Research & Development Specialist

Please note: This is a hybrid position. We require this role to be Vancouver based as you must be onsite & in the lab at least 3 days a week.
Location: UnitPandora Street Vancouver BC V5L 0C7

Overview:

At Saje Natural Wellness were natures original farmacy blending the superpower of plants so you can remedy real life naturally. And like nature were continually growing! As we continue to build our team were seeking talented people to join us: in our stores support offices and distribution centres. We are a purpose-driven people-first organization where collaboration innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets thrive.

We look for individuals who have drive and warmth agility and passion and keep customer experience at the centre of everything they do.

At Saje youll connect with a dynamic community and make a positive impact. Join our team and grow your career alongside the most talented hard working and kind-hearted people out there.

The impact youll make:

Reporting to the R&D Manager/Formulation Manager the R&D Specialist plays a key role in coordinating and advancing product development across the R&D team. This role is ideal for someone with a background in product formulation or cosmetic science who can combine technical understanding with strong project management and organizational skills.

You will support the development and continuous improvement of natural cosmetic remedy and home care products by coordinating R&D projects from concept through commercialization. Working closely with formulation regulatory sourcing packaging and marketing teams you will manage timelines track deliverables organize testing and documentation and ensure projects move forward efficiently and meet launch deadlines.

This role requires someone who understands the R&D lifecycle holisticallyfrom raw materials to formulation to testing regulatory requirements and scale-upand can help the team stay organized focused and aligned across multiple concurrent projects.

All Saje Team Members are responsible for contributing to Sajes culture and maintaining a positive environment for themselves and their peers.

What youll do:

R&D Project Coordination

• Coordinate R&D product development projects from concept through launch ensuring milestones deliverables and timelines are clearly defined and tracked.
• Maintain project timelines and ensure cross-functional alignment between R&D regulatory sourcing packaging operations and marketing teams.
• Organize project documentation technical data and test results to ensure accessibility and traceability throughout the development process.
• Support the R&D team.

Formulation & Technical Support

• Assist in the formulation and reformulation of natural cosmetics remedies and home care products.
• Coordinate stability compatibility safety and performance testing for prototypes.
• Compile and maintain databases of test results formulation changes and product specifications.
• Initiate and maintain technical documentation including formulation records test protocols and product development summaries.

Ingredient & Material Management

• Request and coordinate raw material samples and packaging components for R&D testing.
• Review and organize technical documentation for new raw materials in alignment with the Saje Natural Standard.
• Support ingredient database maintenance and documentation in internal software systems.

Laboratory & Operational Coordination

• Manage logistics for laboratory activities including sample shipments for external testing (stability compatibility safety GCMS etc.).
• Organize and maintain retention samples and laboratory inventory.
• Manage purchase orders for lab materials and supplies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams to ensure R&D deliverables align with regulatory sourcing packaging and commercialization requirements.
• Support review of product artwork and technical details for accuracy and compliance.

Wed love to hear from you if you have:

• 24 years of experience in cosmetic personal care or natural product R&D including exposure to formulation and product development workflows.
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle from formulation through testing documentation and commercialization.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects timelines and multiple concurrent priorities within an R&D environment.
• Experience coordinating stability compatibility and safety testing is an asset.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and collaboration skills.
• Interest in natural sustainable and plant-based products.

Why Saje

Here at Saje we understand that joining a team is an important decision to make so we want to be sure youre supported to do your best work.

The compensation range on average for this position is from $ annually. Base pay is dependent on market location and mayvary depending on job-related knowledge skills experience and internal equity.

In addition to your base we offer:

• Annual bonus program
• A hybrid way of working
• Flexible work hours based on business needs
• Wellness days to ensure youre taking care of your mental and physical health
• Health benefits - comprehensive health vision and dental packages
• Paid sick days
• Generous product discount
• Full onboarding plan and onboarding buddy to help you settle in
• Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 support resources and information available to you and your family
• GRSP matching programs
• Paid time off to ensure youre resting & recharging
• Product training to help you learn about the benefits and efficacy of our 100% natural products to support your own wellness journey

Note: The incentive programs benefits and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs benefits and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

Join our team!

If this opportunity sounds like you please apply in the link below. Not sure youre 100% the right fit We encourage you to apply even if you dont have all of the listed qualifications. We offer a thorough onboarding experience to set you up for success learning and development support and help you to integrate seamlessly.

All applications are viewed by a member of our team and therefore we do not use AI as part of our screening & selection process. We do use AI to transcribe our preliminary screening calls with our recruitment team. This job posting is for an existing vacancy on our team that we are presently hiring for.

Saje provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants and we believe the best teams are made up of diverse perspectives and people. We offer reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and will work with you to ensure you are supported while working at Saje.