Formula Science Manager

Curio Wellness Corporation; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Curio Wellness seeks a seasoned Formula Scientist with a food science background to lead benchtop sample development and scalable formulations across cannabis product categories in Maryland. You'll ensure stability, safety, and compliance under cGMP and state regulations.

Responsibilities include mentoring a Formula Technician, coordinating trials, and maintaining documentation while collaborating with Manufacturing, Procurement, Cultivation, Sales, and Marketing to support new product launches.

Qualifications

• 7+ years progressive experience in formulation development and commercialization in regulated consumer products (Cannabis/CBD preferred).
• Experience mentoring or training junior staff and leading technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of chemistry, formulation stability, and scalable manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Execute day-to-day development of benchtop samples and product prototypes across all product categories, ensuring formulations meet the brief, reflect the brand, are stable and scalable, and adhere to state regulations and production protocols.
• Manage, develop, and support the Formula Technician, including providing day-to-day direction, coaching, training, feedback, and development to strengthen technical capabilities and ensure consistent execution of formulation work.
• Establish and implement testing protocols to evaluate product stability, safety, efficacy, and quality; analyze results and adjust formulations as needed.

Skills

Food science

Formulation

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering/ Chemistry/ Food Science

Job description

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At Curio Wellness we empower people to thrive by adapting plant nature to human nature. We are committed to transforming the conversation around cannabis, fostering a deeper understanding of its benefits, and ensuring that every product we offer meets the highest standards.

The Formula Scientist supports the development of best-in-class, science-driven cannabis products for Curio Wellness and our licensed brand partners. This role works across a broad range of product categories, including but not limited to edibles, beverages, tinctures, tablets, vapes (Distillate/Rosin/Resin), pre-rolls (infused and not infused), and concentrates.Working under cGMP and State Regulations, the Formula Scientist is responsible for benchtop rendering, prototype development, product testing, and analysis to ensure stability, safety, and efficacy. This role also supports the operational readiness of the Innovation Suite by maintaining cGMP and 5S standards and coordinating raw materials, packaging, and other materials needed for upkeep and new product launches.

** MUST HAVE A FOOD SCIENCE BACKGROUND &/OR PRODUCT FORMULATION TO QUALIFY **

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Execute day-to-day development of benchtop samples and product prototypes across all product categories, ensuring formulations meet the brief, reflect the ethics of the brand, are stable and scalable, align with manufacturing capabilities, and adhere to state regulations, certifications, and production protocols.
• Manage, develop, and support the Formula Technician, including providing day-to-day direction, coaching, training, feedback, and development to strengthen technical capabilities and ensure consistent execution of formulation work.
• Establish and implement testing protocols to evaluate product stability, safety, efficacy, and quality. Analyze test results and adjust formulations as needed.
• Ensure timing and logistics for submission trials, ensuring that they fit within the demands of the timeline.
• Test new technologies and ingredients and support technology scouting/skunks work projects.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Procurement, Cultivation, Sales, and Marketing as necessary.
• Work with external consultants and experts as required.
• Complete required technical documentation.
• Maintain the Innovation Suite for cGMP and 5S qualification.
• Be responsible for not only daily operations, but also overall hygiene, equipment set-up, and related activities, while implementing best practices for formulation and development following industry and regulatory guidelines for Medical/Adult Use Cannabis, Pharma, and Nutraceutical industries.
• As a member of the Product Innovation team, the Formula Scientist will have visibility to confidential information and intellectual property and will be expected to use integrity to protect the confidentiality of this and any sensitive information, including but not limited to formulations, recipes, processes, and ingredients.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years progressive experience in formulation development and commercialization in one or more of: CPG, food & beverage, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical, or other regulated consumer products. (Cannabis/CBD strongly preferred.)
• Prior experience managing, developing, coaching, or training direct reports or junior technical team members, with demonstrated ability to build capability and improve team execution.
• Demonstrated self-sufficient experience developing and/or supporting production of products across a range of dosage forms, including ingestibles, topicals, and inhalation products.
• Working familiarity with multiple extraction forms/inputs and how they influence formulation performance, stability, sensory, and manufacturability.
• Experience operating in a regulated, compliance-driven environment (e.g., cGMP, HACCP, ISO, pharmaceutical quality systems, state cannabis regulations) with strong documentation practices.
• Strong knowledge of relevant chemistry (food chemistry and/or physical chemistry), processing techniques, and stability principles.
• Strong batch calculation skills and ability to translate benchtop formulas into scalable manufacturing specifications.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot using critical thinking and structured problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to mentor/train junior staff and improve lab execution through best practices.

PREFERRED:

• Experience with emulsions, solubilization, encapsulation, flavor/sensory optimization, and shelf-life stabilization (as applicable to product types).
• Experience partnering with external labs/consultants and managing technical workstreams.
• Experience in food/beverage sector, dietary supplement or pharmaceutical formula development
• Experience specifically in cannabis or CBD product development and regulated manufacturing.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering (preferred), Chemistry, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field. (Advanced degree a plus.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use hands to finger or feel, use finger dexterity, reach with hands and arms, climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and lift a maximum of 25 lbs.

Curio Wellness is an Equal Opportunity Employer Curio Wellness is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Must be 21 years old.

Maryland: As a condition of employment, all Curio Wellness employees must comply with the State of Maryland requirements, which include providing a copy of their fingerprints in the required format and consenting to an FBI Background Check.

Missouri: As a condition of employment, all Curio Wellness employees must comply with the State of Missouri requirements, which include providing a copy of their fingerprints in the required format and consenting to an FBI Background Check.

Curio Wellness is an Equal Opportunity Employer Curio Wellness is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Must be 21 years old.

As a condition of employment, all Curio Wellness employees must comply with the State of Maryland requirements which include providing a copy of your fingerprints in the required format and consenting to an FBI Background Check.