R And D , Quality Executive

NUVEXA BIOTECH PVT. LTD.  |  JOB DESCRIPTION

R&D and Quality Executive

Product Development  •  QA/QC  •  CDMO Audits & Batch Oversight

Nutraceuticals, Skincare, Ayurveda, Pet Care & Pharmaceuticals

Position DetailsDescriptionCompanyNuvexa Biotech Pvt. Ltd.DepartmentResearch & Development, Quality and Manufacturing OperationsLocationAttibele, Bengaluru, with regular travel to manufacturer sitesEmployment TypeFull-time, on-siteExperience3–5 years of relevant experience across product development and QA/QC or manufacturingScopeIn-house development, manufacturer R&D coordination, QA/QC oversight, CDMO qualification and audits, on-site batch monitoring and parallel execution of assigned product launchesReporting ToR&D / Product Development Head, with a functional quality reporting line to the designated Quality Head or management leadCompensationCommensurate with qualifications, experience and demonstrated technical capabilityTravelRegular travel to contract manufacturers (CDMOs), suppliers and testing laboratories for audits, batch monitoring and technical reviews; on-site presence, including multi-day stays where required, during first commercial batches, scale-ups and investigationsAbout Nuvexa Biotech

Nuvexa Biotech Pvt. Ltd. is an AI-based healthtech company designing and developing hyper-specific, problem-solving products—not the same formulation with a different brand cover. Our portfolio spans nutraceuticals, skincare, Ayurveda, pet care and pharmaceuticals.

We combine scientific research, ingredient expertise, consumer insights, formulation development and AI-assisted workflows to address clearly defined everyday needs. Every ingredient, dose, delivery format and product feature must serve a clear purpose, supported by appropriate evidence, safety assessment and testing.

We are strengthening our in-house R&D and quality capabilities while collaborating with qualified manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, technical specialists and testing laboratories to develop differentiated, commercially viable products of consistent quality.

Position Overview

We seek a technically strong, hands-on R&D and Quality Executive with sound ingredient knowledge, working knowledge of quality systems, scientific curiosity and the ability to convert approved concepts into launch-ready products that are manufactured consistently to approved standards.

The executive will work concurrently on assigned projects across the company’s categories, aligned with launch priorities, approved resources and timelines. Responsibilities include conducting in-house development, coordinating manufacturers’ R&D teams, driving agreed deliverables to completion and supporting commercial launches.

The role also carries quality oversight of Nuvexa’s externally manufactured products. The executive will support Nuvexa’s quality management system, review quality control data, qualify and audit contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs), and monitor production of Nuvexa batches at manufacturer sites—so that what reaches the customer matches what was developed and approved.

The candidate will integrate company-approved AI tools throughout research, ingredient evaluation, formulation planning, documentation, quality review and project execution, while independently verifying scientific outputs and coordinating qualified specialists where required.

Every product must begin with a clearly defined user need. The executive will collaborate with cross-functional teams to support commercial success through science-backed differentiation, appropriate safety and quality standards, positive user experience, manufacturing feasibility and cost discipline.

We seek someone who takes ownership, learns continuously, adapts constructively to changing requirements and grows with the company through demonstrated contribution.

Key Responsibilities

1. User-Centric Research & Product Brief Development•    Translate consumer needs, customer feedback, market insights and approved launch plans into actionable technical briefs.

•    Identify specific everyday problems, unmet needs and shortcomings in existing products.

•    Define the intended user, age group or life stage, target market, use occasion, product category and format.

•    Establish proposed benefits, serving size or application instructions, pack size, restrictions and tolerability requirements.

•    Define realistic performance expectations, measurable objectives and acceptance criteria.

•    Confirm sensory benchmarks, packaging needs, target shelf life, storage conditions, costs and manufacturing constraints.

•    Conduct scientific literature reviews and competitor product benchmarking.

•    Prepare concept notes covering formulation rationale, evidence gaps, differentiation, technical risks and commercial feasibility.

2. Ingredient Expertise & Qualification•    Evaluate active ingredients, excipients, botanical extracts, patented ingredients and branded ingredients for suitability and intended function.

•    Assess grades, sources, standardisation, potency, purity, compatibility, stability, bioavailability and safety considerations.

•    Determine whether supporting research applies to the proposed grade, dose, format and intended population.

•    Select ingredients based on justified product requirements, evidence and feasibility.

•    Review specifications, certificates of analysis, technical data, safety information and traceability records.

•    Confirm relevant identity and authenticity requirements with qualified specialists.

•    Verify supplier evidence and permitted use of branded ingredient names and associated claims.

•    Identify risks involving material quality, availability, minimum order quantities, lead times and cost.

•    Assess suitable alternatives and maintain approved-source records.

3. Formulation & In-House Prototype Development•    Develop and optimise assigned formulations through structured bench-scale experiments.

•    Work on relevant formats, including powders, capsules, tablets, oral strips, liquids, creams, gels, serums and cleansers, within demonstrated competence and available facilities.

•    Document the purpose and technical justification for ingredients and ingredient combinations.

•    Evaluate compatibility, processing suitability, physical stability and packaging compatibility.

•    Assess appearance, taste, texture, odour, solubility, dispersibility, pH, viscosity and other relevant attributes.

•    Investigate sedimentation, separation, poor dissolution, unpleasant taste, colour changes and inconsistent texture.

•    Consider serving practicality, ease of use, tolerability and suitability for consistent use.

•    Record trial methods, calculations, observations, results and recommendations.

•    Confirm acceptance criteria before advancing formulations.

4. Manufacturer R&D Coordination & Delivery Ownership•    Act as the primary technical coordinator between Nuvexa and manufacturers’ R&D, analytical, production, packaging and quality teams.

•    Translate approved concepts into development briefs with clear specifications, target costs, deliverables and timelines.

•    Obtain written development plans with named owners, sample dates, testing requirements and pilot schedules.

•    Drive execution through regular follow-ups, technical reviews, action trackers and timely escalation.

•    Critically review manufacturers’ formulations, ingredient grades, samples and supporting evidence.

•    Request justified improvements where proposed products do not meet the approved brief.

•    Coordinate sample revisions, internal evaluations and documented approvals until acceptance criteria are achieved.

•    Track testing, stability work, packaging compatibility, pilot trials and technology transfer through completion.

•    Escalate missed commitments and recommend recovery actions.

•    Maintain access to agreed technical records and development outputs.

5. Parallel Project Management & Development Approvals•    Manage concurrent projects against the company’s approved launch calendar and resource plan.

•    Maintain a consolidated tracker covering milestones, budgets, dependencies, owners, risks and decisions required.

•    Follow documented stages: approved brief, feasibility assessment, prototype, testing, pilot, commercial readiness and post-launch review.

•    Define required records, acceptance criteria, reviewers and approvals at each stage.

•    Maintain decision logs covering approvals, rejected options, outstanding concerns and changes.

•    Recommend whether projects should proceed, be revised, paused or discontinued.

•    Flag workload constraints and specialist dependencies early, including conflicts between development work and scheduled audits or batch visits.

•    Obtain approval before initiating unplanned trials, studies or expenditure.

6. Laboratory Setup & Management•    Assess laboratory capabilities and recommend equipment, instruments, consumables and external support.

•    Establish and maintain approved SOPs, equipment logs, calibration schedules and maintenance records.

•    Maintain raw-material identification, storage conditions, inventory and sample traceability.

•    Follow cleaning, safe handling, sample-retention and waste-disposal procedures.

•    Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic records.

•    Monitor consumable usage, material expiry and equipment availability.

•    Coordinate external support for activities requiring specialist expertise or facilities.

7. Supplier Evaluation & Supply Continuity•    Support technical evaluation of ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, manufacturers and laboratories.

•    Coordinate quotations, samples, technical queries and corrective actions.

•    Work with procurement and operations to resolve availability, minimum order quantity and lead-time constraints.

•    Identify technically suitable alternative sources for critical materials.

•    Support management and QA in defining technical responsibilities within external arrangements.

•    Ensure substitutions and changes receive documented review through change control before implementation.

8. Scale-Up, Technology Transfer & Manufacturing Readiness•    Prepare transfer packages containing approved formulas, specifications, process instructions, critical parameters and acceptance criteria.

•    Support transfer from laboratory trials to pilot and commercial manufacturing.

•    Evaluate risks involving mixing, sequence, temperature, hold times, yield and uniformity.

•    Investigate differences between laboratory prototypes, approved samples and manufactured batches.

•    Track process losses, yields and recurring production problems.

•    Coordinate first commercial production and support review with manufacturing and quality teams.

•    Verify consistency with approved specifications and reference samples.

•    Incorporate approved findings and changes into controlled records.

9. Development Testing, Analytical Methods & Stability•    Develop product-specific testing plans with qualified quality, analytical and regulatory personnel.

•    Coordinate appropriate analytical, microbiological, stability, contaminant and compatibility studies.

•    Confirm that methods are suitable for the finished-product matrix.

•    Define sampling requirements, frequency and acceptance criteria with responsible specialists.

•    Review reports against approved specifications.

•    Investigate unexpected results, inconsistent reports and laboratory differences.

•    Track stability findings and support evidence-based shelf-life recommendations for specialist approval.

•    Support out-of-specification and deviation investigations.

•    Maintain agreed methods, reports and supporting data.

•    Ensure testing uses appropriately qualified laboratories and suitable methods.

10. Quality Assurance & Quality Management System•    Support the establishment and maintenance of Nuvexa’s quality management system for products made at external manufacturers, proportionate to company size and product categories.

•    Prepare, review and maintain controlled SOPs, formats, specifications and templates under document control.

•    Operate change control for formulations, materials, suppliers, processes, packaging, artwork and manufacturing sites, ensuring impact assessment and approval before implementation.

•    Record, investigate and track deviations, out-of-specification (OOS) and out-of-trend (OOT) results using structured root-cause analysis.

•    Manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) through implementation and effectiveness checks.

•    Draft and maintain quality (technical) agreements with manufacturers and laboratories, defining responsibilities for materials, testing, batch release, deviations, change notification, complaints, recalls and record retention, for management approval.

•    Maintain approved lists of manufacturers, suppliers and laboratories with qualification status, licences, certificates and re-evaluation dates.

•    Apply data-integrity principles (ALCOA+) to development, quality and batch records.

•    Prepare periodic product quality reviews by SKU covering batches, test results, deviations, changes, complaints and stability trends.

•    Support internal quality reviews and external inspections, certification audits or customer audits.

•    Coordinate quality awareness and procedure training for relevant internal teams.

11. Quality Control & Testing Oversight•    Define release specifications for raw materials, packaging materials and finished products with qualified specialists.

•    Verify manufacturer and supplier certificates of analysis against approved specifications, methods, limits and units before acceptance.

•    Plan risk-based independent verification testing at qualified third-party laboratories (accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 or NABL where appropriate), covering key actives, microbiological limits and relevant contaminants.

•    Define sampling plans, sample handling, labelling and chain of custody for Nuvexa batches.

•    Maintain retained and reference samples of every Nuvexa batch under defined storage conditions and retention periods.

•    Trend QC results across batches and manufacturers to detect drift, variability and recurring failures.

•    Review analytical method suitability with manufacturers and laboratories, and investigate inter-laboratory discrepancies.

•    Coordinate inspection of packaging materials for dimensions, print quality, barcodes, closures and label content against approved specifications and artwork.

•    Track ongoing stability studies on commercial batches and escalate adverse trends.

12. CDMO Qualification, Audits & Site Visits•    Plan and conduct pre-qualification audits of new contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs), contract laboratories and critical suppliers before products are awarded, involving qualified auditors where required.

•    Verify valid manufacturing licences, product permissions and category-specific approvals relevant to each assigned product and market, and track renewal dates.

•    Assess compliance against applicable GMP requirements—for example, Schedule M for drugs, Schedule T for Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani products and FSSAI hygiene requirements for food and nutraceutical businesses—and verify any certifications the manufacturer claims.

•    Evaluate premises, equipment, utilities, environmental controls, cleaning and line clearance, pest control, warehousing, material segregation, dispensing, QC laboratory capability, document control, data integrity, personnel training and cross-contamination and allergen controls.

•    Prepare structured audit checklists suited to each category and dosage form.

•    Issue audit reports with observations graded as critical, major or minor; agree CAPA plans with timelines and verify closure through evidence or follow-up visits.

•    Conduct re-qualification audits at a risk-based frequency, and for-cause audits following significant complaints, OOS results, recalls or repeated deviations.

•    Recommend approval, conditional approval or rejection of manufacturers with documented justification for management decision.

•    Maintain a manufacturer performance scorecard covering on-time delivery, right-first-time batches, deviations, CAPA closure and complaint rates, and lead periodic quality reviews with each CDMO.

•    Submit visit and audit reports within the agreed timeframe after each visit.

13. Batch Production Monitoring at Manufacturer Sites•    Plan and attend production of Nuvexa batches at manufacturer sites on a risk-based schedule; attendance is expected for first commercial batches, scale-ups, process or site changes and batches with prior issues.

•    Before production, confirm approved master formula and batch record versions, released materials from approved sources, approved artwork and packaging materials, and equipment readiness.

•    Verify dispensing of raw materials against the approved formula, grades, sources, quantities, lot numbers and approved overages.

•    Observe line clearance, equipment cleanliness and status labelling before manufacturing and packing.

•    Monitor critical process parameters—such as addition sequence, mixing time, speed, temperature, hold time, moisture, pH and viscosity—against approved process instructions.

•    Witness and review in-process checks appropriate to the format, such as weight variation, fill weight or volume, hardness, disintegration, pH, viscosity and seal integrity.

•    Verify on-line packaging: batch coding, manufacturing and expiry dates, mandatory declarations, label and carton content against approved artwork, leaflets, seal integrity and shipper markings.

•    Verify yield, material and printed packaging-material reconciliation, and investigate unexplained variances.

•    Collect first-off, representative and retention samples according to the approved sampling plan.

•    Record and escalate deviations observed on site; ensure no unapproved change to formula, materials, process or packaging proceeds.

•    Prepare batch monitoring reports, with photographs only where permitted by site policy.

14. Batch Record Review, Acceptance & Dispatch•    Review executed batch manufacturing and packaging records, in-process data, deviations and finished-product certificates of analysis for each Nuvexa batch.

•    Confirm that the manufacturer’s quality unit has released the batch under its licence before Nuvexa acceptance.

•    Prepare batch acceptance, hold or rejection recommendations with reasons for the designated approver.

•    Coordinate pre-dispatch inspection covering quantities, packaging condition, coding, shipper labelling and storage and transport conditions.

•    Ensure rework or reprocessing proceeds only with documented justification and approval.

•    Maintain complete, traceable batch documentation packs by SKU and batch number.

15. Packaging, Transport & In-Use Performance•    Evaluate protection against moisture, oxygen, light, leakage and contamination, as relevant.

•    Coordinate compatibility, seal-integrity, dispensing, transport and handling evaluations.

•    Assess performance after opening, including repeated use, reclosure, scooping and dispensing.

•    Investigate caking, strip sticking, pump blockage, leakage and separation.

•    Consider expected storage, distribution and user conditions.

•    Support storage and after-opening instructions with appropriate evidence.

•    Assess packaging changes for their effect on quality, stability and usability.

16. Consumer Participation & Product Validation•    Work with brand and customer-service teams to capture structured feedback and unmet needs.

•    Assess consumer suggestions for new products and improvements.

•    Coordinate approved sensory, usability and tolerability evaluations with appropriate consent and oversight.

•    Distinguish preference feedback from evidence supporting efficacy claims.

•    Prepare study briefs for qualified scientific, clinical or veterinary review where required.

•    Document methods, findings, limitations and decisions.

•    Use feedback to improve sensory experience, convenience, packaging and adherence to intended usage.

17. Differentiation, Evidence & Intellectual Property Support•    Maintain a matrix linking user needs to formulation features, ingredient rationale, evidence, validation methods and approved claims.

•    Document improvements against selected product benchmarks.

•    Identify proposed differentiation requiring finished-product testing.

•    Support preliminary patent and technical landscape reviews.

•    Assess opportunities for proprietary processes, exclusive arrangements or protectable intellectual property with management and specialists.

•    Refer ownership, licensing and freedom-to-operate questions for qualified assessment.

18. Safety, Quality, Regulatory & Claims Support•    Identify interactions, allergens, contraindications, usage restrictions and population-specific considerations requiring review.

•    Assess tolerability and escalate unresolved concerns.

•    Support qualified personnel in reviewing ingredient suitability, classification, labels, directions, warnings and claims.

•    Confirm intended sales markets before finalising briefs and coordinate market-specific technical reviews.

•    Maintain separate approved specifications or versions where markets require differences.

•    Assess overlapping ingredients and cumulative exposure when products are intended for combined use.

•    Refer proposed bundles and routines for appropriate specialist review.

•    Maintain evidence supporting product information and benefit statements.

•    Follow company quality systems and category-specific procedures.

19. Category-Specific Development & Quality FocusThe executive will coordinate assigned projects across all categories while performing technical work within demonstrated competence.

CategoryDevelopment ResponsibilitiesQuality & Manufacturing FocusNutraceuticalsFormulation trials, ingredient evaluation, sensory optimisation, testing and manufacturing transfer.Manufacturer licence status, dispensing accuracy of actives and overages, blend uniformity, assay of key actives, microbiological and contaminant testing.SkincareFormulation, stability, packaging compatibility and usability work with relevant specialists.Cosmetic manufacturing licence, process water quality, microbiological control and preservative efficacy, fill weight, pH, viscosity and pack integrity.AyurvedaBotanical identity, extract specifications, formulation evidence and category-specific review with qualified specialists.Applicable ASU manufacturing licence, raw-herb and extract identity, heavy metals, pesticide residues, aflatoxins and microbial limits where required.Pet careDevelopment with veterinary and species-specific nutrition or formulation experts, considering intended species and life stage.Licence or registration appropriate to the product’s classification, species-appropriate controls and segregation from human products where relevant.PharmaceuticalsAssigned non-sterile development support, specifications, analytical requirements, stability and dissolution work where applicable.Drug manufacturing licence, Schedule M compliance, assay, dissolution and related substances, QC laboratory data integrity. 

Specialised work, including sterile products and biologics, must be conducted through appropriately qualified teams and facilities.

20. AI Integration & Research Automation•    Use company-approved AI tools for literature discovery, evidence summaries, ingredient comparisons and competitor analysis.

•    Apply AI to support experiment planning, document preparation, audit checklist preparation, cost comparisons, knowledge retrieval and project tracking.

•    Build structured ingredient databases, evidence tables, quality trend logs and searchable records.

•    Verify references, calculations and conclusions against original sources.

•    Distinguish evidence, supplier statements, assumptions and hypotheses.

•    Maintain human review of scientific and quality conclusions; AI outputs must not substitute for verification of batch records, test data or audit evidence.

•    Work with the company’s AI team to automate repetitive reporting, reminders, licence-renewal tracking and administrative workflows.

•    Store verified sources, outputs and development decisions in approved systems.

•    Follow confidentiality, intellectual property and external-platform policies, including restrictions on uploading manufacturer or batch data to unapproved tools.

21. Formulation Control & Knowledge Continuity•    Maintain company-controlled master formulations, grades, quantities, process parameters and specifications.

•    Preserve versions, trial histories, reports, supplier records, audit reports and decisions.

•    Ensure changes to ingredients, suppliers, processes or packaging receive documented approval.

•    Support confidentiality, formulation ownership and access requirements in external development arrangements.

•    Maintain appropriate access controls and complete handovers.

•    Ensure authorised colleagues can continue work without depending on personal accounts or undocumented knowledge.

22. Commercial Feasibility & Cost Optimisation•    Develop formulations against approved target costs per serving or unit.

•    Evaluate availability, minimum orders, lead times, yields, losses and packaging costs.

•    Maintain bills of materials and development cost estimates.

•    Estimate trial, testing, audit, travel, external development and equipment costs before commitments.

•    Track expenditure against budgets.

•    Identify suitable alternatives and cost improvements.

•    Assess the impact of savings on performance, quality, stability and manufacturability.

•    Flag impractical concepts early and propose alternatives.

•    Balance differentiation, user experience, affordability and margin requirements with commercial teams.

23. Artwork Verification & Launch Execution•    Review technical artwork content against approved formulations, specifications, directions, warnings and claims.

•    Verify consistency between development samples, production samples and information provided to commercial teams.

•    Maintain approved reference samples and version histories.

•    Coordinate material, packaging and production dependencies with procurement and operations.

•    Maintain a launch-readiness checklist covering testing, documentation, artwork, packaging, manufacturer qualification, approvals and dispatch dependencies.

•    Drive outstanding actions to closure and report launch risks and decisions required.

•    Support launches following designated quality, regulatory and commercial approvals.

24. Technical Launch HandoverPrepare a controlled handover package containing:

•    Approved formulation, specifications and manufacturing instructions.

•    Manufacturer qualification status, audit outcomes and quality agreement status.

•    Testing and stability status, with the approved shelf-life basis.

•    Packaging specifications and compatibility findings.

•    Approved directions, warnings, claims and evidence.

•    Costed bill of materials and approved sources.

•    Product FAQs, storage guidance and customer-care escalation instructions.

•    Outstanding actions, owners and approval status.

25. Post-Launch Monitoring, Complaints & Recall Support•    Review complaints, returns, user feedback, deviations and stability trends by SKU, batch and manufacturer.

•    Capture sufficient identification, including batch, expiry and reported usage.

•    Escalate suspected adverse events, contamination, mix-ups and potentially serious defects immediately.

•    Coordinate complaint investigations with the manufacturer’s quality unit, including review of batch records and retained samples.

•    Support traceability, investigations and corrective actions.

•    Assist product holds, withdrawals or recalls under the designated quality lead.

•    Maintain escalation contacts and participate in relevant readiness exercises, including mock recalls.

•    Recommend improvements and assess requirements for further testing or review.

•    Track corrective actions through effectiveness assessment and update approved records.

26. Discontinuation, Handover & Team Collaboration•    Support assessments arising from discontinued materials, supplier exits, manufacturer changes, packaging changes and product withdrawals.

•    Preserve records, samples and stability commitments under approved policies.

•    Maintain handover notes covering pending tests, open CAPAs, commitments and risks.

•    Collaborate with quality, regulatory, procurement, packaging, operations, marketing, customer service and commercial teams.

•    Provide regular reports covering progress, obstacles, decisions and recommended actions.

•    Adapt constructively to approved changes while maintaining scientific and quality standards.

•    Share knowledge and follow assigned actions through to closure.

Authority, Support & Accountability

The executive is accountable for accurate, complete and timely execution of assigned development activities, manufacturer coordination, quality oversight, CDMO audits, batch monitoring and technical launch preparation.

The role may recommend formulations, specifications, testing plans, manufacturer approvals, batch acceptance decisions and improvements within demonstrated competence and delegated authority.

Final approval of safety, regulatory compliance, claims, material changes, manufacturer approval and Nuvexa’s acceptance of batches for sale remains with designated qualified personnel. Contracts, expenditure and commercial launch decisions require approval from authorised owners.

Nuvexa’s quality oversight supports, but does not replace, the licensed manufacturer’s responsibility for manufacturing, testing and batch release under its own licence.

Where the executive has developed a formulation or specification, quality decisions on that product—such as batch acceptance, deviation closure and change approval—require review by a designated approver independent of that development work.

During site visits, the executive must not authorise unapproved changes to formulas, materials, processes or packaging; any such proposal must follow change control.

Management will identify the quality, regulatory, analytical, clinical, veterinary, audit and specialist formulation support required for each project. Where priorities, resources or technical requirements conflict, the executive must present the impact and obtain a documented decision on scope, timing or support.

Commercial success is a shared responsibility. This role contributes through product relevance, differentiation, quality, usability, manufacturability and cost discipline.

Unresolved technical, safety, quality or compliance concerns must be escalated before the affected activity or batch proceeds.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential•    B.Pharm / M.Pharm, or a relevant postgraduate qualification in Food Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Biotechnology or a closely related discipline.

•    3–5 years of relevant experience in formulation and product development, with exposure to QA/QC or GMP manufacturing.

•    Demonstrated hands-on expertise in at least one core category and the ability to coordinate projects across other categories.

•    Strong ingredient knowledge covering functions, grades, dose rationale, compatibility, stability and evidence assessment.

•    Working knowledge of GMP, batch manufacturing records, specifications, certificates of analysis, deviations, change control and CAPA in at least one relevant category.

•    Shop-floor exposure at a manufacturing site, in-house or at a contract manufacturer.

•    Experience conducting laboratory trials and maintaining traceable records.

•    Experience driving deliverables with manufacturers’ R&D teams, suppliers and laboratories.

•    Practical understanding of specifications, stability, manufacturing and technology transfer.

•    Ability to critically assess scientific literature and supplier claims.

•    Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets, technical reporting and AI-assisted research tools.

•    Strong communication, organisation and follow-through, and willingness to travel regularly to manufacturer sites.

Preferred•    Experience taking at least one product from concept to commercial launch.

•    Experience across more than one relevant category.

•    Experience conducting or participating in GMP, vendor or CDMO audits.

•    Internal or lead auditor training (for example, ISO 9001, ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000) or equivalent GMP audit training.

•    Experience reviewing executed batch records and handling OOS or deviation investigations.

•    Experience with third-party or loan-licence manufacturing arrangements.

•    Exposure to sensory optimisation, packaging compatibility and cost reduction.

•    Experience setting up laboratory processes, SOPs or equipment systems.

•    Familiarity with structured experiments, data analysis and digital knowledge management.

•    Experience investigating manufacturing or post-launch issues.

•    Experience managing concurrent projects in a startup environment.

Candidate Attributes & Cultural Fit

•    User focus: Starts with a defined need and considers the complete product experience.

•    Scientific curiosity: Questions assumptions and seeks reliable evidence.

•    Quality vigilance: Holds the line on approved standards and escalates quality risks regardless of schedule pressure.

•    Ownership: Drives work to completion and communicates obstacles early.

•    Field readiness: Comfortable with frequent site visits, shop-floor work and direct, respectful challenge of manufacturers.

•    Continuous learning: Builds ingredient, formulation, quality, technology and AI capability.

•    Adaptability: Responds constructively to feedback and changing requirements.

•    Company alignment: Works toward agreed objectives, timelines and commercial constraints.

•    Collaboration: Coordinates effectively and shares knowledge.

•    Growth mindset: Accepts feedback and earns greater responsibility through performance.

•    Integrity: Protects confidential information, records data truthfully and raises concerns when necessary.

First 90-Day Deliverables

PeriodExpected DeliverablesFirst 30 daysReview launch priorities, products, laboratory capabilities and manufacturer records. Compile the list of active manufacturers with licence, certificate and quality-agreement status, and open quality issues. Submit a consolidated development plan, capability assessment, manufacturer action tracker, risk register and proposed CDMO audit plan.By 60 daysComplete agreed trials and sample reviews; establish documentation templates; confirm testing plans, ingredient records, costs and manufacturer milestones. Complete audits of priority CDMOs as per the approved plan; set up deviation, change control and CAPA logs; issue the batch monitoring checklist.By 90 daysDeliver agreed prototypes, pilot-readiness or launch-readiness packages according to project stage. Establish technical handover, approval tracking, batch acceptance workflow, retained-sample system, manufacturer scorecard and post-launch review processes. 

Project counts, audit numbers and timelines will reflect complexity, resources, material availability, manufacturer schedules and testing requirements.

Performance Measures

AreaMeasuresProject executionAchievement of milestones across concurrent projects.Manufacturer deliveryTimely samples, revisions, trials and closure of commitments.Technical qualityResults against approved specifications and acceptance criteria.Quality systemsTimely closure of deviations, CAPAs and change controls with effectiveness verified.CDMO auditsAudits completed against plan; observations closed with evidence; licences and agreements current.Batch qualityRight-first-time batches, rejections and reworks, completeness of batch documentation packs.User relevanceIncorporation of validated needs and evaluation findings.Evidence qualitySound ingredient rationale, suitable testing and verified research.DocumentationAccuracy, completeness, traceability and approval readiness.Cost disciplineFormulation and development costs against targets.Manufacturing transferSuccessful scale-up and batch consistency.Launch readinessClosure of technical dependencies and complete handovers.AI integrationUseful, verified outputs and reduced repetitive work.Post-launch improvementComplaint trends and effective investigation and closure of product issues.Knowledge continuityAccessible company records and effective handovers.Team contributionLearning, adaptability, collaboration and follow-through. 

Performance will consider delivery, evidence, user relevance, technical quality, batch consistency, cost and risk management—not solely the number of products launched.

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates may complete an assessment covering:

•    Review of a user problem and product brief.

•    Ingredient selection and formulation rationale.

•    Development, testing and risk planning.

•    Diagnosis of a formulation or manufacturing problem.

•    Review of an executed batch record or certificate of analysis containing errors.

•    CDMO audit case: grading observations and proposing CAPA.

•    Shop-floor scenario: responding to an unapproved change during production.

•    Manufacturer follow-up and delayed-project recovery.

•    AI-assisted research with verified sources.

•    Basic costing and concurrent-project prioritisation.

•    Discussion of a personally developed product and commercialisation outcomes.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

•    An updated CV.

•    A summary of two relevant development projects.

•    Categories and formats developed.

•    Individual contribution and technical challenges resolved.

•    Manufacturer coordination, testing and launch experience.

•    QA/QC, audit and manufacturing-site experience, including categories and types of audits conducted or supported.

•    Commercialisation stage achieved.

•    Current location, notice period and compensation expectations.

Confidentiality: Candidates must not disclose confidential formulations, batch records, audit reports or other proprietary documents of current or former employers or their clients in applications or assessments.