R&D Scientist

Reliance Vitamin is a leading contract manufacturer of high-quality dietary supplements, partnering with established and emerging brands to bring innovative health and wellness products to market. Based in Edison, New Jersey, we foster a collaborative, quality-driven culture where employees are empowered to contribute, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The R&D Formulation Scientist is a full-time, on-site position responsible for developing and commercializing innovative nutraceutical products by executing formulation development, laboratory evaluation, pilot trials, technology transfer, and technical documentation. Reporting to the Vice President of R&D, the role collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure products are scientifically sound, regulatory compliant, manufacturable, and delivered within project timelines while meeting customer and business objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Develop nutraceutical formulations for tablets, capsules, powders, sachets, and effervescent dosage forms.

Select appropriate active ingredients, excipients, flavors, sweeteners, and delivery systems based on product requirements.

Conduct formulation development, optimization, troubleshooting, and product improvement activities.

Prepare technical quotations and laboratory bench samples for customer evaluation and internal product development.

Execute laboratory-scale development, pilot trials, and support technology transfer and commercial scale-up activities.

Conduct accelerated and real-time stability studies, evaluate results, and recommend formulation improvements.

Evaluate new raw materials, review Certificates of Analysis (CoA), and support alternate raw material and supplier qualification and approval processes.

Prepare and maintain Product Development Reports, Master Formulae, Batch Manufacturing Instructions, Product Specifications, SOPs, and other technical documentation.

Support label review, ingredient verification, and preparation of technical and regulatory documentation.

Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP), FSSAI, ISO/FSSC 22000, and other applicable regulatory and quality requirements.

Conduct R&D assessments for change requests, deviations, reworks, Raw Material Qualifications (RMQs), and Packaging Material Qualifications (PMQs).

Create and maintain Item Codes, Item Masters, Manufacturing Bills of Materials (BOMs), Packaging BOMs, label item numbers, and revision control within the ERP system.

Initiate and manage change requests, substitutions, duplicate and inactive items, packaging material revisions, item master documentation, and rework instructions.

Participate in cross-functional meetings to provide technical updates, review quotations, sample evaluations, fill studies, dashboards, and ongoing product development activities.

Collaborate with Production, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Packaging Development, Business Development, and other cross-functional teams to ensure successful product commercialization.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, process efficiency, innovation, and cost optimization.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Critical Operating Relationships:

Internal

Research & Development, Production, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement & Supply Chain, Packaging Development, Business Development & Sales, Engineering & Maintenance

External

Customers, Raw Material Suppliers, Ingredient Manufacturers, Packaging Suppliers, Contract Testing Laboratories, Regulatory Consultants.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

BA. Science or MA. Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nutraceuticals, Food Technology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Chemistry, or related discipline.

Experience:

1–5 years in Nutraceutical, Dietary Supplement, Pharmaceutical, Food, or Herbal Product Development.

Experience in a Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO/CDMO) will be an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Nutraceutical formulation development

Vitamins, minerals, botanicals, amino acids, probiotics, enzymes, and specialty ingredients

Excipient functionality and compatibility

Product stability and shelf-life evaluation

Tablet compression, capsule formulation, powder blending, and granulation

GMP, Good Documentation Practices (GDP), HACCP, ISO/FSSC 22000

Basic regulatory knowledge (FSSAI and export market requirements)

Technical report writing and documentation

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & PowerPoint)

OPTIMAL EXPECTATIONS:

Core Competencies:

Scientific & Analytical Thinking

Formulation Development

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Effective Communication

Teamwork & Collaboration

Planning & Time Management

Customer Focus

Accountability & Ownership

Working Conditions:

Laboratory and manufacturing environment. Frequent pilot plant and production support activities. Interaction with domestic and international customers as required.

Occasional travel for technical support, vendor evaluation, customer meetings, or exhibitions.

Pay: $58,000.00 - $67,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

How many years of hands-on experience do you have developing nutraceutical, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, food, or herbal product formulations?

Are you able to work full-time, on-site in Edison, New Jersey, including supporting laboratory trials, pilot runs, and production scale-up activities?

Do you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Technology, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Nutraceuticals, or a related field?

Work Location: In person