Director of Research and Development Western Botanicals - 3.2 Spanish Fork, UT Job Details Full-time 1 day ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Qualifications Cost management Customer communication Teamwork Product development project management Developing new product formulations GMP Chemical scale-up projects Manufacturing facility experience Team development Collaboration with product development teams Bachelor's degree Client management Mentoring Batch records Organizational skills Leading team collaboration initiatives Scalability Quality standards in production Collaboration with manufacturing teams Managing projects Chemical new product development projects Research & development Team motivation (leadership skill) Performance evaluation Full Job Description About the Company WB Blends is a growing dietary supplement contract manufacturer located in Spanish Fork Utah just outside of Provo. The company has grown significantly in the past few years and is fully anticipating continued rapid growth. We have a great company culture and are committed to success of both the company and the team members. If you are seeking a new opportunity with room to grow, be a part of a driven & collaborative team and enhance your skillset in the dietary supplement industry apply today. Position Overview The Director of Research & Development (R D) is responsible for leading formulation strategy, product innovation, and commercialization across the organization. This role drives the development of new liquid supplement products — including vitamin and mineral suspensions, herbal formulations, and tinctures — as well as capsule and powder products, while ensuring scalability, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and alignment with customer objectives. The Director of R D works cross-functionally with Sales, Customer Success, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Operations to bring new products to market, support client interactions, and develop proactive product concepts aligned with business growth. As a contract manufacturer, our R D function is customer-facing by design: this role is a technical partner to our accounts and a visible driver of new revenue. The position carries high visibility across the organization and is accountable for innovation throughput, successful commercialization, and the technical credibility of Western Botanicals in the market. Essential Job Functions Lead formulation strategy and the innovation roadmap across liquid, capsule, and powder categories, maintaining current knowledge of formulation technologies, delivery systems, and ingredient trends. Lead, coach, hire, and develop the R D team and track innovation

ROI, SKU

performance, and new product launch success; and create an atmosphere of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement Develop and formulate liquid products including mineral suspensions, vitamin suspensions, tinctures, and herbal blends — addressing suspension stability and dispersibility, viscosity, pH and preservative systems, and taste. Develop and formulate capsule and powder products, including blend uniformity, flow, and dosage-form feasibility. Assess technical feasibility, manufacturability, certification constraints, and target cost of goods at project intake to prioritize the project portfolio against the size of the opportunity. Own the development and sample tickets, including request prioritization, turnaround commitments, and documented evaluation against specification and cost targets. Scale formulations from bench to pilot to commercial production, and assist in thee technical transfer package to Operations — master formula, specifications, etc. Troubleshoot formulation challenges and provide technical solutions during scale-up and production, including settling, separation, viscosity drift, flavor and color instability, flowability, and yield issues. Work cross-functionally with Quality, Regulatory, and Operations to ensure formulations meet regulatory, stability, and manufacturing requirements, and to support Supplement Facts panels, claim substantiation, and third-party certification programs. Travel with Sales to support client meetings, on-site flavor sessions, and product pitches; serve as the senior technical expert in customer conversations and translate customer goals into scalable, manufacturable formulations. Support new business by developing and pitching proactive product concepts that will be sent and pitched to our new and existing clients. Manage flavor supplier relationships, ingredient sourcing, and technical qualification of ingredients and suppliers; design to cost-of-goods targets and oversee the flavor and ingredient library to prevent dead inventory. Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science, Nutrition, or a related scientific field required. Advanced degree preferred but not required. Experience 7+ years of R D or formulation experience in dietary supplement, nutraceutical, food/beverage, or related cGMP manufacturing environments. Strong experience in liquid supplement formulation, including suspensions, tinctures, and herbal products as well as capsule and powder products. Demonstrated experience scaling formulations from bench to commercial production, including tech transfer to manufacturing. Leadership experience — minimum of 3+ years managing, mentoring, or directing R D or technical teams. Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and Operations. Experience in customer-facing roles, including client meetings, product pitches, or technical sales support. Contract manufacturing, private label, or multi-customer product development experience strongly preferred. Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office and formulation documentation systems; ERP experience preferred. Working knowledge of 21 CFR Part 111 cGMP for dietary supplements, including specification setting, master manufacturing records, and batch records. Understanding of DSHEA, dietary supplement labeling and Supplement Facts requirements, allergen labeling, and structure/function claim boundaries. Familiarity with third-party certification and audit programs relevant to contract manufacturing (cGMP audits, NSF, sport certification, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, Kosher, Halal). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a strong customer-facing presence. Ability to translate technical concepts into viable product offerings and to explain technical outcomes to non-technical audiences. Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple development timelines simultaneously. Strong leadership skills; ability to motivate, train, develop, and evaluate team members. Strong business acumen with an understanding of cost, margin, and product-market fit. High attention to detail and strong organizational skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. Complete fluency in English; additional language skills are a plus but not required.

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person