Product Development Scientist II

Description

About Innovative Labs
We are a leading maker of liquid dietary supplements, known for our innovation, strong R&D, and focus on quality. With our in-house team, we create custom liquid products for top wellness, nutraceutical, and food brands.

At Innovative Labs, we believe in teamwork and creativity. For over 15 years, we’ve helped brands bring new ideas to life with high-quality liquids, gels, purees, pastes, oils, and emulsions. Our modern facilities and dedicated team work together to make products that matter.

Here, you’ll grow, learn, and be part of a team that’s always improving and moving forward.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Your Work Matters: Support the Brands People Use Every Day
• Collaborate & Create: Join a team that values fresh ideas, open communication, and teamwork
• Grow Your Career: We encourage curiosity, learning, and stepping up to new challenges
• Supportive Culture: Thrive in a workplace that values your contributions and well-being

About the Job

The Product Development Scientist II plays a key role in driving product innovation from concept through pilot scale. This role focuses on developing food and dietary supplement products in liquid, gel, or powdered formats, turning customer concepts into commercially viable formulations. The position requires scientific expertise, creative problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful formulation development, documentation accuracy, and alignment with regulatory and cost constraints.

What You’ll Do

• Develop food and dietary supplement formulations (liquid, gel, or powder) that align with customer specifications, cost targets, processing needs, stability requirements, and label claims
• Partner with Sales to provide technical support during customer interactions and maintain clear communication throughout all development stages
• Research and evaluate ingredients through vendor documentation, scientific literature, and market data to identify innovative formulation opportunities
• Produce, test, and assess bench-top prototypes; refine formulas to meet quality, sensory, and performance standards
• Prepare accurate ingredient statements and Supplement/Nutrition Facts panels using Skusafe or equivalent tools
• Manage documentation including formulation records, laboratory notebooks, and approval forms in compliance with company and regulatory standards
• Support transition of formulations from R&D to scale-up, pilot runs, and manufacturing
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—Sales, Quality, Regulatory, and Operations to ensure timely product commercialization
• Stay informed about emerging industry trends, technologies, and regulatory updates relevant to food and supplement formulation
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Perform additional duties as needed to support the goals of the department

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Solid understanding of formulation science, processing technologies, and stability considerations in food and dietary supplements
• Familiarity with FDA labeling regulations (21 CFR Part 101) and cGMP standards
• Technical knowledge of flavor systems and flavor development for ingestible products
• Analytical mindset with strong critical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; capable of managing multiple projects effectively
• High attention to detail with strong documentation discipline
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word) and use of lab management or formulation software
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated creativity and initiative in overcoming formulation and process challenges

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in product development within the food, beverage, or dietary supplement industries or bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, Biochemistry, or a related field from an accredited institution
• Experience with laboratory equipment (i.e. pH probe, sample preparation, and experimental testing
• Proven experience applying cGMPs in a laboratory or production environment

The Perks of Joining Our Team

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage—plus a few weeks of paid parental leave when it matters most
• Paid time off and holidays to help you unwind and recharge
• Real opportunities to grow your skills and make an impact as we evolve
• A collaborative team that’s adaptable, supportive, and driven to succeed together
• A 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions to help you build your future