Director, Research and Development

We welcome interested candidates globally to apply providing you are open to relocation. We require this role to be Vancouver based as you must be in the lab at least 3 days a week.

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 CEO the Director Research & Development is the scientific and formulation leader behind Sajes plant-powered product portfolio. This role oversees the development and optimization of formulas leads technical testing and evaluation and provides scientific stewardship for the brand. This role leads the RD Team who blend rigorous formulation through the lens of innovation performance and safety ensuring our products deliver on our promise to remedy real life.

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

What youll do:

Formulation & Technical Leadership

• Lead the formulation of essential-oil blends botanically driven personal care products and innovative natural delivery systems.
• Oversee R&D lab operations prototype development stability testing compatibility studies and performance evaluations.
• Maintain deep expertise in natural ingredients essential oil chemistry emulsions surfactants natural preservatives and green chemistry.
• Troubleshoot formulation challenges and continuously improve existing products.
• Ensure formulas uphold Sajes standards for purity safety and efficacy.

Strategic Innovation & Product Pipeline

• Collaborate with the Innovation team to evaluate product concepts for technical feasibility performance potential ingredient availability and margin impact.
• Provide scientific guidance that helps shape innovation decisions. Participate in early-stage ideation by offering technical insights into essential oils botanicals and emerging natural technologies.
• Work with Innovation to ensure product briefs are technically robust and aligned with Sajes natural standards.

Regulatory Safety & Quality Assurance

• Partner with Regulatory and QA teams to supply all required technical documentation formula details and ingredient data.
• Collaborate on safety assessments claims support testing plans and risk mitigation ensuring R&D output meets compliance expectations.
• Support QA during scale-up manufacturing transfer batch evaluation and post-launch monitoring.
• Uphold strong communication channels so product safety and quality are built into every stage of development.

Sustainability & Ingredient Stewardship

• Support the companys sustainability goals by exploring greener chemistry responsible sourcing and lower-impact formulation strategies.
• Maintain awareness of supply-chain realities for natural raw materials helping ensure responsible and reliable ingredient choices.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead and mentor the R&D team fostering a culture of scientific excellence curiosity and natural product innovation.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain Operations and external manufacturing partners during scale-up optimization and production trials.
• Build strong relationships with ingredient suppliers research partners testing labs and fragrance/essential-oil houses.
• Manage R&D budgets timelines lab resources and prioritization of technical work.
• Create a team environment where all Team Members consistently experience a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Wed love to hear from you if you have:

• Degree in Cosmetic Science Chemistry Biochemistry Pharmacognosy Chemical Engineering or related field (MS/PhD preferred).
• 8 years of R&D experience in personal care including leadership experience.
• Understanding the Canadian NHP / USA OTC landscape with the knowledge of how to formulate innovation within this framework to maximize performance and consumer satisfaction.
• Proven expertise in natural chemistry essential oils botanicals and clean formulation principles.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience working with Innovation Regulatory and Quality teams.
• Ability to balance scientific rigor with brand values sensory expectations and consumer experience.
• Clear communicator who thrives in a mission-driven fast-paced cross-functional environment.

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 $130000 - 160000 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.