Product Innovation Technologist

Nordic Naturals; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Nordic Naturals is seeking a Product Innovation Technologist to lead front-end innovation within Product Development, scoping technologies, evaluating ingredients, and translating consumer insights into credible opportunities that inform business cases and brand expansion.

You will collaborate with Marketing Innovation & Insights, NPD formulators, PD engineers, Regulatory, QA, and Strategic Sourcing to ensure technical credibility and a smooth transition from FEI into full development, focusing

Qualifications

• BS or MS in a technical field as listed.
• 5+ years in product innovation or front-end R&D.
• Experience with dietary supplements or functional foods preferred.
• Strong collaboration with marketing teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging technologies and assess platforms for dietary supplements and novel experiences.
• Translate consumer insights into early-stage prototypes and feasibility assessments across multiple formats.
• Lead multiple innovation workstreams, manage timelines and risks.
• Collaborate with NPD formulators, PD engineers, Regulatory, QA, and Strategic Sourcing and Marketing Innovation & Insights.
• Establish external partnerships and evaluate supplier technologies.

Skills

Technical curiosity

Creative problem-solving

Cross-functional communication

Project management

Strategic thinking

Education

BS or MS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Nutritional Science, or related technical field

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Job description

The Product Innovation Technologist leads front-end innovation (FEI) activities within Product Development, focusing on technology scoping, early feasibility, prototyping, and development of breakthrough product concepts and technical platforms. Operating at the "fuzzy front end", this role identifies emerging technologies, evaluates novel ingredients and processes, and translates consumer insights into credible technical opportunities that inform business case creation. The Innovation Technologist partners closely with the Marketing Innovation & Insights team while maintaining autonomy to independently scan the technology landscape, build external partnerships, and identify opportunities that support both brand expansion and broader technical advancement. Working collaboratively across PD, especially with NPD formulators, PD engineers, and business‑sustaining teams, the Innovation Technologist ensures concepts are technically credible, feasible, and ready for transition into the stage gate process for full development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Technology Scouting, Landscape Monitoring & Platform Development

• Identify emerging technologies, ingredients, processes, and delivery formats through supplier engagement, strategic partnerships, technical networks, and independent landscape scanning.
• Develop and assess technology platforms for potential application across dietary supplements, OTC-adjacent formats, and novel product experiences.
• Maintain ongoing awareness of consumer trends, scientific advancements, regulatory shifts, and industry innovation to inform FEI strategy and inspire new opportunities.

Early Feasibility, Prototyping & Concept Development

• Translate consumer insights, marketing concepts, and technical opportunities into early-stage prototypes and feasibility assessments across multiple delivery forms (softgel, gummy, powder, packaging, novel formats).
• Conduct early technical vetting of Marketing Innovation & Insights concepts, identifying feasibility risks, manufacturability considerations, stability implications, and technology requirements.
• Develop technical pathways, prototype briefs, and feasibility summaries that support business case creation and prepare concepts for entry into the stage-gate process.

Innovation Pipeline Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build and maintain the FEI pipeline by leading multiple innovation workstreams, managing priorities, timelines, risks, and deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with NPD formulators, PD engineers, Regulatory, QA, and Strategic Sourcing to ensure technical alignment and smooth transition from FEI into development.
• Partner with Marketing Innovation & Insights to co‑create concepts while ensuring PD maintains technical ownership, scientific rigor, and feasibility-driven decision making.

External Partnerships, Supplier Engagement & Technical Leadership

• Establish and maintain relationships with ingredient suppliers, processing equipment vendors, universities, and technology providers to accelerate innovation and expand technical capabilities.
• Evaluate supplier pipelines, conduct early material assessments, and integrate novel ingredients or technologies into FEI concepts.
• Communicate project progress, key learnings, feasibility outcomes, and recommendations to PD leadership, Marketing Innovation & Insights, and cross‑functional stakeholders.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• BS or MS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Nutritional Science, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in product innovation, front-end innovation, technology scoping, R&D, or early-stage product development.
• Experience collaborating with Marketing innovation teams strongly preferred.
• Experience with dietary supplements, functional foods, OTC-adjacent categories, or consumer health products.

Competency Statements

• Positive - Ability to view all situations with a positive attitude.
• Accountable - takes ownership for responsibilities, acknowledges and learns from mistakes
• Innovative - Ability to look beyond the standard solutions and "think outside the box".
• Independent - Must be self-motivated and able to manage obligations without direct supervision
• Assertiveness - Ability to act in a self-confident manner to facilitate completion of a work assignment or to defend a position or idea.
• Communication - Ability to communicate effectively using spoken and written word clearly and concisely.
• Customer Oriented - Ability to take care of the customers’ needs while following company procedures.
• Enthusiastic - Ability to bring energy to the performance of a task.
• Self-Motivated - Ability to be internally inspired to perform a task to the best of one’s ability using his or her own drive or initiative.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong technical curiosity and ability to translate ambiguous ideas into structured technical opportunities.
• Creative problem‑solving with the ability to operate in ambiguity and build clarity from fuzzy inputs.
• Excellent cross‑functional communication and influence skills, especially with Marketing Innovation & Insights and NPD.
• Ability to manage multiple upstream workstreams and maintain organized documentation.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to identify long‑term technology platforms and near‑term concept opportunities.

Computer Skills:

• Must be proficient with MS Office and have advanced Excel skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand

O (Occasionally)

Walk

O (Occasionally)

Sit

F (Frequently)

F (Frequently)

O (Occasionally)

Reach Above Shoulder

N (Not Applicable)

Climb

N (Not Applicable)

N (Not Applicable)

Squat or Kneel

O (Occasionally)

O (Occasionally)

10 lbs or less

O (Occasionally)

11-20 lbs

O (Occasionally)

21-50 lbs

O (Occasionally)

51-100 lbs

N (Not Applicable)

Over 100 lbs

N (Not Applicable)

Push/Pull

12 lbs or less

O (Occasionally)

13-25 lbs

O (Occasionally)

26-40 lbs

O (Occasionally)

41-100 lbs

N (Not Applicable)

N (Not Applicable)

Activity is not applicable to this occupation.

O (Occasionally)

Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently)

Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly)

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance)

Sense of Sound (ability to hear on the phone)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Works in a climate-controlled environment

As set forth in Nordic Naturals’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.