Job Description

About Opella
Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally

Our mission is to bring health in people’s hands by making self-care as simple as it should be For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting.

At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world’s most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan.

B Corp certified in multiple markets, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet. Find out more about our mission at www.opella.com

Our team

The Formulation Development Scientist is a member of Compiegne Global Development Center, part of the Global Opella Science Hub.

In Compiegne Development Center we create oral products for global and local brands, through a fusion of internal and external technologies, that stand out in the market, and meet the diverse needs of our consumers. We foster a culture of collaboration, working closely with our internal stakeholders and tapping into a rich network of CDMOs.

About the Job

• Lead the formulation development process for OTC and food supplement projects, including new products, switches, line extensions, and business protection initiatives across the main brands within the Compiègne portfolio

• Contribute to building the development strategy for the projects assigned to Compiegne Development Center, mainly for internal development projects

• Ensure a strong scientific foundation to meet high regulatory, quality, and compliance requirements

• Guide technical activities throughout all phases of project development

• Provide information and support needed for budget and milestones definition

• Maintain up‑to‑date project status reporting for development projects

• Collaborate with Opella Development Centers network, including Product Research, Technology platform, and TRC. Interface and partnership with Science Hub and Manufacturing & Supply

• Apply the Agile method framework for projects under development, securing Development Center milestones deliveries, right resource allocation and budget tracking.

As Formulation Expert Scientist, the job incumbent is

• Deliver clear milestones at all project phases

• At early-stage program: virtual prototypes & mockup testing; Formulation Design & Small size prototyping non GMP; TPP and ideation sessions input

• At Feasibility stage program: Feasibility Plan definition; Formulation design; API & RM sourcing definition, Cleaning ingredients assessment, Specification assessment, Manufacturing process design, Preliminary stability batches, Formula validation, Feasibility report

• Responsible to ensure the use of QbD tools: DoE, FMEA, QTPP

• Product Development strategy: Manufacturing process design; Scale up process ; clinical batches manufacturing, manufacturing of submission batches & ICH Stability; Development report

• Technical Transfer to the manufacturing site

• M&S transfer & Launch support

Main responsibilities

• Lead and execute formulation development phases

• Lead pharma status projects, from mid-high complexity, and at different stage gates

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality development technical dossiers, that will apply for multiple markets and regulatory agencies

• Build together with Performance group the development plan milestones and project updates on time

• Connect and engage with Science Hub and Growth Hub category teams to ideate and co-create the pipeline for drug projects. Lead prototyping activities at the DC for pipeline enhancement

• Scouting of new technologies and new ingredients, as needed

• Represent Compiègne Development Center at global project teams

• Seek simplification where needed

• Ensure HSE and Quality policies are in place at all phases

About You

Education

• Master's degree or Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry or Life Sciences

Experience

• +5 years of relevant experience in Pharma industries, with relevant experience in formulation development, Innovation process and transfer to industrial sites

• Experience in working with transversal teams and with different initiatives

Language

• Fluent English communication skills, verbal and written

• French is a nice-to-have

Technical skills

• Relevant experience in formulation development, Innovation process and transfer to industrial sites

• Knowledge on regulatory environment of drug products, especially OTC

• Knowledge of Agile methods

• Skilled on facilitation, situational awareness, continuous improvement, empowerment and increasing transparency

Soft skills

• Leadership, communication, problem‑solving, transversal collaboration, and proactivity — able to influence, mobilize, and drive teams across functions with clarity and purpose.

• Hands‑on mindset, combining strategic vision with operational execution.

• Strong ability to lead complex projects in a highly cross‑functional and multicultural environment, ensuring alignment and delivery.

• Excellent communicator, skilled in engaging effectively with external stakeholders, senior management, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to drive new Way of Working in a complex environment and to challenge the status quo to foster innovation and continuous improvement.