Sr. Product Development Specialist

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in formulation of pet products, including feed supplements and diets as applicable
• Assist in developing products for the U.S. and international pet markets according to relevant regulations
• Assist in scientifically substantiating product label claims based on peer-reviewed literature and/or clinical efficacy results
• Interact with internal and 3rd party manufacturers to provide product formulation guidance
• Review U.S. and global 3rd party formulas to ensure proper product specifications are met
• Interact with both internal and external manufacturing teams to troubleshoot production processes
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop global products that meet label claims and ensure customer and consumer satisfaction
• Partner with Food Safety and Regulatory to develop safe and efficacious products that adhere to all regulatory guidelines
• Participate in R&D Led Innovation by brainstorming, presenting, and developing innovative product ideas that align with brand strategy
• Assist in managing and streamlining integration activity as newly acquired brands join the portfolio
• Assist in the design of global pet product stability study protocols
• Lead stability studies and analyze data to determine U.S. and international product shelf-life
• Create and maintain database of global product stability certificates
• Participate in investigation of consumer complaints and collaborate with Quality Assurance and Food Safety to implement corrective actions
• Partner with Production, Quality Assurance, and Packaging Engineering to perform manufacturing pilots and line trials
• Prepare mock-up samples for marketing and sales needs
• Maintain annual testing requirements for claims substantiation on global products
• Maintain and update R&D laboratory Standard Operating Procedures
• Contribute to continuous improvement of NPD and interdepartmental relationships
• Prioritize time and resources to support the Speed to Market initiative

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 3+ years of experience in product development and/or a laboratory setting
• Preference for backgrounds in Chemistry, Biology, Food Sciences, Animal Sciences, or related sciences
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, equipment, and safety requirements
• Basic critical thinking and analytical skills
• High level of organizational skills
• Ability to work independently with little supervision
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Strong multi-tasking skills
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Effective communication across all organizational levels
• Proficiency in PC skills: Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Adobe

Nice to Have

• Transferable skills from related fields

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant science field
• 3+ years of experience in product development or laboratory setting

Benefits & Perks

• Hybrid work schedule with 85-90% office environment and 5-10% lab environment
• Travel opportunities on an as-needed basis