R&D Manager

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

R&D Manager

COMPANY SUMMARY ("Who are we?")

At The Honest Kitchen, we believe pets deserve the same quality of food as the humans who love them. As pioneers of human grade pet food, we use thoughtfully sourced ingredients and gentle preparation methods to create foods that are as wholesome as they are nutritious. We’re a purpose-driven, growth-minded, proud B Corp, (which is a legal corporate structure that allows us to operate and make decisions based upon a triple bottom line, factoring in social and environmental impacts right alongside our prioritization of long-term financial sustainability!)

company made up of people who care deeply about pets, their parents, and each other. If you’re looking to do meaningful work in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where your ideas can make a real impact, you’ll feel right at home here.

We strive for an inclusive work culture that supports a diverse array of skills, experiences, and perspectives our employees bring to the table. For us, differences are a source of strength. We celebrate strong performance and ethical processes, and we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where all employees can innovate and thrive. Here, you will not only build your career, but you will also uncover new experiences and collaborate with passionate colleagues.

The Honest Kitchen values a diverse workforce. Everyone, including women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. The Honest Kitchen believes that an equitable and inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. We’re looking for candidates who can expand our business culture by bringing their whole, authentic selves to work.

We strive to provide all qualified candidates with an equitable and accessible recruitment process.

POSITION SUMMARY ("What are we looking for?")

The R&D Manager leads the development, optimization, and commercialization of new and existing product formulations across THK's portfolio, including clusters, wet food, dehydrated blends, treats, and supplements. Working at the intersection of science and speed-to-market, this role translates marketing and innovation briefs into validated product formulations and manages the full project lifecycle from bench prototype through plant trial and launch.

The R&D Manager works closely with the Director of R&D, cross-functional partners, and co-manufacturers to ensure products are formulated on-cost, on-spec, and compliant with applicable regulations. This role also provides day-to-day technical direction to the R&D Technologist and contributes to stage gate documentation and risk identification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Formulation Development:
  • Develop and refine product formulations for new SKUs and cost or quality optimization projects, working independently within defined project scope.
  • Interpret nutritional analytical data and adjust formulations accordingly to meet target label claims, palatability, and shelf-life requirements.
  • Maintain accurate, detailed records of formulation iterations, ingredient specifications, and any deviations from approved targets.
  • Apply knowledge of ingredient functionality and food processing principles (e.g., extrusion, thermal processing, baking, dehydration) to develop commercially viable formulations.
• Plant Trials & Commercialization:
  • Plan and execute bench-top and plant trials, coordinating with co-manufacturers, QA, Procurement, and Operations to ensure trial readiness.
  • Serve as the primary R&D point of contact during plant trials; make real-time formulation and process decisions as needed.
  • Document scale-up steps and ensure…