Product Development- Formulator

Job Summary:

The Product Development Formulator develops and optimizes new and existing iHerb House Brand formulations across Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs, Powders, Bars, Grocery, and Supplements. This role drives product innovation, creates new products and product lines, manages vendor partnerships, and maintaining/improving current product portfolios. The Product Development Formulator ensures all product design is consistent with market trends, meets business objectives, and uphold the highest standards of quality and efficacy, while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver commercially successful products from concept to launch.

Job Expectations:

• Manage products through all stages of development from ideation and formula creation to prototype development for new product, tech transfer, reformulation to scale-up, commercialization, and packaging while maintaining close communication with contract manufacturers.
• Lead MOQ negotiations on existing formulations to support business objectives and cost optimization.
• Leverage consumer insights, market data, and emerging technologies to guide product innovation and new product planning.
• Build and manage strong strategic relationships and maintain effective communications with vendors. Continuously grow supplier base and capabilities.
• Evaluate and provide feedback on sample submissions and ensure formulations are high quality, safe, efficacious, and cost effective.
• Identify novel ingredients and communicate emerging trends in the nutraceutical industry regarding demand for key ingredient formats for product formulas. Monitor any supply issues based on ongoing changes within the global marketplace.
• Organize and present project status updates, effectively prioritizing team activities in alignment with business objectives and launch timelines.
• Ensure product label claims are being met in accordance with product specification targets.
• Review and develop Nutrition and Supplement Facts Panels for foods and dietary supplements to ensure compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)..
• Review artwork to ensure accuracy for technical aspects (e.g. facts panel and other copy/callouts specifying amounts or features pertaining to ingredient levels or allergens).
• Effectively communicate in a cross-functional team environment serving as a core member or SME in solving formulation, process, or ingredient sourcing issues.
• Set and adjust individual and team priorities as needed to maintain focus on project milestones in a dynamic environment.
• Work proactively with internal and external teams to identify and resolve potential issues to ensure supply chain continuity and on-time product launches.
• Execute initiatives with our suppliers to ensure product quality and efficacy.
• Establish regular communications stream and follow-up with all team/project members.
• Prepare formula documentation for quotation and lead communications with contract manufacturers throughout the quotation, formulation, and development process.
• Travel as necessary to represent iHerb at industry conferences, training, tradeshows, formula development, pilot and/or production runs as required to support project development and approval milestones.

The duties and responsibilities described above may provide only a partial description of this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all aspects of the job.  Other duties and responsibilities not outlined in this document may be added as necessary or desirable, with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Required:         

• Strong analytical, data management knowledge 
• Adaptability and flexibility to focus quickly on changing situations or revised goals
• Ability to communicate written and verbally in a professional manner with people at all levels of the organization and external contacts
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment

• Detail oriented, strong analytical skills, team-player
• CFR Title 21 Part 111 (cGMP in manufacturing, packaging, labeling, or holding operations for Dietary Supplements.
• Knowledge of Food Safety standards, GFSI, BRC, PCQI, SQF.
• Understanding of HACCP/ Quality Management, production, & Manufacturing Systems

Equipment Knowledge:

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with Google Business Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms) preferred

Experience Requirements:

• 7 - 8 years of experience working in product development, Quality Assurance, R&D, manufacturing, and/or regulatory affairs within the functional foods and/or supplements industry.
• Exceptional expertise in technical research, project management, and managing strong relationships with suppliers.

Education Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree and equivalent work experience in Science (e.g. Biology, Chemical Engineering, etc), Food Science, Nutrition, Pharmaceutical Science or related field.

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