Director of Product Innovation

THE OPPORTUNITY We don’t follow trends. We set them. Universal Nutrition has been a foundational name in sports nutrition for decades, and we’re not slowing down. We’re looking for a Director of Product Innovation who is equal parts scientist, strategist, and competitor — someone who wakes up thinking about what’s next before anyone else in the industry has their morning shake.

This is a seat at the table. You’ll shape the product roadmap that millions of athletes, bodybuilders, and performance-driven consumers rely on to train harder, recover faster, and push beyond their limits. If you’ve been waiting for the role where your instincts, expertise, and ambition can operate without a ceiling, this is it.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN Product Strategy & Pipeline Leadership Own the full innovation pipeline from white space identification through commercialization — new formulations, new categories, and line extensions that keep Universal ahead of the market. Define a 1–3 year product roadmap grounded in consumer insights, competitive intelligence, and emerging science.

Prioritize ruthlessly. Not every idea is a product. Know the difference. Formulation & Science Lead cross-functional R&D efforts with internal formulators and contract manufacturers (CMOs) to develop clinically-informed, efficacious products. Stay at the cutting edge of ingredient science — novel actives, bioavailability technologies, combination stacking strategies, and regulatory developments (FDA, NSF, Informed Sport).

Ensure all products substantiate claims with credible science and can withstand regulatory and consumer scrutiny. Go-to-Market Collaboration Partner closely with Marketing, Sales, and Brand to translate product concepts into compelling consumer stories and retail execution. Bring products to market on time, on budget, and positioned to win — not just launch.

Own the brief: define target consumer, key benefits, hero claims, competitive positioning, and success metrics for every innovation. Market Intelligence Be the internal authority on the competitive landscape — supplement brands, emerging DTC players, functional food crossovers, ingredient suppliers, and biotech disruptors.

Attend key industry events (Expo West, SupplySide, ISSN, etc.) and maintain an active network across formulators, KOLs, and scientific advisors. Team & Cross-Functional Leadership Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performance innovation team. Operate as a true cross-functional leader — aligning R&D, Regulatory, Operations, Marketing, and Sales around a shared innovation vision.

Present innovation strategy and pipeline updates to senior leadership and ownership with clarity and conviction. WHAT YOU BRING Non-Negotiables 8+ years of product development or innovation experience, with a minimum of 4 years in the dietary supplement, sports nutrition, or functional food/beverage industry. Deep knowledge of supplement formulation — protein systems, pre-workouts, creatine, amino acids, adaptogens, cognitive performance, weight management, and recovery nutrition.

Proven track record of launching successful SKUs — you’ve taken products from concept to shelf and can point to the results. Strong command of regulatory frameworks governing supplements (DSHEA, cGMP, third-party certification programs). Experience managing CMO relationships, ingredient supplier negotiations, and COG optimization.

The Edge We’re Looking For You think like a consumer, formulate like a scientist, and execute like an operator. You’re not precious about ideas — you’re relentless about outcomes. You have strong opinions about what makes a great product and the data and instincts to back them up. You’ve worked in a fast-moving environment where speed-to-market is a competitive advantage, not an afterthought.

Active network within the sports nutrition ecosystem — athletes, coaches, researchers, retailers, and distributors.

Education

Bachelor’s degree required in Food Science, Nutrition, Exercise Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related field. Advanced degree (MS, PhD, RD) strongly preferred but not a substitute for real-world execution experience. SUCCESS IN YEAR ONE LOOKS LIKE A clearly defined, prioritized 18-month innovation roadmap that the organization is aligned behind.

At least 2–3 new SKUs launched or in final development stages with strong commercial positioning. A tightened, more strategic CMO and supplier network that delivers better quality, cost, and speed. Cross-functional teams that operate with more clarity, speed, and shared accountability on innovation. You’ve established yourself as the internal and external authority on what Universal Nutrition stands for in product.

WHY UNIVERSAL NUTRITION Legacy brand, startup energy. Decades of equity in the market with the agility and urgency of a challenger brand. Real authority. This isn’t a role where innovation dies in committee. Your decisions move. Category breadth. From foundational staples to cutting-edge performance science — you’ll work across the full spectrum.

Athlete-first culture. We are the consumer. That drives everything we build. Competitive compensation. Base salary commensurate with experience + performance bonus + full benefits. Details provided during the interview process.