Kalon Executive Search for Nutraceuticals, CPG and Wellness · 2 weeks ago
Director of Product Development
United States
Full-time
Remote
Director/Executive
$200K/yr - $200K/yr
7+ years expKalon Executive Search for Nutraceuticals, CPG and Wellness is seeking a Product Development Director for a fast-growing consumer nutrition brand specializing in premium, high-protein, low-sugar products. The role involves leading the full lifecycle of product development and guiding the strategic vision for innovation to shape the next generation of products.
Staffing & Recruiting
Responsibilities
Lead formulation development for all core product lines, with an emphasis on high-protein, low-sugar formats, and partner with the CEO on future category expansion
Oversee recipe ideation and R&D, including new flavor development, ingredient exploration, micronutrient balancing, texture and mouthfeel optimization, shelf-life/stability analysis, and sensory evaluation
Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Manufacturing, and Quality to ensure formulations scale efficiently and maintain consistency
Serve as the authoritative source for all nutrition and ingredient panels
Partner with Marketing and Go-to-Market teams to align innovation with brand vision, consumer insights, and category trends
Drive continuous improvement of existing product lines, including flavor enhancements, cost optimization, and nutritional refinements
Ensure compliance with all regulatory, labeling, and documentation requirements (FDA or relevant authorities)
Build and lead a small in-house R&D/food science function or manage external specialized partners
Set long-term innovation strategy by staying ahead of emerging nutrition science, ingredient technologies, and relevant market trends
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, or a related discipline
7–10+ years of hands-on experience in food product development, ideally in bars, high-protein, low-sugar, or functional food categories
Proven track record developing and commercializing high-protein, low-sugar, or alternative-sweetener products
Deep technical expertise in protein chemistry (whey, plant proteins, isolates), alternative sweeteners (sugar alcohols, polyols, fiber-based systems), ingredient interactions, texture optimization, shelf-life, sensory science, and regulatory compliance
Exceptional cross-functional collaborator with the ability to bridge R&D, operations, marketing, and commercial needs
Strategic thinker capable of developing a long-term product roadmap while balancing innovation, cost, scalability, and consumer experience
Leadership experience building and managing R&D teams or overseeing external technical partners while maintaining confidentiality and protecting IP
Passion for creating clean, enjoyable, emotionally resonant nutrition experiences — not just functional products
Preferred
This is a remote position- Miami, FL, Chicago, IL or Portland, OR Preferred
Benefits
Benefits
Equity incentives
Company
Kalon Executive Search for Nutraceuticals, CPG and Wellness
Kalon Executive Search and Recruitment is focused exclusively in the nutraceuticals and wellness industries.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Liesl Bernard
Chief Executive Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase