Sr. Manager R&D Scientist - Pet Food and Treats

The Senior Manager, R&D – Product Development is responsible for leading pet food and pet treat innovation by translating pet and pet parent needs into technical requirements and consumer-driven product solutions that deliver business impact. This role provides strategic technical leadership, manages R&D talent, and drives innovation and renovation across key product platforms. The Senior Manager owns defined areas of technical expertise, leads technology and capability advancement initiatives, and partners cross-functionally to support successful commercialization.

Summary

The Senior Manager, R&D – Product Development is responsible for leading pet food and pet treat innovation by translating pet and pet parent needs into technical requirements and consumer-driven product solutions that deliver business impact. This role provides strategic technical leadership, manages R&D talent, and drives innovation and renovation across key product platforms. The Senior Manager owns defined areas of technical expertise, leads technology and capability advancement initiatives, and partners cross-functionally to support successful commercialization.

• Apply scientific principles and strategic thinking to lead development of novel pet food and pet treat products.
• Lead formulation and product development to address unmet consumer and pet needs.
• Serve as a technical authority for ingredients, processing, nutrition delivery, and formulation strategy.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance new ingredients, technologies, and innovation capabilities.
• Own all technical aspects of assigned projects and ensure completion according to project plans.
• Develop, review, and approve formulation and finished product specifications.
• Oversee sensory, palatability, shelf-life, and stability testing.
• Author technical proposals, summaries, presentations, and reports.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and laboratory records.
• Lead cross-functional teams and projects with moderate to high complexity.
• Solve complex problems and identify innovative solutions.
• Collaborate across functions to achieve shared business objectives.
• Serve as R&D Technical Lead on cross-functional initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with GMPs, food safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

This position has direct supervisory responsibility for one or more R&D team members, including performance management, coaching, and professional development.

Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Food Science, Engineering, or related field, and a minimum of 6–8 years of Research & Development experience. Prior people management, pet food or technical leadership experience strongly preferred.