Lief Labs is a premier formulation and product development innovator and manufacturer of dietary supplements. Our in-house Product Development and R&D team create the best-tasting and most cutting-edge formulations of supplements. Lief also houses a state-of-the-art, full-service Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) manufacturing facility, which offers custom solutions for a multitude of supplement categories. Lief collaborates with entrepreneurial firms to help them build premier brands. Our turnkey solutions allow us to engage in seamless partnerships that help brands with scalability and sustainable growth. Lief Labs is located in the Santa Clarita Valley (Valencia, CA.) All roles are on-site Monday – Friday.

Summary

As the Director of R&D, you will play a critical role in driving the company's innovation and product development efforts. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the research and development process, from conceptualization to commercialization, while ensuring adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in pharmaceutical R&D, excellent leadership skills, and a proven track record of bringing successful products to market..

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Research and Development department, providing strategic direction, guidance, and support to a team of scientists, researchers, and technicians.
• Develop and implement the company's R&D strategy to drive innovation and support the achievement of business goals and objectives.
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and feasibility studies to formulation, pre-clinical trials, and scale-up for commercial production.
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within the R&D team, encouraging the generation of novel ideas and creative problem-solving.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, and Manufacturing, to ensure seamless coordination and execution of projects.
• Review and approve research proposals, experimental protocols, and project plans to ensure alignment with corporate objectives and scientific rigor.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in pharmaceutical research, technologies, and industry trends to drive continuous improvement and stay competitive in the market.
• Manage R&D budgets and resources effectively, optimizing allocation to support projects and timelines.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with external partners, academic institutions, and research organizations to foster collaborations and leverage external expertise.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines, industry standards, and quality requirements throughout the R&D process.
• Provide regular updates and reports to senior management and stakeholders on the progress of R&D projects and initiatives.
• Mentor and develop R&D team members, promoting their professional growth and fostering a culture of learning and development.

Supervisory Responsibilities

supervisory responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge

Education:

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field. MBA or relevant business management degree is a plus.

Skills/ Abilities

• Problem Solving
• Planning & Organizing
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Relationship Management
• Time Management
• Ability to interact at all levels
• Ability to work as a team member
• Flexibility/ adaptability/ multi-tasking

Experience

• Proven track record of at least 8-10 years of experience in pharmaceutical Research and Development, with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
• Demonstrated success in bringing pharmaceutical products from concept to commercialization.
• Strong knowledge of drug development processes, including pre-clinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with a track record of building and motivating high-performing teams.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and results.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g., FDA, cGMP) is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Work Environment

The office is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated. Noise levels are considered low to moderate. Field conditions vary.

Exposed to various raw materials, including allergens (i.e. milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nut, peanuts, wheat, soy).

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, crawl, sit, talk, move about, hear and speak. May be required to work in restricted spaces and/or under difficult lighting and access conditions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-50 pounds and be able to use appropriate support equipment to lift and move greater amounts. Must be able to stand for approximately 8 hours.

Must be able to work independently, in a team environment, and drive projects to solutions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to use properly use such safety equipment as is appropriate to the work to prevent injury to self or others.

Additional Information
The Salary Range for this position at Lief Labs is $105 - 175k (USD). Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to market demands, experience, training, skills, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, wellness benefits, education reimbursement program, and PTO. This position is bonus eligible.

Lief is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, contact the Lief Human Resources department.

Lief will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Lief uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility in the United States. E-Verify compares the information on your Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to official government records.