Director of Product Innovation

About the Role

This position is a key leadership role focused on driving innovation strategy and product development within the sports nutrition sector. The role is based onsite in New Brunswick, NJ, requiring attendance three days per week. It offers flexibility as a temporary-to-permanent, full-time, or contract engagement.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the entire product innovation pipeline from identifying market opportunities to launching new formulations, categories, and extended product lines that keep the business at the forefront of the industry.
• Develop and own a strategic 1-3 year product roadmap informed by consumer insights, competitor analysis, and emerging scientific trends.
• Apply rigorous prioritization to convert only the most promising ideas into viable products.
• Guide cross-functional R&D collaborations, managing internal formulation teams and contract manufacturing organizations to create clinically effective and compliant products.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in ingredient science, including novel actives, bioavailability techniques, combination strategies, and relevant regulatory updates such as FDA, NSF, and Informed Sport certifications.
• Ensure all products are backed by credible scientific evidence and comply with regulatory and consumer expectations.
• Collaborate extensively with Marketing, Sales, and Brand teams to develop compelling product messaging and successfully execute retail launches.
• Manage product introduction timelines, budgets, and market positioning to maximize commercial success.
• Own innovation briefs detailing target consumers, key benefits, claims, competitive positioning, and success metrics for every product.
• Act as the company's authority on competitive intelligence, monitoring brands, emerging direct-to-consumer players, functional foods, ingredient suppliers, and biotech initiatives.
• Engage actively in major industry events and maintain an influential network among formulators, key opinion leaders, and scientific advisors.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the innovation team while uniting departments such as R&D, Regulatory, Operations, Marketing, and Sales behind a shared innovation vision.
• Communicate innovation plans and progress clearly to senior leadership with confidence and precision.

Candidate Profile

• At least 8 years of experience in product development or innovation, including a minimum of 4 years in dietary supplements, sports nutrition, or functional food and beverage industries.
• Expertise in supplement formulation areas such as protein systems, pre-workouts, creatine, amino acids, adaptogens, cognitive enhancers, weight management, and recovery nutrition.
• Demonstrated success taking products from concept to market launch with tangible commercial outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory standards affecting dietary supplements including DSHEA, current Good Manufacturing Practices, and third-party certification schemes.
• Experience managing relationships with contract manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, and implementing cost efficiency initiatives.
• Consumer-centric thinking combined with scientific formulation skills and practical operational execution.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions, showing flexibility and focus on delivering measurable results rather than fixed attachment to ideas.
• Proven capability to flourish in fast-paced environments where rapid market entry is crucial.
• Established networks across the sports nutrition ecosystem, including engagement with athletes, coaches, researchers, retailers, distributors, and industry collaborators.
• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Exercise Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related discipline is required.
• Advanced degrees (MS, PhD, RD) preferred but experience is paramount.

Key Success Indicators for the First Year

• A clearly articulated and prioritized innovation roadmap spanning 18 months with organizational alignment.
• Two to three products launched or nearing commercialization, exhibiting strong market adoption potential.
• Enhanced relationships with CMOs and suppliers yielding better quality, faster delivery, and improved cost management.
• Increased clarity, agility, and accountability across cross-functional teams involved in innovation.
• Recognition as a trusted innovation leader delivering commercially viable, scientifically supported products that fortify the company's competitive edge.