Job Description
Director of Product Innovation – Natural & Organic Products
We are seeking an inspiring and strategic Director of Product Innovation to lead our product innovation team in developing groundbreaking natural, organic, and sustainable products. This role requires a visionary leader who can drive creativity and efficiency while ensuring that all products meet cGMP, FDA, and other applicable regulatory standards.
As a collaborative and empathetic leader, you will be responsible for fostering a positive and encouraging work culture, mentoring a team of formulators and R&D specialists, and overseeing the successful execution of new product development (NPD) from concept to commercialization.
This position is hands-on and requires deep formulation experience in natural and organic cosmetic products, supplements, and OTCs. We value a lead-by-doing work culture where leadership means rolling up your sleeves and innovating alongside your team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and inspire a team of formulators and product developers, fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee the end-to-end product innovation process—from ideation to market launch—focused on natural and organic cosmetics, supplements, and OTC products.
- Improve and refine NPD processes that balance creativity with structure and efficiency, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
- Mentor and professionally develop team members through feedback, coaching, and leadership best practices.
- Champion a growth mindset, encouraging experimentation, learning, and innovation.
- Develop and oversee testing protocols for product stability, safety, and efficacy to meet regulatory compliance.
- Stay current on industry trends, ingredient innovation, and consumer preferences to maintain competitive edge.
- Collaborate effectively with senior leadership to communicate progress, address challenges, and share solutions.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
- Develop and create formulations and processes, including writing batch records, coordinating with document control, and transferring technologies to operations.
- Hands-on formulation in the R&D lab—troubleshooting, optimizing, and prototyping products.
- Research and validate ingredients, source new suppliers, and ensure required documentation (e.g., SDS, COAs) is in place.
- Scale formulations from lab to manufacturing, ensuring consistency and quality.
- Track NPD milestones, resolve issues proactively, and maintain cross-functional alignment.
- Cultivate a collaborative and supportive team environment with regular feedback and recognition.
- Continuously optimize internal processes to drive innovation, efficiency, and compliance.
- Advocate for sustainability and clean-label standards in all product initiatives.
Qualifications & Skills:
- 8+ years of experience in formulation for cosmetics, supplements, and OTCs, with a strong emphasis on natural and organic products.
- Hands-on experience in scaling products, selecting appropriate equipment, and working cross-functionally with operations teams.
- Proven leadership experience managing high-performing teams in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.
- Strong emotional intelligence (EQ), with excellent communication and conflict resolution skills.
- In-depth knowledge of cGMP, FDA regulations, and standards specific to natural/organic product development.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to balance creative innovation with operational structure.
- Passionate about clean, sustainable, and effective wellness and personal care products.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and drive alignment.
We are a company committed to high-quality, clean, and effective wellness and personal care products. We're looking for passionate leaders who are not only experts in their craft but also deeply care about their teams and the work they do. This role is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of natural product innovation while building and nurturing a strong, values-driven team culture.
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