Botanical Ingredients Commercialization & Scale-Up Manager – Food, Pharma & Cosmetics

Botanical Ingredients Commercialization & Scale-Up Manager – Food, Pharma & Cosmetics

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Employment Type: Full-timeWorkplace: Hybrid / Technical & Customer-facingRegional Scope: UAE | Saudi Arabia | GCCPalomba General Trading LLC is seeking a Botanical Ingredients Commercialization & Scale-Up Manager to transform promising botanical ingredients and customer trials into commercially viable, repeatable industrial products for the Middle East.The role begins where early-stage product development ends.We are looking for someone capable of taking a botanical extract that performs well in a laboratory sample and answering the much harder question:Can we manufacture it consistently, document it correctly, deliver it economically and make it work at industrial scale for a GCC customer?The position covers Food, Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical and Cosmetics applications.Core MissionThe successful candidate will coordinate the transition from:Concept → Sample → Pilot Trial → Technical Approval → Industrial Batch → Commercial SupplyThe role will focus particularly on botanical extracts, natural actives and specialty ingredients requiring adaptation for Middle Eastern applications.Key ResponsibilitiesManage botanical ingredient projects after initial laboratory or customer validation.Coordinate pilot batches and first industrial production runs.Translate customer trial results into final commercial specifications.Work with manufacturers to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.Evaluate whether laboratory-scale extraction processes can be reproduced commercially.Coordinate extract concentration, carrier systems, drying methods and final physical format.Support scale-up of powder, liquid and concentrated botanical ingredients.Coordinate industrial trials with Food, Pharma and Cosmetics customers.Identify technical problems that appear only during scale-up.Follow stability, colour, taste, solubility and physical-performance issues.Coordinate corrective actions with manufacturers and technical partners.Establish commercially realistic specifications and tolerances.Evaluate MOQ, production yield, batch size, manufacturing lead time and cost implications.Ensure technical documentation reflects the final industrial product.Coordinate final approval before recurring commercial supply.Support transfer from development project to routine supply.Ingredient FocusProjects may include:Standardised botanical extractsSaffron extractsLiquorice extracts and derivativesHibiscus extractsAronia and berry extractsPomegranate extractsRed vine extractsOlive leaf extractsSeaweed-derived activesCitrus flavonoidsPolyphenol-rich extractsAnthocyanin-standardised ingredientsPAC-standardised extractsEssential-oil-derived ingredientsNatural coloursFunctional botanical blendsFood & Beverage Scale-UpPotential applications include:Functional beveragesHerbal drinksGummiesConfectioneryDairy productsPowdered beveragesTea productsClean-label formulationsFunctional foodsThe candidate should understand how a botanical ingredient may behave differently when moving from a small laboratory formulation to industrial production.Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Scale-UpApplications may include:CapsulesTabletsSachetsPowdersGummiesEffervescentsSyrupsOral liquidsOrosoluble productsParticular attention will be given to:active-compound consistency;dosage accuracy;solubility;taste masking;powder properties;stability;compatibility with the final dosage form.Cosmetics & Personal Care Scale-UpApplications may include:SkincareHair careBody careBotanical cosmetic activesNatural formulationsPremium personal careProjects may require evaluation of:colour;odour;solubility;formulation compatibility;stability;extract concentration;batch consistency.Middle East Commercialization ChallengesThe role should specifically consider:GCC storage temperaturesProduct stabilityHeat exposureSupply-chain conditionsHalal requirements where applicableRegional formulation preferencesTarget priceIndustrial MOQCustomer production volumesLocal manufacturing capabilitiesImport and documentation requirementsShelf-life expectationsManufacturing & Process AreasExperience with some of the following is highly valued:Water extractionHydroalcoholic extractionConcentrationFiltrationSpray dryingFreeze dryingCarrier selectionMicroencapsulationPowder agglomerationLiquid concentratesStandardisationBlendingIndustrial scale-upCandidate Profile5+ years in Botanical Extracts, Food Ingredients, Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Nutraceuticals or Cosmetics.Degree in Food Science, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related discipline preferred.Experience taking products from development or pilot stage into industrial production.Good understanding of botanical extraction and manufacturing.Experience with specifications and batch consistency.Ability to work with manufacturers, laboratories and industrial customers.Understanding of production economics and technical feasibility.Strong project-management capabilities.Experience with GCC customers is highly valued.Fluent English required.Arabic is an advantage.Ideal BackgroundRelevant candidates may currently work as:Scale-Up ManagerIndustrialization ManagerTechnical Transfer ManagerProcess Development ManagerBotanical Extract Production ManagerProduct Commercialization ManagerTechnology Transfer SpecialistProcess Development ScientistIndustrial R&D ManagerWhat We OfferCompetitive fixed salary.Performance-based bonus.GCC regional responsibility.Direct involvement with international botanical-extract manufacturers.Exposure to Food, Pharma, Nutraceutical and Cosmetics customers.Opportunity to develop products specifically adapted to Middle Eastern markets.Direct influence on supplier selection and manufacturing strategy.Opportunity to take projects from laboratory concept to recurring industrial business.Who We Are Looking ForA laboratory sample can be excellent.That does not mean the product is commercially ready.We want someone who asks:Can the supplier reproduce the same assay in every batch?What happens when production moves from 5 kg to 500 kg?Does spray drying change the active concentration?Does the carrier affect solubility?Does the colour remain stable?Can the customer run it on existing equipment?What is the real manufacturing yield?Is the MOQ commercially acceptable?Can the final specification actually be guaranteed?What happens after six months in GCC storage conditions?The objective is to turn technically promising botanical ingredients into stable, scalable and commercially repeatable products for Middle Eastern customers.