Product Development Scientist

The Product Development Scientist is responsible for all aspects of the technical product formulation and process development through commercialization of all dosage forms including gummies, capsules etc. across the SmartyPants Vitamins business in addition to the development of novel technologies and delivery forms that offer differentiation to the brand. The position will develop and utilize best practices and procedures in product and process development, leveraging ingredient and processing innovation in the development and commercialization of new, improved and cost-optimized formulations.

The ideal candidate will be motivated, dedicated, detail-oriented, possess strong project management agility to manage multiple projects at the same time championing them from concept through commercialization. This individual must demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration skills and have a passion for making a big impact at a high-growth company that is revolutionizing the dietary supplement and wellness industries.

What You’ll Do:

• Deliver product development activities with agility from technical formulation design, prototype development of new products and reformulations through scale up and commercialization.
• In collaboration with Nutrition Science partners, develop product formulations that meet company financial targets.
• Lead the scale-up, technical transfer, product development of new and existing products and oversee the seamless commercialization of all products with our co-Manufacturing partners.
• Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory Affairs in the standardization of blend, raw material, Product stability and formulation specifications in accordance with QA/RA requirements, while meeting developmental and financial targets.
• Build relationships and partner with suppliers, development labs and contract manufacturers to develop and commercialize new products that meet all product critical attributes and timelines.
• The R&D Scientist understands and explains the importance of basic scientific principles as well as experimental design, and then clearly manage and communicate results to project teams.
• Effectively troubleshoot and solve complex formulation & technical challenges in collaboration with our development partners & co-manufacturing partners with speed and robustness.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of all developmental projects.
• Collaborate with Quality and Operations in the sourcing and technical qualification of new raw materials, highlighting supply chain and cost implications as appropriate and collaborating with cross functional partners to resolve.
• Optimize supply chain logistics and ensure supply chain continuity by effectively managing material substitutions, quality issues and/or product disruptions.
• Develops strategic partnerships with external industry leaders and internal stakeholders to generate innovation and new opportunities.
• Ensure proper prototype organoleptic evaluations and documentation.
• Provides leadership vigilance on our product portfolio. Identifies risk and champions opportunities for product optimization that improves consumer experience, delivers cost savings, and supports the company’s strategic objectives.
• Identify and champion new technologies, ingredients and processes that support continuous product improvement and in-market differentiation.
• Responsible for production of product samples for market research and clinical studies under GMP conditions.
• Keeps current with the dietary supplement category, competition, formulation/processing technologies and nutritional ingredients trends and brings those insights into the organization.
• Support other product development tasks as needed.
• Other job-related duties as requested

What You Have:

• Requires a college degree in Food Science/Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition or a related science is required. Graduate degree a plus.
  • Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 4 years of experience in dietary supplement, pharmaceutical and/or food product development.
  • Master’s degree plus a minimum of 3 years of experience in dietary supplement, pharmaceutical and/or food product development.
  • PhD degree plus a minimum of 2 years of experience in dietary supplement, pharmaceutical and/or food product development.
• Excellent track record of partnering with co-manufacturing sites for product development, scale up and commercialization.
• Proven track record of leading product development from ideation to commercialization.
• Proven technical project expertise in the development and process scale up of gummies. Tablets, 2-piece hard capsules, soft gels and powders is a plus.
• Experience identifying project risk and development of strategies to mitigate them.
• Project management & prioritization of projects, balancing multiple project initiatives simultaneously and being flexible to changing directions
• The individual must be able to deal with ambiguity, adapt to change and persevere
• It also requires the ability to identify critical path items and risks, and effectively communicate these to both the business team and management.
• Capacity to maintain a high degree of organization across multiple projects.
• Technically proficient and skilled at forging strong relationships with internal and external partners to assess risk and drive decisions.
• Thorough understanding of GMP requirements and experience implementing standards and processes that ensure compliance with the FDA Part 111 for Dietary Supplements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to interact with all personality types and behaviors; flexibility
• Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure, fast paced environment

What you’ll get:

• Robust benefits package with employer contribution
• Monthly wellness perks
• Flexible work hours
• FREE SmartyPants Vitamins plus a friends & family discount
• Dog-friendly office
• Casual dress code & open office environment
• Volunteer opportunities
• A rewarding career at a company with a strong mission, great culture, and super fun, passionate people
• The pay range for this position is $90,000 to $110,000. SmartyPants Vitamins takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs. This position is bonus eligible. SmartyPants Vitamins employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance, retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays. Any coverages for health insurance will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Office Environment:

SmartyPants is a fast-moving and mission-driven company that values transparency, excellence, and transformation.  Our headquarters in Marina del Rey are a former architect's office, a two-story space where we work in an open environment with no elevator access to our 2nd floor offices.  We have a communal garden, and we are dog-friendly, often with several pups in the office at any given time.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as the working environment is open and has no doors or cubicles. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SmartyPants Vitamins is a Los Angeles based company with a hybrid work environment that includes 2-3 in-office days per week.  Our hybrid model is subject to evaluation on an ongoing basis. 

SmartyPants Vitamins is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

About Us:

We are SmartyPants Vitamins – the best-selling vitamin and supplement brand known for making high-quality, nutrient-dense, unbelievably delicious gummy multivitamins for the whole family. In 2020 we joined Unilever as part of the Health & Wellbeing Collective, yielding additional support as we continue to grow the brand globally. From the start, SmartyPants Vitamins has been about family, authenticity and a core commitment to our collective well-being.  SmartyPants believes in making it easier to stay healthy by providing best-in-class products that also taste great. 

We're industry leaders in testing, transparency, and advocacy, from sourcing the highest-quality ingredients to testing and packaging.  We have an appreciation for the comedy and intensity that comes from working in a company with explosive growth and a strong sense of social responsibility.

Our mission is to bring better health to the real world. How? By making premium products that are crafted to fit delightfully into the lives of real families, and by giving back to women and children in need with the help of our partners at Vitamin Angels. With over 27MM nutrient grants donated to date, and happy customers all over the world, we are well on our way to accomplishing our goal.  

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000