Scientist, Pet Research & Development-Product Development

Your Opportunity as a Scientist, Pet Research & Development-Product Development

Be responsible for developing product designs and formulations that deliver solutions against the identified unmet consumer needs and business priorities. You will leverage technical expertise and scientific method thinking skills to bring together consumer needs and product possibilities to both winning, and creative innovation, as well as product improvement and maintenance. You will lead several RoadMap projects within Pet Snacks as well as capability projects.

Location: Orrville, OH Corporate Offices

Working Environment: Hybrid, Onsite approximately 6-9 days per month, during core weeks as determined by the Company; maybe more as business need requires

In this role you will:

• Initiate and lead formulation development of optimized formulations, new technologies and product innovation, renovation or cost optimization that delivers against the consumer need and design criteria.
• Develop and run (in partnership with Process Lab/Plant) experimental designs to test hypotheses in the areas of sensory/palatability, stability, and other key technical project deliverables.
• Communicate results, key learnings, and recommendations. Author or contribute to technical proposals, summaries, presentations, and project reports. Maintain technical documentation (eg laboratory notebooks and invention records).
• Lead project or functional teams, as needed to proactively meet project needs/timing.
• Keep abreast of new ingredients and technologies as well as patent art in and beyond the existing category.
• Actively collaborate and partner with team members, both internal and external to R&D, to develop key tasks and project plans for timely completion of goals.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• BS degree or higher in Science, Technology, or Engineering
• Depending on degree type/level, a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in Research & Development
• Strong critical thinking and creativity skills.
• Ability to work independently, with guidance in only complex situations
• Collaboration ability to create and maintain productive relationships
• Effective presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be willing/able to drive a company or rental vehicle as needed
• Up to 20% Travel required

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Pet Food and/or Snacks formulation and product development experience
• Experience with food processes, e.g. extrusion, thermal processing, or baking
• Experience with commercial formulation software such as Concept 5

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