Associate Formulator (On-site)

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 an Associate Formulator, you will play a crucial role in the development of high-quality nutritional supplements. This role involves working closely with our formulation team to create and improve product formulations while ensuring they meet strict quality and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Formulation Development: Collaborate with Research & Development to develop new nutritional supplement formulations that align with product strategy and market demands.
• Ingredient Selection: Assist in selecting and sourcing high-quality raw materials and ingredients to be used in product formulations, considering factors such as efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Formulation Optimization: Participate in the optimization of existing formulations to improve product quality, stability, and cost-efficiency.
• Problem Solving: Lead problem solving sessions using (A3) lean manufacturing methodology.
• Technology Transfer: Responsible for coordination and execution of benchtop, pilot, manufacturing scale up and verification batches.
• Physical Testing: Perform raw material physical testing (Particle Size Distribution, Bulk Density, Flowability, Sensory, organoleptic and disintegration).
• Deviations/Change Request: Work closely with Product Development, Research & Development, Quality and Operations to ensure deviations and or change request and issued, captured correctly and recorded.
• Troubleshooting: The ability to trouble shoot manufacturing equipment.
• Consumer Complaints: The ability to investigate and find root cause for assigned consumer complaints.
• Key Performance Indicator: Update and maintain KPI and ability to speak on progress during daily huddles.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all formulations comply with relevant regulatory guidelines and requirements, such as FDA regulations, cGMP, and internal quality standards.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and organized records of all formulation experiments and changes, including batch records, laboratory notebooks, and technical reports.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including quality assurance, research and development, and production, to drive successful product launches.
• Research: Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging ingredients, and scientific advancements to contribute to the development of innovative products.
• Safety: Follow laboratory safety protocols and best practices to maintain a safe working environment.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Associate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, or a related field. A master's degree is a plus. or equivalent in a relevant work experience.
  
  

Experience

• 3+ years of experience working in an R&D or product development laboratory, preferably in the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, or food industry.
• Previous experience in formulation development, preferably in the dietary supplement or pharmaceutical industry.
• Strong understanding of scientific principles, including chemistry and nutrition.
• Knowledge of regulatory guidelines, such as cGMP and FDA regulations.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and meet project deadlines.
  

Skills/ Abilities Problem Solving

• Data Analysis
• Problem Solving
• Planning & organizing
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Relationship Management
• Quality Orientation
• Ability to interact at all levels
• Ability to work as a team member
• Flexibility/ adaptability/ multi-tasking
  

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 may regularly require talking, hearing and grasping items. This position is active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching extensively throughout the day. The employee may be required to grasp, lift and/or move items over 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Additional Information

The Salary Range for this position at Lief Labs is $24- $28 (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.