Alejandra Rubio
Corona,CA
Summary
Master of Food Science with six years of experience in nutraceutical contract manufacturing across Quality and Research & Development. Technical leader skilled in driving cross-functional product development, commercialization, and process improvement initiatives while resolving complex formulation and manufacturing challenges and providing data-driven recommendations.
Overview
3
3
Certifications
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
R&D Senior Formulator
Sirio Nutrition California
City Of Industry, CA
06.2026 - Current
- Promoted to Senior Formulator in recognition of technical expertise, leadership, and contributions to softgel product development and commercialization.
- Lead and mentor two direct reports, including a Lab Technician and Lab Assistant, providing training, workload direction, and day-to-day guidance.
- Provide technical leadership across R&D, Technical Operations, Production, and other functional teams, supporting formulation development, troubleshooting, process optimization, and commercialization.
- Lead technical projects and provide recommendations to cross-functional leadership, leveraging formulation expertise, manufacturing trial data, and technical analysis to support product development and process improvement.
R&D Formulator
Sirio Nutrition California (formerly Best Formulations)
City Of Industry, CA
06.2023 - 06.2026
- Developed and optimized softgel formulations from laboratory scale through commercialization, troubleshooting formulation and manufacturing challenges and supporting successful product launches.
- Led softgel product development projects from formulation through pilot and new product runs, determining trial plans and objectives and coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution.
- Led cross-functional meetings with Production, R&D, and Technical Operations to identify and resolve formulation, manufacturing, and project issues and align teams on pilot and new product runs.
- Conducted raw material qualification for new ingredients, alternate suppliers, and discontinued/vendor-replacement materials, evaluating compatibility with formulation requirements and specifications while supporting customer requirements, supply continuity, and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Led the U.S. validation of a new gellan gum-based softgel gel formulation in collaboration with China R&D, coordinating 13 manufacturing trials, evaluating formulation and process data, and presenting findings and recommendations to the Global Softgel Expert Committee.
- Served as a member of the Global Softgel Expert Committee, collaborating with R&D and Technical Operations teams across the U.S., China, and Germany on softgel development and optimization initiatives.
- Managed and mentored two direct reports, including a Lab Technician and Lab Assistant, providing training, workload direction, and day-to-day guidance.
- Developed and implemented workload and laboratory organization processes, coordinating priorities across the formulation team and supporting operational workflow across three R&D laboratories.
R&D Technician
Best Formulations
City of Industry, CA
11.2021 - 06.2023
- Acquired comprehensive knowledge in softgel processing to enhance product development.
- Conducted experiments to support formulation development and product testing.
- Support senior management with the creation and enhancement of continuous improvement of research procedures.
- Oversee new procedures, formulas, and products tested in production.
- Keep up-to-date with regulatory legislation and guideline changes to accurately review labels, create a supplement facts panel, and calculate nutrition facts.
- Maintain up-to-date records of product issues, research, and results for future reference.
- Collaborate across departments to meet company goals.
- Keep up-to-date with regulatory legislation and guideline changes to accurately review labels, create a supplement facts panel, and calculate nutrition facts.
Document Control Specialist
Best Formulations
City of Industry, CA
04.2021 - 11.2021
- Coordinated inbound and outbound document processes, including sorting, logging, and work order creation for soft gel, capsules, tablets, powder, and packaging to ensure smooth operational flow.
- Verified completed batch records for compliance with 21 CFR § 111.260, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Assisted with inbound and outbound document processes, document sorting, logging, and work order creation for soft gel, capsules, tablets, powder, and packaging.
- Provided statements and declarations to customers, including allergen, non-GMO, and gluten-free
- Oversaw regulatory requirements and audit support by accurately completing and submitting necessary documentation.
Quality Assurance Technician
4Excelsior
Anaheim, CA
01.2018 - 11.2018
- Quality assurance technician for tableting/encapsulation and packaging.
- Performed thorough inspections of incoming materials and outgoing products to comply with the company's quality assurance standards.
- Provided regular updates to team leadership on quality standards, communicating consistency problems or production deficiencies with quality and production leadership.
- Organized and led meetings with quality and production teams to align on daily goals and effectively resolve issues.
- Investigated variances, placed products on hold, performed root-cause analysis using fishbone diagrams and documented corrective actions to resolve complications.
- Identified training needs for current good manufacturing practices and QA standards, facilitating completion of necessary training across all departments.
- Monitored other departments during staff shortages and addressed customer complaints in the office.
Education
Master of Science - Food Science
Chapman University
Orange, CA 09.2018 - 08.2020
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
University Of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 09.2012 - 08.2016
Skills
- Animal and vegetarian softgel formulation expertise
- Process Development and Commercialization
- Understanding of GMP and HACCP standards
- Scale-up process experience
- Proactively seeks efficiency improvements
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Technical Project Leadership
Certification
Finalist of IFTSA and Mars Wrigley 2020 Product Development Competition
Timeline
R&D Senior Formulator
Sirio Nutrition California
06.2026 - Current
R&D Formulator
Sirio Nutrition California (formerly Best Formulations)
06.2023 - 06.2026
R&D Technician
Best Formulations
11.2021 - 06.2023
Document Control Specialist
Best Formulations
04.2021 - 11.2021
Quality Assurance Technician
4Excelsior
01.2018 - 11.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry
University Of California, Riverside
09.2012 - 08.2016
Master of Science - Food Science
Chapman University
09.2018 - 08.2020