Product Development Senior Scientist

Job Description

Job Description:

A Product Development Senior Scientist in the pet food industry leads the creation of nutritionally balanced, palatable, and safe food and treat products for pets. This role bridges the gap between scientific principles and consumer needs, managing the end-to-end innovation process from concept to marketplace.

Role Overview

The Senior Scientist serves as a technical authority on ingredients, nutritional delivery, and formulation strategy. You will lead high-complexity projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Quality, Operations), and ensure all products meet strict regulatory and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulation & Innovation: Lead the development and optimization of novel pet food formulas, ensuring optimal nutritional balance and palatability.

• Project Leadership: Own all technical aspects of assigned projects, ensuring they meet cost, schedule, and performance targets.

• Testing & Validation: Oversee sensory, palatability, shelf-life, and stability testing programs to validate product integrity and performance.

• Process Optimization: Conduct and review pilot plant and full-scale manufacturing trials to ensure seamless commercialization.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all formulations comply with AAFCO, FDA, and other international food safety standards.

• Strategic Research: Identify and evaluate new ingredients and emerging technologies (e.g., freeze-drying, sustainable proteins).

• Mentorship: Supervise and coach junior scientists or technicians, fostering a culture of scientific rigor.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Food Science, Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Science, or a related field.

• Experience: Typically 5–8+ years of hands-on experience in R&D or product development within the pet food or human food manufacturing industry.

• Technical Skills:Expertise in formulation software and ingredient functionality.Strong understanding of thermal processing and lean manufacturing principles.Proven track record of successfully launching products in the market.

• Soft Skills: Excellent project management, cross-functional collaboration, and communication skills to distill complex science into business-friendly terms.