Principal Scientist

Opella; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 98,250 - 131,916; Full time

Job summary

Opella is seeking a Global Consumer Insights Lead to drive the formulation development of oral OTC products, focusing on gummy dosage forms. The role involves partnering with multiple teams to deliver innovative products and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in the OTC market and a strong educational background in Chemistry or related fields. Join Opella to reinvent self-care for millions worldwide.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in product development, preferably in OTC or dietary supplements.
• Strong hands-on experience developing gummy or confectionery-based dosage forms.
• Proven experience with OTC oral products.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development for oral OTC dosage forms.
• Scale products from bench development to commercial manufacturing.
• Drive innovation and trend identification in gummy formulations.

Skills

Gummy formulation science

Cross-functional collaboration

Product commercialization

Education

Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemistry or related field

Job description

You’ve built experience, now use it where bold ideas meet real impact. At Opella, we’re challenging how self‑care works for millions of people and need leaders and experts ready to shape what’s next. As a Global Consumer Insights Lead – Rx-to-OTC Switch, you’ll bring your skill, your curiosity and your drive to make health simpler, smarter and more human.

About The Job

• Lead formulation development of oral OTC ingestible products, with a strong focus on gummy dosage forms across sleep, pain, allergy, and wellness categories
• Apply deep expertise in gummy formulation science, including active ingredient delivery, taste masking, texture optimization, and stability
• Drive product development from concept through commercialization, including scale‑up and manufacturing transfer
• Partner cross‑functionally with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams to deliver innovative consumer‑focused products
• Translate consumer insights and market trends into differentiated, high‑performing OTC products
• Ensure formulations meet regulatory requirements, quality standards, and commercialization timelines
• Provide technical leadership and innovation in developing consumer‑loved products with strong efficacy, flavor, and user experience

Main Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development of oral OTC dosage forms, primarily gummies (pectin and gelatin‑based systems), with some experience in soft chews preferred
• Design and optimize formulations containing APIs and active ingredients including antihistamines, analgesics, sleep aids, melatonin, magnesium, and botanicals
• Solve critical technical challenges related to taste masking, flavor systems, texture optimization, stability, bioavailability, and sugar‑free formulations
• Scale products from bench development through pilot and commercial manufacturing, including technology transfer to CDMOs and internal manufacturing sites
• Partner cross‑functionally with Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to support successful product launches
• Drive innovation by identifying emerging trends in delivery formats, ingredients, and consumer preferences while guiding ingredient and vendor selection
• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, OTC monographs, dietary supplement guidelines, cGMP standards, and provide technical leadership, troubleshooting, and mentorship across projects

About You

• Ph.D., M.S., or B.S. in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related field
• 5+ years, M.S. with 8+ years, or B.S. with 10+ years of relevant experience
• Strong hands‑on experience developing gummy or confectionery‑based dosage forms (required)
• Proven experience with OTC oral products, dietary supplements, or functional confections
• Demonstrated success in commercializing products from concept to launch
• Deep expertise in gummy and oral delivery formulation science, including hydrocolloid systems, API compatibility, moisture control, shelf‑life optimization, taste masking, and sugar‑free technologies
• Strong understanding of commercial manufacturing processes including cooking, depositing, molding, drying, coating, and finishing, with experience partnering with CDMOs and vendor network

This is more than the next step in your career, it’s a chance to lead change and help reinvent self‑care for the world. If you’re ready to challenge, inspire and deliver impact that matters, we’re ready for you. We are challengers. We are Opella.

Salary

98,250.00 - 131,916.66 USD Annual

All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Opella Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us

Opella is the self‑care challenger with the purest and third‑largest portfolio in the Over The Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self‑care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting. At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000‑strong global team, our 13 best‑in‑class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan. As a globally certified B Corp company, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com.