What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Product Development Scientist position at Nature's Sunshine Products?
Role Overview The Product Development Scientist supports the Research & Development team in the design, development, and improvement of dietary supplement products from concept through commercialization. This role plays a key part in formulation development, benchtop testing, documentation, and cross-functional coordination throughout the stage-gate process.
Working closely with Regulatory, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Marketing, this individual helps ensure products are scientifically sound, manufacturable, compliant, and aligned with company standards. This is a highly collaborative role ideal for candidates looking to build strong technical formulation skills, gain exposure to the full product development lifecycle, and grow within a cross-functional product organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Development & Formulation Support
- Support the design and development of new products and reformulations from concept through commercialization.
- Assist in ingredient selection, formula development, and optimization to meet product performance, quality, and cost targets.
- Prepare benchtop samples for internal evaluation, sensory testing, and market acceptability.
- Document formulation changes and technical learnings throughout development.
- Analyze product formulations, specifications, and manufacturing complexity to support portfolio performance and lifecycle decisions.
- Stage-Gate & Technical Documentation
- Support product initiatives through the stage-gate process by preparing and maintaining accurate techsheet documentation.
- Draft and update specifications for raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
- Maintain organized, accurate, and complete records of formulations, taste testing results, and development activities.
- Ensure all formula and item data is accurately entered and maintained.
- Manufacturing Scale-Up & Troubleshooting
- Support transfer of products from benchtop to pilot and commercial scale in collaboration with Manufacturing and QA.
- Assist with process optimization, scale-up activities, and production trial support.
- Participate in troubleshooting formulation, processing, or quality issues and help implement effective corrective actions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Regulatory to support compliant formulation design and documentation.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance to ensure product quality, specifications, and testing requirements are met.
- Work with Manufacturing and Supply Chain to support ingredient sourcing, manufacturability, and production readiness.
- Partner with the Label Coordinator, Regulatory, and Marketing to ensure product labels accurately reflect the formulation, specifications, and overall product design.
- Continuous Improvement & Professional Development
- Contribute ideas for improving formulations, processes, documentation, and workflows.
- Stay current on ingredient trends, formulation technologies, and scientific developments relevant to supplements.
- Maintain relationships with ingredient suppliers and attend supplier meetings to learn about new ingredient offerings and applications.
- Build technical competency, problem-solving skills, and cross-functional effectiveness.
- Demonstrate ownership, curiosity, and a commitment to learning within a fast-paced R&D environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, or a related scientific field
- 0–3 years of product development, formulation, or laboratory experience (supplements, food, or CPG preferred)
- Familiarity with laboratory practices, formulation documentation, and basic analytical or benchtop testing
- Understanding of product development lifecycles and cross-functional collaboration
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and documentation accuracy
- Ability to balance independent work with effective collaboration
- Interest in wellness, science-based supplements, and purpose-driven products
What Success Looks Like
- Accurate, well-organized formulation and technical documentation that supports stage-gate progress
- Reliable execution of benchtop work, testing, and sample preparation
- Growing independence in formulation development and troubleshooting
- Effective collaboration with QA, Regulatory, Marketing, and Operations partners
- Consistent follow-through on commitments and timelines
- Demonstrated growth in technical skill, confidence, and problem-solving ability
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Nature's Sunshine is dedicated to being a Force of Nature that champions social and environmental wellness. We are focused on building a team of professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to become the natural supplement company of the future. By celebrating the individuality and unique perspectives of our workforce, we empower our employees to share the healing power of nature with more people around the world. And through our commitment to sustainable processes, renewable energy usage and waste reduction initiatives, we're devoted to preserving nature and its power for future generations.
We believe we are stronger together, and our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging ensures that every employee is treated with fairness and respect. Because doing what's right-in the right way-is how we succeed as a company and a society.