Michele McRae
Santa Cruz,CA
Summary
Innovative detail-driven senior formulation scientist with advanced expertise in optimizing unique formulation options with all oral dosage delivery formats. Proven record in nutraceutical innovation, applying science, emerging technologies to deliver formulation excellence with optimized sensory performance to enhance consumer adherence.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Company Founder, Senior R&D Formulation Scientist and Consultant
ETHOS EDGE FORMULATION
Santa Cruz CA
01.2021 - Current
- Founded consultancy leveraging 15+ years of formulation experience and clinical nutrition expertise to innovate concept ideation, formulation, and market entry for supplement brands and contract manufacturers
- Fully Remote Work
- Developed strategic partnerships with suppliers to enhance ingredient sourcing efficiency.
- Conducted market research to identify trends and opportunities for new product lines.
- Established and implemented innovative product formulations to meet market demands.
Senior R&D Formulation Chemist / Global NPD
METAGENICS
Gig Harbor WA
01.2023 - 09.2025
- 2024-2025 Managed nine big bet pipeline products for development to successful launch
- Subject Matter Expert (SME) on all aspects of formulation, innovative technologies, delivery formats, sensory, product/process development, scale-up and commercialization of all dietary supplement dosage forms.
- Completed running baseline, then running assessment of global delivery technologies, cost/dose, time to market, feasibility for Global NPD innovation opportunities
- Hybrid
- Led troubleshooting efforts for formulation challenges, resulting in optimized product performance.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on emerging technologies within the field of formulation chemistry by attending relevant workshops, webinars, and seminars.
- Contributed to team discussions and new project initiatives to advance progress and optimize profitability.
Company Founder, Senior R&D Formulation Scientist
ETHOS EDGE FORMULATION
Santa Cruz CA
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Founded consultancy leveraging 15+ years of formulation experience and clinical nutrition expertise to innovate concept ideation, formulation, and market entry for supplement brands and contract manufacturers
- Fully Remote Work
- Analyzed market trends to identify new opportunities for product expansion and differentiation.
- Established a successful business by identifying market needs and developing innovative solutions.
- Developed strong partnerships with other businesses to allow for collaboration and more significant opportunities for growth.
- Developed innovative product formulations tailored to client specifications.
- Established quality assurance protocols to enhance product consistency and safety standards.
Senior Director, R&D Clorox/Nutranext
CLOROX/NUTRANEXT
Santa Cruz CA
12.1998 - 11.2021
- Championed >750 product launches, leading end-to-end formulation strategy for award-winning, market-disruptive supplements, driving aggressive growth with Rainbow Light / Nutranext.
- Created Rainbow Light’s first-to-market flagship best-selling Women’s One™, Men’s One™, and Prenatal One™multivitamins
- Formulated > 75 clean label nutraceutical gummy products, including first-to-market low, no sugar, and no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, optimized flavor sensory, validated stability testing protocols.
- Leading science through formulation, product development to commercialization, ensuring clinical efficacy and excellence
- Director of Formulation Rainbow Light, promoted to Senior Director of Formulation, then Senior Director New Product Development, then Senior Director of R&D Nutranext
- Hybrid
- Fully Remote Work
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategic marketing initiatives for product launches.
- Drove innovation in product development processes, enhancing speed-to-market and customer satisfaction.
- Mentored junior staff, fostering professional growth and ensuring adherence to best practices in operations.
- Collaborated with supply chain leadership to optimize inventory management systems and reduce costs.
- Spearheaded market research initiatives, identifying trends that informed product positioning and strategy adjustments.
- Streamlined communication channels across departments, enhancing collaboration and project visibility throughout the organization.
- Analyzed competitive landscape to identify opportunities for differentiation, driving strategic decision-making across teams.
- Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
- Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
- Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
- Created an agile working environment, enabling rapid response to changing business needs without sacrificing quality or performance standards.
- Managed risk effectively by identifying potential threats, developing contingency plans, and implementing mitigation strategies in line with overall business objectives.
- Achieved departmental goals by developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives.
- Led cross-functional teams to successfully launch new products, meeting deadlines and budgets.
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence within the organization.
- Navigated complex regulatory environments to ensure compliance with local laws, standards, and regulations relevant to the business domain.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Assisted in organizing and overseeing assignments to drive operational excellence.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition Science
University of California–Davis
Skills
- Concept to Formulation
- Benchtop to Scale-up Flavor/Sensory
- Gender, All Ages, Lifestyle Metabolic Health
- Nutraceuticals/Sourcing Science/Claims
- All Delivery Formats
- Nutrition Biochemistry
Websites
Affiliations
Council for Responsible Nutrition and American Herbal Products Association
Certification
Certified Nutritionist (CN) | American Health Science University, Aurora, CO
LEADERSHIP AND EXECUTION EXCELLENCE
- Championed >750 product launches, leading end-to-end formulation strategy for award-winning, market-driven supplements, driving aggressive growth with Rainbow Light / Nutranext.
- Created Rainbow Light’s first-to-market flagship best-selling Women’s One, Men’s One, and Prenatal One multivitamins with YOY > $150M
- Led product innovation post-Clorox acquisition, including first-to-market prenatal solutions tailored by trimester and postnatal life stages
- Formulated > 75 clean label nutraceutical gummy products, including first-to-market low, no sugar, and no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, optimized flavor sensory, validated stability testing protocols.
- Led PD with Metagenics to launch Probiotic Gummy (no sugar), Her Wellness Hormone Support Line (4 products), UltraFlora MV + Probiotic, finalized MagActives (3 formulas), Flavor Sensory work for Her Wellness powders 2026
Languages
Spanish
Timeline
Senior R&D Formulation Chemist / Global NPD
METAGENICS
01.2023 - 09.2025
Company Founder, Senior R&D Formulation Scientist and Consultant
ETHOS EDGE FORMULATION
01.2021 - Current
Company Founder, Senior R&D Formulation Scientist
ETHOS EDGE FORMULATION
01.2021 - 12.2023
Senior Director, R&D Clorox/Nutranext
CLOROX/NUTRANEXT
12.1998 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Science - Nutrition Science
University of California–Davis