R&D Formulation Manager

5th HQ; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

5th HQ is seeking a hands-on, innovative professional to lead Soft Chews – Human Supplements operations, blending daily production oversight with R&D and process improvement. The ideal candidate has a strong background in formulation or chemistry and experience in FDA-regulated industries, with proven project management skills.

The role emphasizes leading production, ensuring quality and safety, coordinating with leadership on new product launches, and driving continuous improvement in in-house

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in formulation/R&D in an FDA-regulated industry (nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, personal care or similar).
• Strong knowledge of product development life cycles and quality systems.
• Proven ability to lead projects and teams in a manufacturing or lab setting.
• GMP and SOP compliance experience required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support day-to-day operations of soft chew production for human supplements.
• Supervise production staff to ensure product quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee inventory management for raw materials, packaging components, and finished goods.
• Collaborate with leadership on the formulation and launch of new supplement products.
• Help scale and optimize in-house soft chew production processes.
• Ensure compliance with GMP standards, including SOPs, documentation, and quality assurance practices.
• Monitor inbound and outbound shipments and assist with pickups as needed.
• Perform operational tasks such as label printing, updating batch numbers, and preparing shipments.
• Participate in cross-functional company initiatives and support other departments when needed.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional coordination

Attention to detail

Documentation

Leadership

Production tracking

Inventory management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on and innovative professional to lead our Soft Chews – Human Supplements operations and contribute to the development of new supplement products. This role blends daily production oversight with research and development (R&D) and process improvement, making it ideal for a proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. The ideal candidate has a strong background in formulation or chemistry, experience in FDA-regulated industries, and proven project management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support day-to-day operations of soft chew production for human supplements

• Supervise production staff to ensure product quality, safety, and operational efficiency

• Oversee inventory management for raw materials, packaging components, and finished goods

• Collaborate with leadership on the formulation and launch of new supplement products

• Help scale and optimize in-house soft chew production processes

• Ensure compliance with GMP standards, including SOPs, documentation, and quality assurance practices

• Monitor inbound and outbound shipments and assist with pickups as needed

• Perform operational tasks such as label printing, updating batch numbers, and preparing shipments

• Participate in cross-functional company initiatives and support other departments when needed

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Food Science, or a related field

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years in a formulation and/or R&D role within an FDA-regulated industry (nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, food, personal care, or similar)

• Strong knowledge of product development life cycles and quality systems

• Proven ability to lead projects and teams in a manufacturing or lab setting

• GMP and SOP compliance experience required

Key Skills

• Project management and cross-functional coordination

• Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy

• Excellent communication and leadership skills

• Ability to adapt and problem-solve in a dynamic environment

• Proficiency in inventory and production tracking systems is a plus