Gummi World

End-to-end nutraceutical contract manufacturer for gummies

Product Development Scientist - Multiple Teams

Process EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeChandler, AZ, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from a four-year accredited institution in Food Science, Biology, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.
At least five years of experience in R&D, Product Development, Manufacturing, and/or Quality Assurance within the confectionery, food, and/or supplement industry.
Hands-on knowledge of confectionery formulation, including required experience with starch and starchless gummies; experience with marshmallows and other confectionery formats such as chews, jellies, and pastilles is strongly preferred, while capsules and powders are a plus.
A proven track record developing clean-label products at commercial scale.
Demonstrated experience leading or building a product development function, mentoring team members, and establishing scalable processes.
Strong customer-facing experience presenting to clients, understanding their needs, and translating those needs into technical solutions.
Strong analytical, written, and organizational skills, including the ability to manage complex technical information and multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
Understanding of ingredient functionality, product evaluation, health and nutrition, food manufacturing processes, microbiology, and quality assurance principles.
A hands-on, solutions-oriented approach and willingness to work in the lab, on the production floor, and with clients as needed.
Full-time, in-person availability at the Chandler, Arizona facility.
Willingness to travel as required for client visits, supplier meetings, or contract manufacturer evaluations.

Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end product innovation process, from concept development through formulation, testing, and commercialization.
Lead formulation and development of starch and starchless gummies, marshmallows, and other confectionery formats, ensuring products are delicious, safe, and consistently manufacturable at scale.
Run trials and troubleshoot batches in the lab and on the production floor, working directly with R&D and manufacturing teams to solve real-time problems.
Serve as a primary technical and strategic point of contact for clients, build trust-based relationships, and translate client needs into actionable development plans.
Lead product tastings and sensory evaluations, analyze and record results, and use them to guide formulation decisions.
Collaborate with Regulatory on formulations and claim substantiation to ensure compliance and marketability.
Maintain and build the branded ingredient and raw material database by researching ingredients based on their functional and physical properties.
Partner with Quality on new product specifications, change controls, and label initiation forms.
Scope and evaluate secondary contract manufacturers to match and scale existing formulations.
Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers and the purchasing team to stay current on ingredient, technology, and packaging trends.
Guide and mentor junior R&D and product development team members as the team scales.
Identify obstacles early and drive practical, timely resolutions throughout product development.
Represent the company's innovation capabilities in client and prospect meetings to build confidence and long-term partnerships.
Contribute to innovation, troubleshooting, and brainstorming for future platform growth in key consumer need-states.
Maintain professional and technical expertise through regulatory training, industry publications, professional networks, and relevant societies.
Support broader company growth initiatives as a strategic partner to Business Development and executive leadership.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with marshmallows and other confectionery formats, including chews, jellies, and pastilles.
Experience with capsules and powders.
An advanced degree.
Demonstrated technical sales experience with a wide range of clients.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Product Development Scientist is a hands-on leader who owns Gummi World's product innovation pipeline from concept through commercialization. This role leads the development of great-tasting, consistently manufacturable dietary supplement and confectionery nutraceutical products — starch and starchless gummies, marshmallows, and other confectionery formats, with capsules and powders a plus — while building the processes, partnerships, and team that will scale with the company. This is a highly visible, customer-facing role: the ideal candidate is as comfortable running a flavor tasting or troubleshooting a batch on the floor as they are presenting to a client or leading a cross-functional strategy meeting. Success requires strong technical depth, sound business judgment, and the emotional intelligence to build trust with clients, suppliers, and internal teams alike. Must have have three years experience in making gummies (starch and/or starchless etc.) no exceptions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Own the end-to-end product innovation process, from concept development through formulation, testing, and commercialization.
Lead formulation and development of starch and starchless gummies, marshmallows, and other confectionery formats (e.g., chews, jellies, pastilles), with capsules and powders a plus, ensuring products are delicious, safe, and consistently manufacturable at scale.
Be hands-on in the lab and on the production floor — running trials, troubleshooting batches, and working directly alongside R&D and manufacturing teams to solve real-time problems.
Serve as a primary technical and strategic point of contact for clients, building strong, trust-based relationships and clearly translating client needs into actionable development plans.
Lead product tastings and sensory evaluations, analyzing and recording results in a rigorous, data-driven manner to guide formulation decisions.
Collaborate closely with the Regulatory team on formulations and claim substantiation to ensure compliance and marketability.
Maintain and continuously build out the branded ingredient and raw material database, researching ingredients based on functional and physical properties.
Partner with Quality on new product specifications, change controls, and label initiation forms.
Scope and evaluate secondary contract manufacturers to match and scale existing formulations.
Forge and maintain relationships with key suppliers and the purchasing team to stay ahead of ingredient, technology, and packaging trends.
Guide and mentor junior R&D and product development team members as the team scales.
Bring a solutions-first, customer-facing mindset to every stage of development — identifying obstacles early and driving practical, timely resolutions.
Represent Gummi World's innovation capabilities in client and prospect meetings, building confidence and long-term partnerships.
Contribute to innovation, troubleshooting, and brainstorming for future platform growth in key consumer need-states.
Maintain professional and technical expertise through regulatory training, industry publications, professional networks, and relevant societies.
Support broader company growth initiatives, acting as a strategic partner to Business Development and executive leadership.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from a 4-year accredited institution in Food Science, Biology, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
5+ years of experience in R&D, Product Development, Manufacturing, and/or Quality Assurance within the confectionery/food and/or supplement industry.
Hands-on knowledge of confectionery formulation — starch and starchless gummies required; marshmallows and other confectionery formats (e.g., chews, jellies, pastilles) strongly preferred; capsules and powders a plus — with a proven track record developing clean-label, delicious products at commercial scale.
Demonstrated experience leading or building a product development function, including mentoring team members and establishing scalable processes.
Strong, demonstrated customer-facing experience — comfortable presenting to clients, understanding their needs, and translating those needs into technical solutions.
High emotional intelligence with excellent interpersonal skills; able to build trust quickly with clients, suppliers, manufacturers, and internal teams.
Strong analytical, written, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex technical information and multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
Industry-leading understanding of ingredient functionality, product evaluation, health and nutrition, food manufacturing processes, microbiology, and quality assurance principles.
Demonstrated technical sales experience with a wide range of clients preferred.
A genuinely hands-on, solutions-oriented approach — willing to be in the lab, on the floor, and in front of the client as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Full-time, in-person role based at Gummi World's Chandler, AZ facility.
Regular time split between lab/R&D space, production floor, and office/administrative work.
Frequent client-facing interactions, including in-person meetings, tastings, and presentations.
Some travel may be required to support client visits, supplier meetings, or contract manufacturer evaluations.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Gummi World's product pipeline consistently delivers delicious, high-quality, and commercially scalable formulations.
Clients see this role as a trusted technical partner who understands their needs and delivers on them.
Cross-functional teams — Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing, and Business Development — view this role as a collaborative, solutions-first leader.
New products move efficiently from concept to commercialization with minimal rework or delay.
The product development function matures and scales as Gummi World grows, with clear processes and a strengthening team.
Relocation offered.

About the Company

Gummi World

End-to-end nutraceutical contract manufacturer for gummies

Gummi World provides end-to-end contract manufacturing for nutraceuticals, specializing in gummies and capsules. It offers custom formulation, private labeling, manufacturing, packaging, and regulatory compliance under one roof through a vertically integrated Chandler, Arizona facility. The company differentiates itself with a broad set of certifications (NSF cGMP, NSF Certified for Sport, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified) and a focus on fast, high-volume production within the Intiva Health ecosystem. Its goal is to be a strategic partner for brands looking to launch new products or expand existing lines quickly with compliant, high-quality manufacturing.

Company size: 11-50
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Chandler, AZ
Founded: 2019

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