Product Development Scientist

*** ONLY OPEN TO CANDIDATES WITH EITHER GUMMY MANUFACTURING AND / OR CBD MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE ***

Job Title: Product Development Scientist – Confectionery

Location: Florida

Position Type: Full-Time

Department: Research and Development (R&D)

About Us

Dedicated to pioneering advancements in the nutraceutical and hemp-derived cannabinoid sectors. Our Research and Development team is at the forefront of this innovation, driving the creation of high-quality, effective products that support health and wellness. We are seeking a skilled Product Development Scientist to join our R&D team and lead the development of cutting-edge gummy formulations.

Job Summary

As a Product Development Scientist within our R&D department, you will play a key role in developing and optimizing gummy formulations for both nutraceutical and hemp-derived cannabinoid products. You will work closely with the R&D Manager and R&D Technician to ensure that product development aligns with company objectives and meets the highest standards of efficacy, safety, and consumer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have a passion for all things confectionery, particularly gummies, yearn for knowledge through curiosity and testing, and demonstrates’ solid work ethic.

Roles and Responsibilities Formulation Development

• Work closely with the R&D Manager, Sales, and Project Manager to vet customer projects and help provide guidance on project feasibility. Ultimately, provide a go or no-go based on valid input.
• Work closely with assigned strategic business accounts to provide a variety of R&D services such as regular communication of existing products, product specification creation and management, recipe maintenance, and new product innovation.
• Lead the design of gummy formulations tailored for nutraceutical and hemp-derived cannabinoid applications through recipe mixture designs. Additionally, conduct experiments to establish key target parameters of the finished product.
• Analyze and interpret data from product testing to optimize formulations and address any performance issues related to texture, flavor, and finished product dosing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members such as Procurement, Operations, Engineering, and Quality to review and confirm recipes for scaling. In addition, assist other departments with their initiatives within the means of an R&D scope.
• Prepare and carry out product trials, calculating total trial costs, and review trial outcome with internal leadership team. In addition, assist with preparing for product commercialization.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of formulation processes, testing outcomes, and modifications, while preparing detailed reports and presentations on development progress.
• Ensure that all new formulations adhere to regulatory guidelines and industry standards for both nutraceutical and hemp-derived products, while staying current with regulatory changes and industry trends to maintain compliance and adapt formulations as needed.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in product development within an R&D setting, with a focus on gummy formulations. Experience with nutraceutical and hemp- derived cannabinoid products is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Strong expertise in gummy formulation chemistry and technology.
• Familiarity with hemp-derived cannabinoid chemistry and its implications for
• product development.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques and data interpretation.
• Familiar with writing equations and managing large data sets in Microsoft Excel.
• Familiar with DOEs and Mixture Designs

Regulatory Knowledge

• Understanding of regulations and compliance requirements for nutraceutical and hemp-derived products.

• Experience in quality assurance processes and regulatory documentation.

Soft Skills

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and team collaboration.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.