Senior Manager, Product Development

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd; Londonderry (NH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

MegaFood is seeking a Sr. Product Development Manager to oversee formulation, scale-up, and commercialization of dietary supplement dosage forms. You will stay abreast of competitors and drive renovation and innovation.

You will lead the Product Development team, collaborate with Marketing and Operations, and ensure GMP compliance and robust testing. This role blends technical leadership with strategic product insight and a commitment to high-quality nutrition.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, or related science.
• Advanced Degree or equivalent work experience is preferred
• 10-14 years related experience in leading product development of consumer package goods from bench-top to commercialization.
• Required 1-3 years related experience in nutraceutical, supplement, confectionery, or pharmaceutical development is preferred

Responsibilities

• Manages portfolio of product development projects effectively, ensuring that all projects have clearly defined objectives, resources, and plans to deliver on-time launches.
• Provides strong technical leadership to the Product Development team to deliver on all technical aspects of the NPD process, including initial research, bench-top to commercialization, utilizing standard best practices and procedures with formulation, scale-up, and commercialization support.
• Proposes and implements improvements to the product development process.
• Leads by example in collaborating with Marketing and other cross-functional disciplines to accomplish innovation and renovation goals.
• Supports inQB8 and Nutrition Science during commercial and research Discovery projects and evaluates the technical feasibility of new concepts, leveraging a risk-based approach and “what needs to be true” mindset.
• Leverages consumer understanding and empathy to shape product concepts that will win with consumers.

Skills

Product development

Formulation

Scale-up

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Pharmacy/Chemical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

MegaFood, a Certified B Corporation and 1% for the Planet member, leverages 50+ years of scientific experience to thoughtfully craft quality supplements made with real food & nutrients that your body knows how to absorb. Since our founding in 1973, MegaFood has been committed to providing people safe, high quality supplements and takes food safety and quality seriously. MegaFood products are tested for 150+ pesticides are NSF GMP certified and are made without the top 9 food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame.) MegaFood is also Certified Plastic Neutral through its partnership with rePurpose Global and has enabled recovery of over 740,000 pounds of nature-bound plastic since it became certified in 2023. Learn more at megafood.com or follow @megafood on Instagram, @realmegafood on TikTok and @MegaFood on LinkedIn.

This role is not available for any form of immigration sponsorship or support, including completion of the Form I-983 training plan required for STEM OPT.

Position Summary

The Sr. Product Development Manager effectively manages all aspects of the formulation, product/process development, scale-up, and commercialization of dietary supplement dosage forms. Stays abreast of the competitive environment and explores product enhancements and new technologies to propose renovation and innovation ideas.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages portfolio of product development projects effectively, ensuring that all projects have clearly defined objectives, resources, and plans to deliver on-time launches.
• Provides strong technical leadership to the Product Development team to deliver on all technical aspects of the NPD process, including initial research, bench-top to commercialization, utilizing standard best practices and procedures with formulation, scale-up, and commercialization support.
• Proposes and implements improvements to the product development process.
• Leads by example in collaborating with Marketing and other cross-functional disciplines to accomplish innovation and renovation goals.
• Supports inQB8 and Nutrition Science during commercial and research Discovery projects and evaluates the technical feasibility of new concepts, leveraging a risk-based approach and “what needs to be true” mindset.
• Leverages consumer understanding and empathy to shape product concepts that will win with consumers.
• Oversees the R&D production of market research and clinical samples under GMP conditions.
• Drives sensory testing early in product development to incorporate relevant feedback and deliver best-in-class products.
• Explores, identifies, and develops innovative and proprietary technologies that have strategic significance.
• Collaborates with outside entities to develop and drive advancements in technology to deliver pipeline opportunities.
• Develops intellectual properties relating to composition, usage, and manufacturing process that will result in viable patents and/or competitive advantages, where appropriate.
• Manages team of R&D Formulators to deliver against new product development objectives.
• Coaches Formulators to work independently within cross-functional project teams.
• Motivates and develops team members to drive high-quality, business-relevant innovations.
• Drives early partnership between Product Development and Technical Operations to ensure seamless technology transfer and commercialization, collaborating on issue resolution throughout.
• Brings insights to inform future development by staying abreast of the category, competition, processing technology, and nutritional ingredient trends.
• Oversees management of R&D lab equipment allocation, maintenance, and calibration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, or related science
• Advanced Degree or equivalent work experience is preferred
• 10-14 years related experience in leading product development of consumer package goods from bench-top to commercialization.
• Required 1-3 years related experience in nutraceutical, supplement, confectionery, or pharmaceutical development is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

Must have strong formulation and process development skills. Must have managed or supervised scientific professionals such as Formulators, Chemists or Process Engineers. Thorough understanding of all aspects of the product development process (bench-top formulation, market research support, scale-up and commercialization). Knowledge of gummy, tablet, softgel, powder, and two-piece capsule formulation and manufacturing processes. Knowledge of dietary supplement GMPs and regulatory requirements is preferred. Skilled in formulation and process scale-up. Proficient in formulation/process verification using statistical analysis and Design of Experiments. Demonstrated teamwork and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional team members such as Marketing, Operations, QA and QC, and outside vendors and consultants. Able to lead through cross-functional challenges to arrive at the best business outcome. Strong project, organizational, and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities to deliver on organizational objectives. Skillful written and oral communicator, able to convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Demonstrated ability to effectively motivate and manage a team, develop talent, and build for future organizational needs.

Physical or Work Requirements

Splits time between office-based work and manufacturing or operational environments. Employees are required to use computers and attend meetings while also regularly walking in production areas, climbing stairs or platforms, wearing PPE in operational spaces, and occasionally lifting or moving light materials or equipment. Work may occur in environments with manufacturing noise, moving equipment, temperature variation, or other operational conditions requiring safety precautions.

Travel

20%

Compensation and Benefits

National Target Base Pay Range: $120,000.00 - $200,000.00 The salary range for this position is based on national standards. For candidates in California and the New York metro, the Target Base Pay Range is $133,000.00 - $221,000.00, to reflect the cost of living and market conditions in those areas. Actual compensation will take into account a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic location, education, experience, qualifications, and job‑related skills. It is not typical for an individual to be hired above the midpoint of the range for their role, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with state and local laws. Base pay is only one component of our total rewards offerings, and we will take the full offering into consideration when presenting an offer of employment. Our total rewards package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, Medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401K match, and other wellness benefits.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

MegaFood is an equal opportunity employer.

We prohibit employment discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, and any other basis protected by state and federal law.

MegaFood recruits, hires, employs, trains, promotes, and compensates individuals solely based on job‑related qualifications and abilities.

MegaFood also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws.

If you need to inquire about an accommodation to complete the application process, please email [e-mail].

California Fair Chance Act

Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

MegaFood has been crafting high-quality supplements for over 50 years, formulated with science-backed nutrients and real food. With a careful blend of both, we combine premium, research-backed ingredients to craft supplements designed for absorption to provide the support that you’re looking for. Quality is in our nature. MegaFood products undergo quality assurance testing in ISO 9001-certified laboratories and independent third-party labs. Our testing includes screening for over 150 pesticides, heavy metals, and identity verification to confirm ingredient integrity. That’s the MegaFood Way. We know that healthy people and a healthy planet go hand in hand, which is why we are deeply committed to improving our environmental footprint and amplifying our social impact. That’s why we are a proud B Corp and member of 1% for the Planet, as well as Certified Plastic Neutral. Through our partnership with rePurpose Global, we have supported the recovery of over 740,000 lbs of nature-bound plastic waste since 2022, and have a goal of moving to 100% recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging in the near future. Learn more at megafood.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn.