human Resources department.

Lief will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Lief uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility in the United States. E-Verify compares the information on your Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to official government records.