VP of Formulation Science – Pain/Nicotine/Hormone Patches | St. Louis, MO

Are you a scientific leader with deep expertise in transdermal drug delivery systems? We are seeking a Vice President of Formulation Science to lead the R&D and product development efforts for a cutting-edge pharmaceutical company specializing in pain, nicotine, and hormone patches. Based in St. Louis, MO, this is a pivotal role for a visionary scientist with a passion for innovation, regulatory excellence, and team leadership. If you thrive in a fast-paced, research-driven environment and have a proven track record in patch formulation, this opportunity is for you.

Drive Transdermal Product Innovation in St. Louis

A leading pharmaceutical organization in St. Louis, MO is looking for a Vice President of Formulation Science to oversee formulation development, scale-up, and commercialization of transdermal patches for pain management, smoking cessation, and hormone therapy. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical knowledge in drug delivery systems, a strong regulatory understanding (FDA/ICH), and the ability to lead cross-functional R&D teams. If you’re ready to transform patient outcomes through innovative patch technology, this is your chance to lead from the forefront of pharmaceutical science.

Key Responsibilities of the Vice President of Formulation Science – Pain/Nicotine/Hormone Patches

Formulation Strategy & Innovation:
Lead the development and optimization of advanced transdermal drug delivery systems. Design innovative formulations for pain relief, nicotine replacement, and hormone therapy patches, ensuring product efficacy, safety, and stability.

Research & Development Leadership:
Oversee the R&D lifecycle from concept through commercialization. Guide formulation scientists and analytical teams in executing robust research methodologies, product testing, and data-driven decision-making.

Regulatory & Quality Compliance:
Ensure all product formulations meet regulatory standards (FDA, ICH, cGMP). Collaborate with regulatory affairs to support submissions, audits, and compliance with evolving industry requirements.

Scale-Up & Manufacturing Support:
Partner with manufacturing and process engineering teams to scale formulations from lab to pilot to full production. Optimize formulation processes for reproducibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with clinical, quality, marketing, and commercial teams to align formulation development with product strategy, market needs, and patient outcomes. Serve as the scientific voice during cross-functional meetings and product planning.

Technical Expertise & Problem Solving:
Serve as the subject matter expert in transdermal technologies, excipient compatibility, drug permeation, and patch performance. Troubleshoot formulation and process challenges with creative, science-backed solutions.

Talent Development & Team Building:
Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of formulation scientists, technicians, and support staff. Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Portfolio & Pipeline Management:
Manage the formulation science portfolio, prioritizing projects based on strategic goals, technical feasibility, and commercial potential. Ensure timely progress and effective resource allocation across multiple development programs.

External Partnerships & Vendor Oversight:
Establish and manage relationships with CROs, CMOs, raw material suppliers, and academic collaborators to support R&D activities and accelerate development timelines.

Intellectual Property & Scientific Communication:
Support IP strategy by identifying opportunities for patent protection. Represent the company at scientific conferences, regulatory meetings, and industry forums to elevate its scientific credibility.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Vice President of Formulation Science, the client seeks a scientifically driven, strategic leader with deep expertise in transdermal drug delivery. You should be an accomplished pharmaceutical executive who can drive formulation innovation, ensure regulatory excellence, and lead a high-performance R&D team. The ideal candidate is passionate about advancing therapies in pain, nicotine, and hormone management through innovative patch technologies.

Deep Expertise in Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems
The client is looking for a leader with a strong technical foundation in formulation science, particularly in developing and optimizing transdermal patches. A track record of successful product development across pain relief, nicotine replacement, or hormone therapy is essential. Experience with permeation enhancers, excipient compatibility, and release kinetics will be highly valued.

Innovative Thinker and Scientific Strategist
You should have a proven ability to translate complex scientific concepts into practical, commercially viable products. The client values individuals who are intellectually curious and forward-thinking—able to lead innovation initiatives, evaluate new technologies, and strategically position the organization’s product pipeline for long-term success.

Strong Regulatory and Quality Compliance Background
A comprehensive understanding of FDA, ICH, and cGMP guidelines is critical. You must have experience supporting regulatory submissions and leading teams through audits and inspections. The ability to design compliant formulation strategies that meet global regulatory requirements is key to success in this role.

Leadership in R&D and Cross-Functional Collaboration
As a senior executive, you must demonstrate the ability to lead, mentor, and inspire multidisciplinary teams. The client is looking for someone who can foster collaboration between R&D, manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and marketing. Experience guiding cross-functional projects from concept through commercialization is essential.

Strong Project Management and Execution Skills
The ideal candidate will possess the ability to manage multiple development programs simultaneously while maintaining focus on timelines, budgets, and quality. Your ability to prioritize resources, solve technical challenges, and deliver high-quality results under pressure is crucial.

Track Record of Driving Product Commercialization
The client values professionals who have seen products through the full development cycle—from early-stage research to commercial launch. Experience in scaling formulations, supporting tech transfers, and working with CMOs or CROs is particularly important.

Excellent Communication and Scientific Presentation Skills
You must be able to clearly articulate scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. The ability to prepare technical documentation, support patent filings, and represent the company in regulatory or scientific forums will be a core part of your responsibilities.

Passion for Patient-Centric Innovation
Above all, the client seeks a VP who is passionate about improving patient outcomes through innovative science. If you are motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients through novel patch-based therapies, this role offers a powerful platform to lead change.

FAQs About the Role – VP of Formulation Science – Pain/Nicotine/Hormone Patches

1. What are the key responsibilities of the VP of Formulation Science?
As the VP of Formulation Science, you will lead the development of innovative transdermal drug delivery systems for pain management, nicotine cessation, and hormone therapy. Your responsibilities will include overseeing R&D activities, guiding formulation strategy, ensuring regulatory and quality compliance, managing a cross-functional scientific team, and supporting the scale-up of formulations into commercial production.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?
The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, or a related scientific field, along with significant experience (10+ years preferred) in formulation science, specifically with transdermal patch technologies. A deep understanding of FDA regulations, cGMP practices, excipient compatibility, and drug delivery systems is essential. Proven leadership experience in managing R&D teams and taking products from development to market is highly desirable.

3. What scientific and technical skills are essential for this role?
This role requires expertise in transdermal formulation design, drug permeation science, excipient and adhesive selection, stability testing, and bioavailability enhancement. Proficiency in analytical characterization methods, regulatory documentation, and formulation troubleshooting is also key. Familiarity with pilot plant operations and commercial-scale manufacturing processes is a plus.

4. What challenges can I expect in this role?
You may face challenges such as navigating complex regulatory environments, ensuring consistency during scale-up, overcoming technical hurdles in drug absorption and stability, and managing tight development timelines. Balancing innovation with manufacturability and working cross-functionally with regulatory, quality, and production teams will also require strategic coordination.

5. How will this role impact the company’s product pipeline and growth?
As a senior scientific leader, your contributions will directly influence the speed, quality, and success of the company’s transdermal product pipeline. Your expertise will drive the development of differentiated patch therapies that address unmet medical needs, helping the company expand its market footprint and bring high-impact products to patients faster.

6. What is the company’s culture and work environment like?
The organization fosters a collaborative, science-driven, and innovation-focused culture. You’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving patient outcomes through advanced drug delivery solutions. Scientific curiosity, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous learning are highly encouraged within the company’s dynamic and mission-driven environment.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Vice President of Formulation Science specializing in transdermal Pain, Nicotine, and Hormone Patch technologies in St. Louis, MO, you can expect a highly competitive compensation package that reflects your senior-level scientific expertise, leadership responsibilities, and impact on product innovation and commercialization. The total remuneration package generally includes:

1. Base Salary

The base salary for a VP of Formulation Science in the pharmaceutical and drug delivery sector typically ranges between $200,000 and $300,000 annually, depending on experience, scientific expertise, and company size. Senior candidates with deep technical knowledge in transdermal delivery systems may command higher starting salaries.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses

Incentive-based bonuses are tied to key performance metrics such as successful product development milestones, regulatory submissions, launch readiness, team leadership, and operational efficiency. Annual bonuses typically range from 20% to 40% of base salary, based on both individual and organizational performance.

3. Equity and Stock Options

For executive-level roles, many companies offer equity-based compensation, such as stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs), especially in high-growth or venture-backed environments. These long-term incentives are designed to align leadership with the company’s financial success and future valuation.

4. Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)

Some organizations provide additional LTIPs tied to multi-year performance and company milestones. These may include retention bonuses, milestone-based payouts, or profit-sharing opportunities linked to pipeline advancement and market impact.

5. Executive Benefits and Perks

You will also have access to a comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plan with company match or executive pension options
Life and disability insurance
Annual professional development or conference budgets
Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
Wellness and mental health support programs

6. Signing Bonuses and Relocation Assistance

To attract top talent, companies may offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance for candidates moving to St. Louis. These one-time incentives typically range from $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the candidate’s experience and company policy.

Total Compensation Potential

When factoring in all elements—base salary, bonuses, stock options, and benefits—total annual compensation for this VP-level role can range from $250,000 to $450,000 or more, particularly in companies with a strong focus on innovation and product pipeline development.

How to Apply

If you are an innovative scientific leader with deep expertise in transdermal drug delivery systems—particularly in Pain, Nicotine, or Hormone Patches—we invite you to apply for the Vice President of Formulation Science role based in St. Louis, MO. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape next-generation pharmaceutical products and lead breakthrough innovations in formulation science.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter highlighting your experience in:

Transdermal patch development and formulation
Regulatory strategy and GMP compliance
Leadership of cross-functional R&D teams
Product lifecycle management from lab to launch
Scientific innovation and commercialization of drug delivery technologies

We’re looking for a visionary leader who thrives at the intersection of science and strategy—someone who can drive both formulation excellence and organizational impact.

This is your opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization, collaborate with top-tier scientists, and play a critical role in advancing therapeutic technologies that make a difference.

Apply now to accelerate your leadership journey in pharmaceutical innovation!

For more information or to explore similar executive science roles, visit our Transdermal Patch Executive Search – Pain, Nicotine, Hormones page.

Job Category: Pain/Nicotine/Hormone Patches

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: St. Louis

VP of Formulation Science – Pain/Nicotine/Hormone Patches | St. Louis, MO