Apprentice Leader – CPG R&D

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Overview

Apprentice Leader Life Sciences

You will lead client engagements that reimagine R&D workflows through data science, structured problem solving, and digital transformation. Your work will focus on upstream innovationfrom concept to lab validationwithout overlapping with manufacturing or supply chain execution. The role demands strategic thinking, hands-on problem scoping, cross-functional fluency (esp. R&D, Packaging, Regulatory, and Marketing), and capability-building across global teams.

Your Responsibilities

• Translate ambiguous innovation and formulation challenges into structured problem statements and hypothesis-driven experimentation plans
• Drive engagements across formulation design, ingredient substitution, performance testing, and claims validationaligned to business goals
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders from R&D, Packaging, Regulatory, Procurement, and Consumer Insights to ensure data-enabled decision making across the product innovation pipeline
• Leverage lab test outputs, sensory feedback, and BOM insights to optimize formulations while ensuring feasibility and claim substantiation
• Lead the design of reusable analytics assets (e.g., Formulation Intelligence Platforms, Claims Testing Dashboards, Ingredient Screening Tools)
• Promote a culture of scientific experimentation using Design of Experiments (DoE), A/B testing, and scenario modeling for formulation optimization
• Build analytical stories and executive dashboards (using Power BI/Tableau) that translate lab results and R&D metrics into actionable business insights
• Guide a team of Decision Scientists across delivery sprints, technical skill-building, and solution packaging aligned to R&D use cases
• Represent the Client in Innovation Steering Committees, Claims Review Boards, and cross-functional workshops with client stakeholders
• Support internal talent acquisition efforts by shaping domain-specific role definitions and identifying high-quality candidate pipelines

Domain Expertise

at least one

Formulation Science & Product Innovation

• Experience managing pre-commercial product developmentideation, formulation screening, prototype development, and lab-scale validation
• Proficiency in emulsion design, rheology, encapsulation, pH stability, and compatibility testing (e.g., interactions with packaging, ingredient stability)
• Strong command over BOM structures and how changes to inputs affect regulatory compliance, formulation complexity, or innovation timelines
• Familiarity with PLM systems, formulation repositories, and structured formulation briefs; capable of building analytics around them
• Experience in reformulation and ingredient substitution based on consumer demands (e.g., vegan, clean label, paraben-free) or regulatory needs

Claims Testing & Sensory Science

• Familiarity with claim substantiation protocols: mapping formulation metrics to benefit claims such as long-lasting, whitening, sugar-free, etc.
• Understanding of test methods (instrumental, clinical, in-use), claims libraries, and regional variation in marketing approval processes
• Experience conducting or analyzing sensory evaluation (e.g., triangle tests, preference mapping) and linking results to product decisions
• Ability to collaborate with marketing and legal teams to frame claimable propositions supported by robust R&D evidence

R&D Analytics & Innovation Planning

• Expertise in tools like Python, R, or SQL to support clustering, optimization, or modeling within the R&D innovation lifecycle
• Ability to integrate diverse data sourcesstability studies, lab notebooks, sensory scores, BOMsinto unified innovation dashboards
• Strong visual storytelling ability using Power BI/Tableau to enable decision-making across the R&D organization
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance nuances (e.g., FDA, AAFCO, EU Cosmetics) as they pertain to R&D decision support

Preferred Profile

• Masters degree in Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, Industrial Chemistry, or relevant applied sciences
• 610 years of experience working with the R&D or Innovation function of CPG companies or consulting for them
• Prior experience in digital R&D, formulation informatics, or supporting lab-to-launch journeys via analytics and structured frameworks
• Familiarity with tools like Siemens Teamcenter, SAP PLM, or Windchill for R&D documentation and formulation lifecycle
• Knowledge of SAP ECC or APO is a good-to-haveespecially for mapping R&D entities like BOMs or specs to enterprise systems
• Certifications in Design of Experiments, Six Sigma for R&D, or advanced data tools are a plus