Director of Research & Development

Director of Research & Development
West Palm Beach, Florida | On-Site

ARC Group is seeking a Director of Research & Development (R&D) for our client in West Palm Beach, FL . This role will lead product development initiatives, driving innovation while overseeing scientific and technical strategies. Our client is committed to creating high-quality, science-based products that support healthcare professionals and their patients.

This is a full-time, on-site position (5 days per week) , central to advancing the product pipeline and ensuring regulatory and quality compliance within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Our client offers competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and strong work-life balance . Please note, candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship. ARC Group does not accept submissions from third-party recruiting firms (no C2C, bench, or 3rd party recruiters).
Job Summary – Director of Research & Development
The Director of R&D will lead product development efforts and provide scientific leadership across Innovation, Marketing, and Regulatory functions, reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations. This role is responsible for guiding new product development from concept through commercialization, serving as a strategic liaison with external partners, and supporting clinical initiatives that demonstrate product efficacy.

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, adaptable, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. They will bring a strong background in dietary supplements, herbal formulations, and/or natural health R&D, along with deep expertise in cGMP standards, FDA/FTC dietary supplement regulations, and claims substantiation.

• Strategic Product Innovation: Identify, evaluate, and commercialize new products across multiple health categories by translating market, practitioner, and consumer insights into actionable opportunities that strengthen the brand portfolio.
• Project Oversight & Reporting: Lead projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring timelines, budgets, and milestones are met. Provide documentation, progress reports, risk assessments, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Scientific Communication & Education : Oversee the creation and review of scientific content, including product labels, white papers, and educational materials, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with brand strategy.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & External Partnerships: Collaborate with internal Innovation, Marketing, Regulatory, and Operations teams while serving as the primary technical liaison with formulation partners, raw material suppliers, and co-manufacturers. Support clinical initiatives by working with research partners to review protocols, monitor progress, and interpret findings. (Note: The company does not maintain on-site laboratories; all formulation and analytical work is conducted externally.)
• Market & Ingredient Scouting : Represent the company at trade shows and industry events to identify emerging technologies, novel ingredients, and market trends that fuel innovation.

Requirements – Director of Research & Development

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or engineering discipline (e.g., Chemistry, Microbiology, Nutritional Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences); advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in R&D product development, technical transfer, or regulatory science, with leadership roles in the dietary supplement, herbal medicine, or natural products industry.
• In-depth knowledge of dietary supplement regulations (cGMP, DSHEA, FDA, FTC) and expertise in product claims evaluation and substantiation.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and serving as a bridge between technical experts, executives, and external partners.
• Experience supporting clinical trials or research studies, including protocol review, data analysis, and reporting.
• Proven track record of managing projects from concept through commercialization, with multiple successful product launches.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into clear, compelling messages.
• Familiarity with quality systems and compliance requirements in a cGMP-regulated environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel up to 40% to visit suppliers, co-manufacturers, research partners, and attend industry trade shows.