What are the responsibilities and job description for the R & D Manager position at Paragon Laboratories?
Summary of Position:
The R&D Manager is responsible for leading the development, optimization, innovation, and management of dietary supplement formulations based on customer specifications and requirements. The desired candidate must have experience formulating tablets and hardshell capsule formulations. This role requires balancing technical expertise with client-facing responsibilities, ensuring that formulations meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and production capabilities. The R&D Manager collaborates with internal teams and clients to deliver high-quality, scalable products that align with industry standards and timelines.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Product Development and Formulation:
The R&D Manager is responsible for leading the development, optimization, innovation, and management of dietary supplement formulations based on customer specifications and requirements. The desired candidate must have experience formulating tablets and hardshell capsule formulations. This role requires balancing technical expertise with client-facing responsibilities, ensuring that formulations meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and production capabilities. The R&D Manager collaborates with internal teams and clients to deliver high-quality, scalable products that align with industry standards and timelines.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Product Development and Formulation:
- Develop and customize dietary supplement formulations (powders, capsules, tablets) to meet client specifications.
- Optimize existing formulations to improve efficacy, taste, stability, and cost efficiency.
- Conduct research on ingredients, technologies, and trends to drive innovation.
Compliance and Documentation:
- Ensure all formulations comply with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, Health Canada, NSF, organic certifications).
- Prepare and review technical documentation, including specifications, master manufacturing records (MMRs), and technical data sheets.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation of all formulation activities, including quotes, production issues and corrective actions.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Regulatory teams to ensure seamless product development.
- Collaborate with procurement teams to source and evaluate raw materials suitable for formulations.
- Partner with production teams to ensure formulations are scalable, efficient, and manufacturable within facility constraints.
- Assist in troubleshooting production challenges related to formulations.
Leadership and Team Development:
- Supervise and mentor a team of formulation scientists or technicians, fostering professional growth.
- Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Project Management:
- Manage multiple client projects simultaneously, maintaining timelines and budgets.
- Maintain detailed project records and provide regular updates to clients and internal stakeholders.
Innovation and Market Trends:
- Stay informed on ingredient innovations, market trends, and regulatory changes to offer cutting-edge solutions to clients.
- Provide insights and recommendations for improving product performance and marketability.
- Other duties as assigned by management.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Include overseeing the work and development of formulation chemists to ensure organizational goals are met.
- Setting clear goals, expectations, and priorities for the team.
- Providing guidance and support to help employees achieve their objectives.
- Monitoring employee performance and providing constructive feedback.
- Identifying skill gaps and training needs within the team.
- Assigning tasks and projects based on employee skills and workload.
- Ensuring team adherence to organizational policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
- Managing team-related documentation, such as timesheets, reports, and performance records.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or master’s in chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, or a related field.
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in dietary supplement formulation formulating tablets and 2-piece hardshell capsule formulations, preferably in a contract manufacturing environment.
- Proven ability to manage client relationships and deliver customized solutions.
- Strong understanding of dietary supplement ingredients, regulatory requirements, and industry trends. (21CFR11)
- Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Effective written and verbal communication, especially in client-facing situations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with NSF, organic, or sports certification processes.
- Familiarity with contract manufacturing processes, equipment, and scale-up challenges.
Physical Requirements:
- Requires standing/walking 20% - 30% of the day, up to 3 hours.
- Minimal lifting, no more than 20 kg.
- Sitting stationery roughly 70%–80% of the day, up to 5 hours, with focus on computer tasks.
- Some slight bending/maneuvering.
Salary : $110,000
