Director, R&D Optimization

Pharmavite
Los Angeles, CA

HELP US BRING THE GIFT OF HEALTH TO LIFE.


Working at Pharmavite is an experience like no other. With a focus on complete nutrition for all, each endeavor is urgent and every day counts. You'll have the opportunity to work on the #1 selling national vitamin and supplement brand, Nature Made, as well as an exciting portfolio of other products that are shaping the future of the healthy living industry. Consumer-driven innovation, high quality products and a promising portfolio, all driven by a team with a shared sense of purpose - that's Pharmavite. Join us to bring the gift of health to life.

This role is not available for any form of immigration sponsorship or support, including completion of the Form I-983 training plan required for STEM OPT.

Position Summary:

The Director, R&D Optimization , has responsibility for owning, identifying , sponsoring, and implementing the Company’s Business Transformation projects . This role will be the primary liaison with R esearch & Development teams and will maintain a close connection with the leadership teams across R&D , Analytical Services, Regulatory Affairs, and Innovation . Business Transformation projects include identifying and implementing product and process renovations, formula and specification optimization , regulatory projects, and other projects to capture value . To be successful, this individual must be knowledgeable and build expertise in our product development, scale-up, and manufacturing processes, product portfolio , nutritional supplement industry , and adjacent industries . This individual must be capable of utilizing a vari ety of communication strategie s to influenc e key stakeholders and drive results.

This person w ill lead and sponsor project teams to ensure best-in-class execution with cross-functional departments such as Business Transformation, Marketing, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Scientific A ffairs, Finance, R&D, Quality , and Operations.

Critical Success Factors:

  • Ability to think strategically and provide options or “what needs to be true” scenarios.

  • Ability to manage ambiguity and complexity, develop plans with alternatives, engage the right stakeholders to create project scope, establish targets , and execute with excellence to meet objectives .

  • E xcellent communication skills to varied audiences, high emotional intelligence & ability to influence and motivate across all levels.

  • Ability to make difficult decisions promptly while engaging the appropriate stakeholders .

  • Deep knowledge o f mature R&D processes , products, ingredients, and suppliers within the broader VMS industry .

Responsibilities:

  • Ownership of BT initiatives to ensure priorities and resources are aligned, that are feasible to achieve, and that results can be delivered as planned.
  • Acts as the R&D facing partner within Business Transformation; developing relationships to ensure priorities and resources are aligned across R&D, Procurement, Regulatory, Ops/Supply Chain, Innovation, Legal, and Finance teams to bring forward and vet relevant BT ideas.
  • Partners with the Senior Director , Business Transformation and Director PMO , and technical leaders to identify value opportunities , quantify the impact, and d eliver results.
  • Ensures up-to-date tracking, metrics , and communications for consumer and customer-facing teams are in place for BT projects, efforts , and initiatives.
  • Develop recommendations to ensure optimal enterprise approach for project implementation , and is a key advocate of best practices across the project portfolio, business processes , and product development through commercialization .
  • Responsible for setting scope and financial targets, ensuring the success ful execution of sponsored BT Projects, including delivering cost savings
  • Regularly engages R&D leadership to share updates on key BT initiatives , facilitate ideation , and celebrate wins.
  • Manages and continually improves the effectiveness of BT communication across all stakeholders.
  • Coaches project teams and e nsures BT projects are properly monitored and progressing as needed through the process.

Education:

  • Requires a four-year college or university degree.
  • An advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Experience:

  • Requires ten or more years of experience in one or more of the following roles : technical operations , manufacturing, process engineering, R&D, Quality, F inance , or related field .

  • Previous m anagerial and project management experience is highly preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  • Highly organized, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Communicate effectively (written, verbal, presentations) at all levels, from executives to functional subject matter experts.
  • Effectively collaborate across all functions by e stablish ing trust and credibility .
  • Manage by influence rather than authority.
  • Previous experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) preferred , willingness to learn AI required .
  • Ability to deal with ambiguity and operate in the grey, but with a desire to “bring order to chaos” and a bias for driving to decisions/ resolution.
  • Managerial courage and the ability to stand up to colleagues at any level for the overall benefit of the enterprise .
  • Conceptual thinker capable of creating and communicating a framework and organizational structure for the programs.
  • Capable of managing at the detailed execution level, but also of rising above and seeing the big picture.
  • Deep knowledge of the VMS industry and can leverage an external network to implement value-generating solutions.
  • Well-developed business acumen
  • Experience working in and navigating a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system.
  • Advanced meeting facilitation skills.
  • Understanding of development and scale-up processes across a variety of dosage forms .
  • Understanding of cGMP and FDA regulations and a passion for staying up to date on VMS/CPG industries.
  • Developed financial acumen , including the ability to independently estimate “size of prize ” .

Physical Requirements:

  • General office environment, ability to sit for long periods . Ability to move about an office.

Environment:

  • Moderate exposure to disagreeable elements.

Safety:

  • The incumbent must be able to perform this job safely in accordance with standard operating procedures and good manufacturing practices, without endangering their health or the safety of themselves or others.

Supervisory Responsibility:

No direct or indirect supervisory responsibility .



OUR OFFER


Here, career paths aren't predefined, and bureaucratic limitations don't exist - you have the opportunity to grow, learn from industry pioneers, and develop the way you want to. Pharmavite is investing more in the development of our team - to help us deliver on our purpose and help you achieve your career aspirations. Our environment is geared to fuel curiosity, encourage experimentation, and generate learning as this is the way we develop ourselves and our organization.


Pharmavite is committed to meeting the needs of our employees and their families with a Total Rewards package that's as comprehensive as the vitamins and supplements we deliver to consumers. With competitive compensation programs and standout benefits, we provide employees with optimal health and well-being - as well as peace of mind. These rewards - plus our new recognition program - ensure employees feel supported both at work and home.

National Target Base Pay Range: $169,000.00 - $281,000.00.

The salary range for this position is based on national standards. For candidates in California and the New York metro, the Target Base Pay Range is $187,000.00 - $311,000.00, to reflect the cost of living and market conditions in those areas.

Actual compensation will take into account a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic location, education, experience, qualifications, and job-related skills. It is not typical for an individual to be hired above the midpoint of the range for their role, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with state and local laws.

Base pay is only one component of our total rewards offerings, and we will take the full offering into consideration when presenting an offer of employment. Our total rewards package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, Medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401K match, and other wellness benefits.

Pharmavite provides compensation for all overtime hours worked by non-exempt (hourly) employees in accordance with state and federal law. The need to work overtime hours will be determined by management, based on customer and business necessity, to meet the needs of our business. Pharmavite may require employees to work overtime.

Visit Pharmavite.com/careers to learn more about our mission and discover an opportunity that's right for you. Health and wellness begins with us.

Pharmavite is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit employment discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, and any other basis protected by state and federal law. Pharmavite recruits, hires, employs, trains, promotes, and compensates individuals solely based on job-related qualifications and abilities.

Pharmavite also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation to complete the application process, please email [email protected] .



Disclaimer


The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of employees assigned to this job.

CALIFORNIA FAIR CHANCE ACT:

Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

JOB ALERT FRAUD:

We have become aware of scams from individuals, organizations, and internet sites claiming to represent Pharmavite in recruitment activities in return for disclosing financial information.

Our hiring process does not include text-based conversations or interviews and never requires payment or fees from job applicants. All of our career opportunities are regularly published and updated on Pharmavite.com’s Careers section.

If you have already provided your personal information, please report it to your local authorities. Any fraudulent activity should be reported to: [email protected] .

DISCLOSURE:

Any misrepresentations or false statements during the application process, including regarding U.S. work authorization and/or the need for immigration sponsorship or support, may result in the rejection of candidacy or the termination of employment.

Posted 2026-05-24

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