VP of Research & Development

About Vertosa:

Founded in 2018, Vertosa is a science-first cannabis company that creates the most effective and reliable active ingredients for infused products. Its patented and patent-pending emulsion systems are carefully designed for the specific needs of each customer, and Vertosa works closely with its lab partners and brands of all sizes throughout the manufacturing process to achieve target potency and accelerate products to market.

Our team believes in the power of natural ingredients and science working in concert to create better alternatives to recreational consumer products and medicine. Our knowledge, experience, best-in-class products, white-glove service, and relentless drive for excellence offer our customers the quality, consistency, and reliability they seek in a product.

Job brief:

Vertosa is growing and in need of a strategic VP of R&D to lead product research, development, and commercialization based on the unique challenges and opportunities of our rapidly evolving industry. This senior leadership role requires a balance of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a forward-thinking mindset, and will play a critical role in defining and executing R&D strategy, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, and managing a team of laboratory technicians, scientists, and external partners. The ideal candidate will be able to combine strategic thinking with hands-on work while collaborating cross-functionally to drive innovation and bring new products to market efficiently.

Responsibilities:

• Drive the development and execution of a comprehensive R&D strategy to transition innovative ideas into scalable product solutions aligned with the organization's overall goals and reflective of the dynamic, quickly-evolving cannabis and hemp landscape.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior leadership and other stakeholders on R&D progress, achievements, challenges, and future plans.
• Guide the management of the R&D budget to ensure efficient allocation of resources, cost control, and adherence to financial goals.
• Manage the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and formulation to testing, regulatory approval, and commercialization, to ensure our product portfolio meets all regulatory requirements, quality standards, and customer needs.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including R&D, quality assurance, and technical services team members to ensure timely and successful product launches and refinements.
• Implement best practices and methodologies for product research and development to improve efficacy, efficiency, and market relevancy.
• Lead the technical services team and collaborate with external clients or partners to guide the application of our products to a variety of applications, including beverages, edibles, and other form factors.
• Design, manage, and report on multiple product research and development projects simultaneously, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to track progress and success of departmental initiatives.
• Collaborate with quality assurance and technical service team members to maintain product quality and consistency across markets, including working closely with external partners to resolve issues with a customer-centric mindset.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies and industry trends, and drive the evaluation of new technologies to improve product offerings and market competitiveness.
• Support the development, management, and protection of intellectual property through patents, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as sales, marketing, and operations, to ensure timely and successful product launches and support a seamless integration of R&D efforts into downstream processes.
• Ensure R&D activities and product offering comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and proactively plan for anticipated changes in market requirements or consumer demand.
• Support the development of partnerships with research institutions, universities, and other industry players to advance cannabis research and development initiatives.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing R&D team to foster a culture of innovation that combines creative thinking and risk-taking with structured, repeatable processes.
• Promote a safe and compliant working environment, ensuring that all research and development activities adhere to company policies and industry regulations.

Job requirements:

• Bachelor s degree or higher in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in product research and development roles with a proven track record of successfully leading product development, application, and commercialization in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or other relevant industries.
• Advanced skills with scientific software and tools with the ability to quickly learn new systems intended to support research, product development, and quality assurance.
• Strong knowledge of cannabis and food science, ingredient functionality, and formulation processes.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze scientific data, report learnings to management, and drive continuous improvement with structured, repeatable processes.
• Innovation-driven mindset with the expertise to navigate complex regulatory environments and still-emerging scientific landscapes.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to consistently deliver high-quality work in a high-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present scientific information clearly and concisely to other science-based and non-science-based professionals.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a cross-functional team while collaborating effectively with other executives.
• Must be a passionate champion for cannabis, although Vertosa does not require cannabis consumption for any employees.
  
• Must be able to work in-person at our Berkeley, CA, manufacturing facility as of the start date of this role.