R&D Technical Transfer Scientist

R&D Technical Services ScientistFull TimeProfessionalCarlsbad-HQ, Carlsbad, CA, USRequisition ID: 1424Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $125,000.00 AnnuallySince 1980, NAI has been a leader in nutritional health, bringing whole food-based supplements to a global population. NAI is a leading expert and manufacturer of dietary supplements. We are involved in every facet of the industry, including research, development, manufacturing and marketing and advocacy. As a company, we continue to grow with manufacturing locations in Vista and Carlsbad, CA. We are looking for seasoned and entry level candidates that are interested in working for a great company with opportunities to grow, competitive pay and benefits.BenefitsFree medical (one plan) and other medical plan optionsDental, vision, life insurance and other voluntary benefit options.$1,000 Employee Referral Bonus3 weeks' vacation and 11 paid holidays401K including company matching and profit sharingOpportunities for advancementComprehensive trainingTuition Reimbursement and more!SummaryResponsible for the successful technical transfer of product formulas from pilot lab to commercial equipment and through to cGMP production scale. Collaborate with R&D Team and Operations Team on formula development, providing technical expertise on reformulation needs through the product development process to achieve successful scale up. Create and maintain technical transfer documentation and history. Evaluate and refine product formulas as needed after commercial production, while maintaining customer requirements. Well versed on dietary supplement tablet, capsule and powder delivery formats.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesFormulation:Provide technical expertise and support to ensure successful transfer of customer formulas from concept to pilot lab and on to commercial equipment and cGMP production.Collaborate with R&D Formulation Team and Technical Operations team on optimization of existing formulas to improve production efficiencies.Be readily available to perform quick and timely adjustments to optimize production runs at all stages of the production processDesign and conduct appropriate formulation experiments to facilitate and ensure successful technical transfer of customer products to commercial production equipment, collaborating with R&D Formulation team, R&D Pilot Lab team and Director of Technical Operations.Present relevant findings following technical transfer trials and formula adjustments to provide guidance to R&D Formulation and R&D Pilot Lab team as needed.Provide technical expertise in review of initial formula concepts going through quoting process for any concerns around processability on commercial equipmentCollaborate with R&D Formulation Team on development of new product concepts that would be suitable for commercializationCreate and maintain relevant history and documentation on product formula transfer from pilot lab to commercial equipment:Pilot lab trial reportsCommercial equipment trial reportsFirst commercial production reportsModifications to equipment settings, blend instructions, and formulas during producttrialsPresent technical transfer trial data/findings to senior management, Business Development and Client Management teams as neededCreate and/or act as additional R&D reviewer as needed to ensure accuracy and/or maintain accurate records of technical documents for product development projects, including but not limited to:Draft formulasFinal formulasProduct specificationsProduct justificationsMaster batch recordsTesting requests for finished productsTesting requests for prototypesDocument change requests for formulasPilot batch recordsAssist R&D Formulation team in evaluation of out-of-specification results on finished productsAct as an additional reviewer and signoff of formula formula-related documents for others on the R&D teamMaintain awareness of and update training as neededProper use of laboratory and manufacturing equipmentDevelopment of new techniques, testing, and other areas related to product developmentProvide technical and scientific input, support and assistance to other technical disciplinesFollow efficient operations in assigned project areas in accordance with NAI requirements, SOP's and GMP'sTake leading role for projects as assignedWorks independently while understanding the necessity for effective communication and coordination of work efforts with cross-functional team and external partnersParticipates in project meetingsSupport other projects as needed within the formulation teamRaw Materials:Collaborate with and assist R&D Formulation Team, R&D Technical Services Team, Purchasing and Quality with qualification and replacement of new and alternate raw materials and suppliers.Collaborate with the R&D Formulation Team to identify raw material needs for prototypes and pilots for R&D Technical Services and Purchasing teams.Collaborate on specification development with R&D Technical Services and Formulation teams.Provide on-going internal and external technical support to ensure that production needs are met and customer requests are satisfiedManage and troubleshoot raw materials related products by understanding the potential ramifications caused by raw material and specification changes, such that appropriate actions are takenBuild strategic relationships and maintain effective communications with vendorsFoster professional knowledge of market and supplier informationCollaborate with R&D Formulation Team and Purchasing as needed to help support a consistent supply of our raw materials, as well as avoid market price fluctuationsOther DutiesMaintain awareness of current developments within the functional disciplineDevelop a network of outside contacts such as vendors, consultants, educators, and attend appropriate continuing education coursesCollaborate with and support cross-functional NAI teamsPresent ideas and suggestions for product or process improvements, and improvements to pilot laboratory operationsPerform other related duties as assignedQualificationsRequires a four year college or university degree or its equivalent in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Food Science, Chemical Engineering or other science-related fieldIn-depth knowledge of formula development in hard shell capsules, tablets, powder fills and/or other dietary supplement dosage formsSuccessful track record of developing/commercializing new products in manufacturing environmentRequires a minimum of five years direct industry formulation development experience, ideally with an additional three years of related experiencePossess comprehensive knowledge and practical experience with product/process development, and a firm foundation in chemistry, mathematics, pharmaceutics and/or food scienceProficient in oral and written communication skills as well as effective organizational skills and the ability to make presentations and recommendations in the area of responsibilityMust be able to communicate effectively in a cross functional team environment and have the ability to statistically analyze dataMust have computer literacy, including word processing and spreadsheet softwareMust have strong critical thinking, sound judgment, planning, organizing and problem-solving skillsAbility to work as a team member and interact at all levelsSupervisory ResponsibilitiesNo direct supervisor responsibilities, but may guide and assign the work of others, such as technical support scientists, as well as provide technical guidance and support to formulation scientists.Physical DemandsManufacturing and general office environmentExposure to disagreeable elements is negligibleFrequent work in pilot plant and production facilitiesTrainingThe incumbent must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering the health or safety of self or others.Work EnvironmentGeneral office, pilot plant and manufacturing environmentA portion of the work will take place in the encapsulation, powder and/or tableting areas of the manufacturing facility, where one will be exposed to computerized equipment, moving mechanical parts, forklifts, heavy pallets, moderate to loud noise level, and air-borne dust and powdersWhile working in the manufacturing area, one will be required to wear various personal protective equipment (e.g., clothing, hair net, face mask, gloves, goggles, etcNAI is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current NAI employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Created: 2025-01-14