R&D Technical Project Lead

Position Summary:

The R&D Technical Project Lead is responsible for coordinating and supporting R&D projects from initiation through commercialization within a nutraceutical manufacturing environment. This position serves as a central point of coordination between R&D, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and other departments to help ensure project activities, formulation updates, pilot trials, and manufacturing requirements are completed according to established timelines.

The R&D Technical Project Lead maintains project schedules, tracks milestones and action items, coordinates meetings and production trial requests, communicates project status, and identifies potential delays or risks requiring escalation. This position may also provide hands-on support for formulation trials and R&D activities as needed.

This role is well suited for an individual with experience in R&D, product development, manufacturing, or project coordination who is looking to develop broader project management experience within the dietary supplement industry.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Coordination & Tracking

• Coordinate assigned R&D projects from project initiation through pilot, scale-up, and commercialization activities.
• Develop and maintain project timelines, milestones, action items, and project status trackers.
• Monitor project progress and follow up with responsible departments to ensure assigned activities are completed on time.
• Coordinate project priorities with R&D team members and cross-functional departments.
• Identify potential project delays, resource constraints, or other risks and escalate concerns to R&D leadership as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate project records and ensure project information is current and accessible to stakeholders.
• Support multiple R&D projects simultaneously while maintaining organization and established priorities.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate project activities between R&D, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and other supporting departments.
• Schedule and facilitate routine project meetings and document decisions, action items, owners, and due dates.
• Follow up on outstanding project requirements and communicate changes that may impact established timelines.
• Coordinate requests for pilot runs, manufacturing trials, samples, raw materials, and production time.
• Assist with resolving routine project issues and escalate technical, quality, scheduling, or resource concerns when additional support is required.
• Support the transition of projects from development into manufacturing.

Project & Customer Communication

• Provide routine project status updates to internal stakeholders and customers as assigned.
• Communicate project timelines, formulation status, sample status, pilot scheduling, and other project updates.
• Coordinate customer requests with appropriate internal departments.
• Document customer feedback, requested changes, and project decisions and communicate them to the appropriate R&D team members.
• Escalate significant technical, regulatory, quality, cost, or timeline concerns to R&D leadership.

R&D & Formulation Support

• Support R&D team members with formulation and product development activities as needed.
• Assist with preparation and execution of lab-scale and pilot-scale trials.
• Coordinate collection of formulation, processing, and manufacturing information needed to support project decisions.
• Assist with documenting formulation changes, trial results, and project-related technical information.
• Support Production and Quality during pilot and scale-up activities.
• Assist with troubleshooting project or processing issues under the direction of experienced R&D or Operations personnel.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate project files, timelines, meeting notes, action logs, formulation updates, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure project documentation is completed and maintained according to company procedures.
• Follow cGMP requirements, SOPs, safety requirements, and established R&D procedures.
• Support continuous improvement of R&D project tracking, communication, and documentation processes.
• Assist with developing or updating project management tools, templates, and workflows.

Job Requirements:

Education

• Associate's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutritional Science, Biology, Business, Project Management, or a related field preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field is a plus.
• Relevant industry experience may be considered in place of formal education requirements.

Experience

• 1–3 years of experience in R&D, product development, project coordination, manufacturing, quality, or a related environment preferred.
• Experience within dietary supplements, food, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Previous experience coordinating projects, timelines, meetings, or cross-functional activities is preferred.
• Experience working in a cGMP manufacturing environment is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and action items.
• Strong follow-up skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with internal departments and external customers.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and maintain clear documentation of decisions and action items.
• Basic understanding of product development or manufacturing processes.
• Ability to identify project risks and escalate issues appropriately.
• Ability to work effectively with R&D, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and related business applications.
• Ability to learn and utilize ERP, project tracking, and other company systems.
• Ability to work independently while recognizing when management or technical escalation is required.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.
• Requires regular interaction with R&D laboratories and production areas.
• May require standing or walking for extended periods during trials and manufacturing activities.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. when supporting laboratory or pilot activities.
• Required to wear appropriate PPE while working in laboratory or manufacturing areas.
• Monday–Friday schedule with occasional extended or adjusted hours based on pilot runs, manufacturing trials, or project requirements.