Senior Manager, Production Development

MegaFood, a Certified B Corporation and 1% for the Planet member, leverages 50+ years of scientific experience to thoughtfully craft quality supplements made with real food & nutrients that your body knows how to absorb. Since our founding in 1973, MegaFood has been committed to providing people safe, high quality supplements and takes food safety and quality seriously. MegaFood products are tested for 150+ pesticides are NSF GMP certified and are made without the top 9 food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame.)  MegaFood is also Certified Plastic Neutral through its partnership with rePurpose Global and has enabled recovery of over 740,000 pounds of nature-bound plastic since it became certified in 2023. Learn more at megafood.com or follow @megafood on Instagram, @realmegafood on TikTok and @MegaFood on LinkedIn.

This role is not available for any form of immigration sponsorship or support, including completion of the Form I-983 training plan required for STEM OPT. 

Position Summary
The Sr. Product Development Manager effectively manages all aspects of the formulation, product/process development, scale-up, and commercialization of dietary supplement dosage forms. Stays abreast of the competitive environment and explores product enhancements and new technologies to propose renovation and innovation ideas.
Key Responsibilities

• Manages portfolio of product development projects effectively, ensuring that all projects have clearly defined objectives, resources, and plans to deliver on-time launches.
• Provides strong technical leadership to the Product Development team to deliver on all technical aspects of the NPD process, including initial research, bench-top to commercialization, utilizing standard best practices and procedures with formulation, scale-up, and commercialization support. Proposes and implements improvements to the product development process. Leads by example in collaborating with Marketing and other cross-functional disciplines to accomplish innovation and renovation goals.
• Supports inQB8 and Nutrition Science during commercial and research Discovery projects and evaluates the technical feasibility of new concepts, leveraging a risk-based approach and “what needs to be true” mindset. Leverages consumer understanding and empathy to shape product concepts that will win with consumers.
• Oversees the R&D production of market research and clinical samples under GMP conditions. Drives sensory testing early in product development to incorporate relevant feedback and deliver best-in-class products.
• Explores, identifies, and develops innovative and proprietary technologies that have strategic significance. Collaborates with outside entities to develop and drive advancements in technology to deliver pipeline opportunities. Develops intellectual properties relating to composition, usage, and manufacturing process that will result in viable patents and/or competitive advantages, where appropriate.
• Manages team of R&D Formulators to deliver against new product development objectives. Coaches Formulators to work independently within cross-functional project teams. Motivates and develops team members to drive high-quality, business-relevant innovations.
• Drives early partnership between Product Development and Technical Operations to ensure seamless technology transfer and commercialization, collaborating on issue resolution throughout.
• Brings insights to inform future development by staying abreast of the category, competition, processing technology, and nutritional ingredient trends.
• Oversees management of R&D lab equipment allocation, maintenance, and calibration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, or related science
• Advanced Degree or equivalent work experience is preferred
• 10-14 years related experience in leading product development of consumer package goods from bench-top to commercialization. Required
• 1-3 years related experience in nutraceutical, supplement, confectionery, or pharmaceutical development is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Must have strong formulation and process development skills.
• Must have managed or supervised scientific professionals such as Formulators, Chemists or Process Engineers.
• Thorough understanding of all aspects of the product development process (bench-top formulation, market research support, scale-up and commercialization).
• Knowledge of gummy, tablet, softgel, powder, and two-piece capsule formulation and manufacturing processes. Knowledge of dietary supplement GMPs and regulatory requirements is preferred.
• Skilled in formulation and process scale-up. Proficient in formulation/process verification using statistical analysis and Design of Experiments.
• Demonstrated teamwork and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional team members such as Marketing, Operations, QA and QC, and outside vendors and consultants. Able to lead through cross-functional challenges to arrive at the best business outcome.
• Strong project, organizational, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities to deliver on organizational objectives.
• Skillful written and oral communicator, able to convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively motivate and manage a team, develop talent, and build for future organizational needs.

Physical or Work Requirements

• Splits time between office-based work and manufacturing or operational environments.
• Employees are required to use computers and attend meetings while also regularly walking in production areas, climbing stairs or platforms, wearing PPE in operational spaces, and occasionally lifting or moving light materials or equipment.
• Work may occur in environments with manufacturing noise, moving equipment, temperature variation, or other operational conditions requiring safety precautions.

Travel

• 20%

Compensation and Benefits

We are committed to meeting the needs of our employees and their families with a Total Rewards package that's as comprehensive as the vitamins and supplements we deliver to consumers. With competitive compensation programs and standout benefits, we provide employees with optimal health and well-being -- as well as peace of mind. These rewards -- plus our new recognition program -- ensure employees feel supported both at work and home.

National Target Base Pay Range: $120,000.00 - $200,000.00 

The salary range for this position is based on national standards. For candidates in California and the New York metro, the Target Base Pay Range is $133,000.00 - $221,000.00, to reflect the cost of living and market conditions in those areas. 

Actual compensation will take into account a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic location, education, experience, qualifications, and job-related skills. It is not typical for an individual to be hired above the midpoint of the range for their role, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with state and local laws. 

Base pay is only one component of our total rewards offerings, and we will take the full offering into consideration when presenting an offer of employment.  Our total rewards package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, Medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401K match, and other wellness benefits.  

MegaFood is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging. The collective sum of our individual differences, knowledge, life experiences, and unique talents, represents a significant part of our culture and is the foundation for our accomplishments and impact.

MegaFood is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit employment discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, and any other basis protected by state and federal law. MegaFood recruits, hires, employs, trains, promotes, and compensates individuals solely based on job-related qualifications and abilities.

MegaFood also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation to complete the application process, please email recruiter@pharmavite.com.

CALIFORNIA FAIR CHANCE ACT:
Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

JOB ALERT FRAUD:
We have become aware of scams from individuals, organizations, and internet sites claiming to represent MegaFood in recruitment activities in return for disclosing financial information.
Our hiring process does not include text-based conversations or interviews and never requires payment or fees from job applicants. All of our career opportunities are regularly published and updated on MegaFood.com’s Careers section.
If you have already provided your personal information, please report it to your local authorities. Any fraudulent activity should be reported to: recruiter@pharmavite.com.

DISCLOSURE:

Any misrepresentations or false statements during the application process, including regarding U.S. work authorization and/or the need for immigration sponsorship or support, may result in the rejection of candidacy or the termination of employment.