Director of R&D

Welcome to Apothékary™ , where Nature is Medicine™. We harness the intelligence of nature by creating clean, effective herbal remedies that target the root cause of health imbalances like helping to ease stress, support the gut, strengthen immunity, boost energy, and sharpen mental focus. Our herbal formulas feature traditional herbs from several medicinal modalities including Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Japanese Kampo, and Western herbalism. We believe in getting to the root cause of health issues and herbs can be a great place to start your journey and promote wellness for the long-term. 

We were founded in early 2019 by Shizu Okusa, a serial entrepreneur in the wellness industry and named E&Y’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2021. After leaving an intense finance career, she became inspired to live a more balanced lifestyle and revisit her Japanese roots and passion for herbal medicine. Shizu set out to help others regain their holistic health using traditions she grew up with and ones she learned along the way.

Why work with us?

1. You will get the chance to be an early team member at a fast-growth health & wellness startup disrupting the intersection of food and medicine – preventative healthcare rooted in herbal medicine
2. We are growing fast (100x growth in two years, over $16M in capital raised, and quadrupled the size of the team)
3. We’re a tight-knit, passionate team, where you'll learn a ton and have ownership over your responsibilities.
4. Work with a seasoned second-time founder and executive team

The role:

We are seeking a visionary Director of R&D with extensive expertise in herbal medicine to provide strategic leadership for our product innovation pipeline and regulatory compliance framework. This executive-level position will develop and execute our long-term R&D strategy, oversee all aspects of product development, and establish comprehensive regulatory systems that enable sustainable growth.

Reporting directly to the Head of Operations & New Product Development, this role serves as a key member of the leadership team and will guide critical decisions that impact product strategy, supply chain management, and regulatory positioning. The ideal candidate will combine deep scientific knowledge with business acumen and regulatory expertise to navigate complex industry landscapes while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality and efficacy.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Develop and execute the company's long-term R&D and innovation strategy, aligning with overall business objectives and growth targets
• Establish a robust innovation pipeline based on scientific research, consumer insights, and emerging industry trends
• Drive the identification of untapped market opportunities and new product categories that align with the company's vision
• Collaborate with the executive team on strategic planning, resource allocation, and long-term vision
• Lead Apothékary's product innovation committee to evaluate and prioritize new product concepts

R&D and Product Development Leadership

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing R&D department, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and continuous innovation
• Oversee the entire product development lifecycle from concept to commercialization
• Direct the research, formulation, and development of breakthrough products that set new industry standards
• Establish rigorous scientific SOPs and protocols for evaluating product efficacy and safety
• Design and implement a comprehensive clinical testing program to substantiate product claims
• Develop IP strategy to protect proprietary formulations and processing technologies
• Establish technical benchmarks and quality standards that exceed industry requirements

Manufacturing & Supply Chain Excellence

• Develop strategic co-manufacturing partnerships and establish robust quality management systems across all co-manufacturers
• Lead contract negotiations with co-manufacturing partners to optimize costs while maintaining quality standards
• Partner with co-manufacturers to create scalable manufacturing processes that preserve the integrity and efficacy of herbal ingredients
• Implement advanced analytical testing methods to ensure product consistency and safety
• Partner with co-manufacturers to develop long-term sourcing strategy for sustainable, high-quality herbal ingredients
• Direct supply chain initiatives to improve traceability, sustainability, and ethical sourcing

Regulatory Leadership & Compliance

• Develop and lead implementation of comprehensive regulatory strategy across all markets
• Establish regulatory systems and protocols to ensure full compliance with FDA, FTC, USDA, DSHEA, and international regulations
• Direct the development of substantiation dossiers for all product claims
• Lead interactions with regulatory agencies and represent the company in industry regulatory forums
• Anticipate regulatory changes and proactively position the company to address emerging requirements
• Oversee certification programs (organic, non-GMO, GFCO) and develop strategy for new certifications
• Develop risk assessment and mitigation strategies for regulatory challenges

Cross-Functional Executive Leadership

• Partner with Marketing and Commercial teams to develop science-backed positioning and educational content
• Collaborate with the executive team on strategic planning, resource allocation, and long-term vision
• Advise the CEO and Executive team on scientific developments, regulatory landscape, and innovation opportunities
• Lead cross-functional innovation teams to accelerate product development and market entry
• Develop KPIs and metrics to evaluate R&D effectiveness and regulatory compliance
• Present quarterly reports to the Board on R&D pipeline, regulatory status, and innovation metrics

Ideal candidate:

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Herbal Science/Medicine, Botany, Pharmacognosy, or a related certification in herbalism, nutrition, or other alternative health modalities
• Minimum 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in R&D and regulatory roles within the natural products, dietary supplements, or functional food industries
• Extensive knowledge of FDA regulations, cGMP compliance, and international regulatory frameworks for dietary supplements
• Proven track record of successful product development from concept to commercialization
• Strategic leadership experience with demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams
• Strong business acumen with experience in P&L management and budget oversight
• Experience navigating regulatory challenges in the dietary supplement industry
• Exceptional communication skills with ability to translate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences
• Strong analytical abilities and data-driven decision-making approach
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with external partners including brand partners, co-manufacturers and vendor relations
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, timeline-focused team environment
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suite or related software

Bonus points:

• Registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild
• Certification in Regulatory Affairs (RAC)
• Executive leadership experience at a high-growth consumer health company
• Experience leading successful FDA/FTC interactions
• International regulatory experience in natural product categories
• Track record of successful innovation in the wellness industry
• Entrepreneurial mindset

Time and Location:

The role is full-time and fully remote. For this position you must be available during a portion of our core hours between 9am - 5pm ET with some flexibility depending on your preference/time zone. While some flexibility will be allowed, this role will work closely in collaboration with our Head of Operations and other team members who work primarily during those hours.

This position is available to start immediately. Note that job responsibilities may change based on the company’s evolving needs.

Apothékary is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared mission. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.    

Compensation:

• Full-time (40 hours per week)
• Salary range: $130,000 - $150,000 annually
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision plans 
• Monthly paid Mental Health Days in addition to PTO
• Monthly Apothékary product stipend