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.

At Saje Natural Wellness, we’re nature’s original farmacy, blending the superpower of plants so you can remedy real life, naturally. And like nature, we’re continually growing! As we continue to build our team, we’re 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, you’ll 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.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director, Research & Development is the scientific and formulation leader behind Saje’s 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 R+D 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 Saje’s culture and maintaining a positive environment for themselves and their peers.

• 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 Saje’s standards for purity, safety, and efficacy.

• 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 Saje’s natural standards.

• 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.

• Support the company’s 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.

• 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.

• Degree in Cosmetic Science,…