Product Development Manager
: Job Details :

Position summary:

The Product Development manager at a dietary supplement company plays a crucial role in leading innovative product development. This position is responsible for assisting the VP of Contract Manufacturing in overseeing the entire lifecycle of products, focusing on developing appealing flavor systems for powder products, and ensuring that both powder and solid dose formulations can be scaled efficiently. A key aspect of this role is collaborating with the sales team to develop new products and on-board existing products based on customer's needs, expectations, and target price points, ensuring they meet customer expectations. This collaboration is vital for aligning product offerings with market trends and consumer demands. On occasion, the role may involve interacting directly with customers.

Essential functions and responsibilities:

• Learn SDC systems and tools essential to daily operations and compliance, suggesting improvements where opportunities exist.

• Train and manage direct reports; foster team development to meet product development goals.

• Drive the planning, research, and execution of new product introductions and enhancement projects.

• Oversee project timelines, deliverables, team roles, and status reporting to ensure on-time execution.

• Integrate market research, industry trends, and customer feedback into product development strategies.

• Manage the full product lifecycle and ensure all processes align with cGMP standards and financial targets.

• Demonstrate strong technical understanding of formulations for capsules, tablets, and powders, including ingredient functionality, process parameters, and factors affecting stability, scalability from lab to full production, and sensory profile.

• Monitor flavor and product trends to support innovation and brand differentiation. Match and enhance existing product flavor systems for a variety of supplement forms.

• Manage portfolio of raw materials used for formulation, balancing customers' requests with the opportunity to streamline material procurement and reduce costs.

• Work collaboratively with the project management team and support the quoting process by suggesting substitutions for similar materials.

• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving R&D, marketing, sales, and manufacturing to align with business and regulatory objectives.

• Work in tandem with Quality Assurance to ensure compliance with regulatory standards for dietary supplements.

• Own day-to-day product development tasks, escalating to the VP of Contract Manufacturing where their advice / input is needed.

• Perform additional duties as needed.

Success factors/job competencies:

• Management

• Leadership & Team Development

• Organizational and Planning Skills

• Analytical Skills

• Customer Service Orientation

• Attention to Detail

• Safety Orientation

Physical demands and work environment:

• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, see, hear, and speak for extended periods of time

• Work involves exposure to all known major and minor allergens including but not limited to peanuts

• Requires exposure to temperature extremes and exposure to outside weather conditions from open dock doors, dirt, dust, fumes, chemicals, etc.

• Requires exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable

• Required to wear proper PPE when applicable

Work Days and Shifts:

• Position works Monday through Friday on-site in the Pittsburgh Headquarters

Education/Certification(s)/License(s) required:

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a science or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience

Experience/Other required:

• Computer proficiency, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and CRM

• Must periodically pass random drug screening

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in product development in the nutraceutical industry

• Supervisory experience is required

• Laboratory experience is required