Senior R&D Innovation Lead (H/F/X)

Job Description

Job Description:

Senior R&D Innovation Lead (H/F/X) – Product Innovation for Cat & Dog Health

Location: Aimargues (South of France)
Company: Royal Canin – Mars Inc.
Contract: CDI – Permanent

Are you passionate about transforming the health of cats and dogs through innovative nutritional solutions? Join Royal Canin’s R&D team as a Senior R&D Innovation Lead and help us create the future of pet health!

We’re looking for a creative innovator who wants to make a real difference in pet health. As a Senior R&D Innovation Lead, you will lead the development of new nutritional solutions that improve longevity and quality of life for cats and dogs. You will design and validate products and services, working closely with teams across Royal Canin and with external partners.

What we are looking for:

• Master’s degree in food processing, biology, or chemistry (pet nutrition focus preferred).
• 5+ years’ experience managing complex projects.
• Experience in product and packaging design
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt in a fast-changing environment.
• Strong skills in managing ambiguity and driving innovation.
• Knowledge of pet nutrition is a plus.
• Fluency in English both written and spoken.

Key Responsibilities

• Discover insights and opportunities to shape new products for cats and dogs.
• Lead design thinking sessions to create innovative nutritional solutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners (start-ups, manufacturers) to develop and test new ideas.
• Ensure products are technically feasible and ready for global launch.
• Work with Marketing, Regulatory, and R&D teams to bring ideas to life.
• Support and mentor product developers in nutrition and food science.

What can you expect from Mars?

• You will work in a multicultural environment (more than 40 nationalities) and where your dog will be welcomed by more than 100 other Associates’ dogs at the office!
• You will work in a unique campus, which gathers more than 800 Associates working for: the international HQ, the French subsidiary, two laboratories, a kennel and a cattery with more than 200 cats & dogs, and finally the most important factory of the Royal Canin group
• Since 2015, no waste to landfill is made by the 16 Royal Canin factories in the world
• All Royal Canin products manufactured in Europe are ISO 14001 certified from design to factory gate

Ready to help us transform pet health through nutrition?
Apply today and be part of a team that’s shaping the future for cats and dogs!

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