Director of R&D/NPD

Celmark International; Oak Ridge (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Celmark International seeks a Director of R&D/NPD to lead skincare and topical product development within a fast-paced contract manufacturing environment in Orlando, FL. The role provides strategic and technical direction across the full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization, ensuring speed, scalability, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

The Director will manage a Product Development team, translate customer objectives into manufacturable solutions, and collaborate with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant science is required.
• Minimum 10 years in skincare/topical product development.
• Contract manufacturing/CMO/CDMO experience strongly required.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development strategy and execution for skincare and topical products from concept to commercialization.
• Direct and prioritize product development pipeline activities across multiple customer initiatives.
• Oversee formulation strategy focused on performance, compatibility, stability, manufacturability, and cost.
• Drive bench development, pilot trials, scale-up, validation, and commercialization.
• Serve as primary technical lead and customer-facing resource on development projects.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Sales, and Customer Service teams to ensure project success.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer-facing communication

FDA regulatory knowledge

cGMP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition Science, or related scientific discipline

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director of R&D/NPD

Full Time Exec/Sr. Mgrs Orlando, FL, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1100

Position Purpose and Objectives

Responsible for leadership and oversight of product development initiatives supporting skincare and topical products within a fast-paced contract manufacturing environment. Provides strategic and technical direction across the full product lifecycle from concept through commercialization while ensuring speed, scalability, customer satisfaction, compliance, and operational execution. Leads product development activities, drives cross-functional alignment, and serves as a key customer-facing technical leader supporting innovation and growth initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead product development strategy and execution for skincare and topical products from concept through commercialization.
• Direct and prioritize product development pipeline activities and project timelines across multiple customer initiatives.
• Lead and develop Product Development and formulation team members.
• Oversee formulation strategy focused on product performance, ingredient compatibility, stability, sensory attributes, manufacturability, scalability, and cost optimization.
• Drive bench development, pilot trials, scale-up activities, validation efforts, and commercialization execution.
• Serve as primary technical lead and customer-facing resource throughout development projects.
• Translate customer objectives into commercially viable and manufacturable solutions.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Sales, and Customer Service teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Lead customer presentations and technical discussions.
• Troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing challenges involving viscosity, emulsion stability, ingredient interactions, and process variability.
• Evaluate ingredients, packaging compatibility, technologies, and market trends.
• Ensure compliance with FDA requirements and cGMP standards.
• Maintain formulas, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Drive process improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Extensive experience developing skincare and topical products within a CMO/CDMO environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead products from concept through commercialization.
• Experience scaling products into manufacturing environments.
• Strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
• Strong customer-facing communication and presentation abilities.
• Working knowledge of FDA and cGMP requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Direct supervision of Product Development team.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments. Requires frequent interaction with all facility departments, including Warehouse, Shipping, Receiving, Manufacturing, Packaging, and Quality Control. Regular presence on the production floor may be required to support product development, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing activities. Must comply with all safety, FDA, and cGMP requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition Science, or related scientific discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive product development experience supporting Skincare and topical products.
• Prior leadership experience required.
• Contract manufacturing/CMO/CDMO experience strongly required.

Success Factors

• Product development initiatives move efficiently from concept through commercialization.
• Strong customer satisfaction and cross-functional alignment.
• Products consistently meet performance, stability, manufacturability, and cost expectations.
• Ongoing innovation and process improvements support business growth.