Director, Non-Sterile Formulation Development

Location: Hybrid - Houston, Texas, United States

Posted: May 15, 2025

Job Type: Full Time

Req# 4419

Research and Development

Company Overview

Empower is a visionary healthcare company committed to providing quality, affordable medication to millions of patients across the nation. We hold the distinguished position of being the largest 503A compounding pharmacy and FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facility in the country serving the functional medicine markets.

What sets us apart is our relentless focus on four core values: People, Quality, Service and Innovation. Our dedicated team of professionals collaboratively works to break new ground in the fields of manufacturing, distribution and quality control, providing a uniquely integrated approach to healthcare. Leveraging our vertical integration of the pharmaceutical supply chain, state-of-the-art technology, and a commitment to excellence, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in medication accessibility and affordability.

You're not just starting a job; you're joining a mission. We believe in empowering our team to innovate, grow, and drive real change in the healthcare industry. If you're a forward-thinker who thrives in a fast-paced, transformative environment, Empower is the place for you. Here, you’ll be encouraged to share your ideas, expand your skill set, and contribute to projects that genuinely make a difference. We prioritize the well-being of our team members, and we offer a supportive and engaging workplace where your contributions are not just recognized but celebrated.

Let’s revolutionize healthcare, together. Join us and be a part of something extraordinary.

Position Summary

The Director of Formulation Development – Non-Sterile is a strategic leader responsible for bringing innovative, high-quality non-sterile pharmaceutical products to life at Empower Pharmacy. This role plays a key part in developing medications that enhance patients' quality of life, from oral solids to topicals, while supporting our mission to expand access to affordable medication. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools, the role advances formulation optimization, predictive modeling, and accelerated development—all while strengthening Empower’s commitment to scientific rigor and accessible health solutions.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Leads the end-to-end development and scale-up of non-sterile pharmaceutical dosage forms including oral liquids, tablets, capsules, thin films, and topicals (semi-solid).
• Develops robust formulations that achieve targeted beyond-use dates and writes/reviews product development reports that meet regulatory standards.
• Establishes scalable, cost-effective formulation and process development strategies while ensuring compliance with United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
• Utilizes AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze excipient interactions, forecast shelf-life trends, and guide efficient design of experiments during formulation development.
• Leads a high-impact team of formulation scientists and technicians, partnering with Regulatory Affairs and Quality to ensure robust technical documentation and regulatory alignment from bench to manufacturing scale-up, while managing external collaborations.
  
  

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to remain in a stationary position for a significant amount of the workday and frequently use their hands and fingers to handle or feel in order to access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee is regularly required to move about the office and around the corporate campus. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

Knowledge And Skills

• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to inspire innovation and ensure regulatory compliance across multidisciplinary teams.
• Expertise in formulation design, process validation, analytical characterization of non-sterile dosage forms, and FDA, USP, and cGMP; experience in applying AI tools to streamline formulation design, reduce experimental burden, or improve process control; proficient in Microsoft Office tools and pharmaceutical development software.
  
  

Key Competencies

• Customer Focus: Ability to build strong customer relationships and deliver customer centric solutions.
• Optimizes Work Processes: Know the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborates: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Resourcefulness: Secures and deploys resources effectively and efficiently.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quality, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments and objectives.
• Situational Adaptability: Adapts approach and demeanor in real time to match shifting demands of different situations.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
  
  

Values

• People: Our people define who we are as a company, and we believe that understanding and addressing the needs of our team, clients, and community is fundamental to fostering a culture of support and growth.
• Quality: Quality stands at the core of our mission, reflecting our commitment to excellence in every medication we produce.
• Service: We are here to serve others. Every interaction with our patients, providers, employees and other stakeholders comes from a place of service.
• Innovation: By continuously exploring new methodologies and embracing technology, we ensure that every solution we offer is at the forefront of pharmaceutical care.
  
  

Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development, with a minimum of 5 years in non-sterile dosage form leadership roles.
• Requires a master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, or a related field; a Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Pharmacy is strongly preferred.
• Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional preferred; Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) membership or American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) membership strongly preferred.
  
  

Employee Benefits, Health, and Wellness

We offer comprehensive benefits to support your health, well-being, and future, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, 401(k) matching, wellness perks, IV therapy, and compounded medications. Learn more: https://careers.empowerpharmacy.com/benefits/