Overview

HydroScience Custom Formulations is seeking an experienced Dietary Supplement Formulator and Product Development Contractor to support the development of innovative human and pet supplement products.

This is a hands-on technical role focused primarily on Phase 1 formulation and pre-commercialization work. The contractor will develop manufacturer-ready formulas, prepare technical specifications and supporting documentation, evaluate ingredient and dosage considerations, and work directly with contract manufacturing organizations to confirm feasibility, pricing, minimum order quantities, ingredient availability, and production requirements.

The ideal candidate has direct dietary supplement formulation experience and understands how to translate a client concept into a commercially viable product. This role requires a practical understanding of formulation science, supplement manufacturing, regulatory requirements, ingredient sourcing, and the operational limitations involved in bringing products to market.

This is a contractor position with the potential for consistent, long-term project work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine dietary supplement formulas for powders, capsules, tablets, liquids, soft chews, gummies, and other delivery formats.
• Translate client concepts, ingredient requests, and product objectives into scientifically sound and commercially viable formulations.
• Prepare manufacturer-ready formula documents, including ingredient forms, target dosages, overages, processing considerations, and serving-size calculations.
• Develop Finished Product Specifications and other technical documentation required for manufacturing and commercialization.
• Prepare or review Supplement Facts and product composition information for accuracy and feasibility.
• Research ingredients, branded materials, clinical dosages, safety considerations, compatibility, stability, bioavailability, and regulatory status.
• Identify potential formulation challenges involving taste, solubility, texture, serving size, ingredient interactions, cost, or manufacturing limitations.
• Engage directly with contract manufacturers to request and evaluate pricing, minimum order quantities, lead times, ingredient availability, testing requirements, and production capabilities.
• Review manufacturer feedback and revise formulas as needed to address commercial or technical constraints.
• Compare manufacturing bids and provide clear recommendations regarding the most appropriate production partner.
• Communicate with ingredient suppliers to obtain specifications, technical data, samples, pricing, and supporting documentation.
• Collaborate with project management, quality, regulatory, design, and manufacturing teams throughout the development process.
• Maintain clear and organized project documentation, research files, formula revisions, and manufacturer communications.
• Provide practical recommendations that balance scientific quality, regulatory compliance, consumer appeal, cost, and manufacturability.
• Assist with troubleshooting during test batching, pilot production, scale-up, or initial manufacturing when needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in chemistry, biochemistry, food science, nutrition science, pharmaceutical science, chemical engineering, or a related technical field.
• Direct experience formulating dietary supplements, functional foods, nutraceuticals, pet supplements, or similar consumer health products.
• Strong understanding of dietary supplement ingredients, dosage forms, excipients, flavor systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience preparing technical formulation documents, Finished Product Specifications, Supplement Facts, or similar product-development documentation.
• Familiarity with FDA dietary supplement regulations and current Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Working knowledge of ingredient safety, regulatory status, claims considerations, and common quality-testing requirements.
• Experience communicating with contract manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, laboratories, and other external technical partners.
• Ability to evaluate formulas from both a scientific and commercial perspective.
• Strong research, technical writing, mathematical, and documentation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while communicating clearly with a remote, cross-functional team.

Preferred Experience

• Experience taking supplement products from initial concept through commercialization.
• Experience with multiple dosage formats, particularly powders, capsules, tablets, liquids, gummies, or pet supplements.
• Familiarity with branded ingredients and clinically substantiated dosage levels.
• Experience reviewing manufacturing quotations, cost-of-goods estimates, minimum order quantities, and production timelines.
• Knowledge of flavoring, sweetening, solubility, sensory optimization, and serving-size management.
• Experience supporting test batches, pilot batches, manufacturing scale-up, or production troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with claims substantiation, Certificates of Analysis, raw material specifications, and supplier qualification documents.

Contractor Expectations

This position is best suited for a professional who can independently manage assigned formulation projects while following HydroScience’s established development processes and documentation standards.

The contractor must be comfortable working directly with manufacturers and suppliers, identifying potential problems early, and developing realistic solutions when a client’s initial concept does not fully align with cost, ingredient availability, manufacturing capability, regulatory requirements, or minimum order quantities.

Candidates must be responsive, organized, dependable, and able to communicate technical information clearly to both scientific and non-technical stakeholders.

About HydroScience Custom Formulations

HydroScience Custom Formulations is a specialized product-development and consulting firm serving the human and pet dietary supplement industries. Our team supports clients through formulation, research, manufacturing coordination, quality, regulatory compliance, packaging, and commercialization.

We work on technically complex and differentiated products and are known for developing high-efficacy formulations while maintaining a practical focus on manufacturability, compliance, cost, and successful market execution.

Position Details

• Job Type: Independent Contractor
• Location: Remote
• Schedule: Project-based, with the potential for ongoing weekly work
• Compensation: Commensurate with experience
• Industry: Dietary Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Pet Supplements

Application Requirements

Please submit a résumé and a brief description of your direct dietary supplement formulation experience.

Applicants should also identify:

• The supplement formats they have formulated.
• Their experience preparing Finished Product Specifications or similar technical documents.
• Their experience working directly with contract manufacturers.
• Examples of products they have helped move from formulation through commercialization.

Join HydroScience Custom Formulations and help transform innovative health-product concepts into scientifically credible, commercially viable, and manufacturer-ready products.

Pay: $50.00 - $75.00 per hour

Work Location: Remote