Innovation Manager

WHO ARE WE?

We are the VMS Co-Op, a group of fast growing companies in the Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) space. The VMS Co-Op includes OLLY, SmartyPants and future acquisitions to come! This position's home company is OLLY.​

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Reporting to the Director of Innovation of VMS, you will have the opportunity in supporting shape the VMS-Co-Op pipeline. As an Innovation Manager, you will play a critical role in leading and supporting the development of new products across the OLLY and SmartyPants brands. This role requires a strong technical foundation in dietary supplements, a passion for innovation, and the ability to drive projects from the exploratory phase through early-stage development with minimal oversight. You excel at hands-on work in a development kitchen setting with little to no oversight and think in disruptive ways to solve problems. You work in a fast-paced and agile manner to ensure efficiency and accuracy. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Formulation & Benchtop Development 

• Partner with Sourcing and Science teams to identify, evaluate, and select novel ingredients for new product initiatives. 

• Review and assess raw material documentation during ingredient exploration to ensure compliance and suitability. 

• Conduct benchtop evaluation of raw materials to assess organoleptic properties and identify potential formulation challenges. 

• Independently draft paper formula cards across various formats, including established (e.g., gummies) and emerging dosage formats. 

• Perform early-stage cost modeling to assess formulation cost viability to determine target cost-of-goods to align with financial assumptions. 

• Execute benchtop formulations and generate prototypes for internal evaluation. 

• Document technical findings and formulation learnings in detailed reports to support seamless handoffs to the Development team. 

Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Lead early-phase new product development (NPD) workstreams, ensuring alignment with project timelines, milestones, and strategic objectives. 

• Collaborate closely with Brand, Creative, Science, and Development teams to translate technical insights into data-driven decisions shaping the product concept. 

• Support or lead the exploration and development of new product formats and technologies. 

• Professionally engage with external partners—including development agencies, flavor houses, contract manufacturers and ingredient suppliers—to support NPD efforts and ensure technical alignment. 

Sensory & Innovation Insights 

• Conduct and document sensory evaluations (taste, texture, aroma) with cross-functional stakeholders, maintaining organized records of feedback and data. 

• Monitor and report on emerging ingredient, flavor, and format trends to inform pipeline innovation. 

Operational Excellence 

• Maintain accurate and compliant records, including formula cards and lab notebooks, in accordance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP). 

• Manage inventory of R&D ingredients, lab supplies, and prototype samples. 

• Oversee the organization and cleanliness of the Product Development kitchen and storage areas. 

• Coordinate sample shipments to internal and external stakeholders. 

 

CAPABILITIES + SKILLS REQUIRED  

• 5+ years of R&D experience in dietary supplements, food or pharma industry. Gummy and other confectionary experience strongly preferred  

• Bachelor's degree in food science, Chemistry, or related science field 

• Familiarity with FDA guidelines for dietary supplementation and regulatory processes  

• Familiarity with commercialization process of CPG and Pharma products with focus on gummies, capsules, probiotic formulations and confectionary goods 

• Comfortable working with kitchen tools and supplies and preparing confectionary, solid and/or non-solid dosage formats 

• Familiarity with lab equipment (pH meter, Brix Meter, analytical balance, etc.)  

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 

• Ability to perform medium physical work, stand for extended periods of time, and lift up to 50lbs occasionally  

• Working knowledge of vitamins and dietary supplement formulation, assessing stability data and risks, regulatory standings, and assessing clinical studies 

• Ability to execute daily routines and tasks with little to no physical supervision 

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with condensed timelines to deliver innovation quickly to meet consumer demands 

• An individual with a strong sense of determination, critical thinker as well as having a creative lens to solve problems in non-traditional ways 

• An individual who is can be “Tactfully Transparent” to raise concerns and early findings to help learn from mistakes  

• Not afraid to “Grab A Paddle” and help out! 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Initial video screen with a member of our Talent team
• Round 1: Conversation with the Hiring Manager + 1-2 conversations with other Ollies on the team
• Round 2: 2-3 conversations with team or cross functional Ollies
• Final Round: Homework*

*At OLLY, our final round is called Homework. Candidates who participate in this round are given 3 questions in advance to answer and present to the interview panel they previously spoke with in the process. We understand every candidate is different. If you need a reasonable accommodation to adjust this procedure, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can evaluate and provide other options that work for your needs

THE DETAILS 

​LOCATION: San Francisco, CA ​

HOURS: Full time, exempt (salary)

TRAVEL: 10% - 15% or as needed ​

MANAGER: Director of Innovation (VMS) 

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. 

The pay range for this position is $120,000 – 158,000 dependent on experience and location.

WHAT WE OFFER: 

• An opportunity to work with an intelligent, inspiring, and extraordinarily fun team 
• 100% employer-paid medical coverage for employee only, dental + ortho, and vision insurance 
• 4 weeks PTO + paid holidays + 12 Mental Health Days per year
• 100% Paid parental leave, Fertility + Adoption Benefits 
• Annual Bonus  
• 401(k) plan with Employer Match 
• Hybrid Work + Wellness + Cell Phone Stipends 
• Free product 
• And much more!