Summary:

The PetAg Head of R&D is responsible for leading development efforts for new products, product improvements and new or improved manufacturing processes. Additionally, this role will have direct responsibility for leading product development through a formal stage gate process. This position will require proven ability to work with geographically diverse cross- functional team members and third-party resources throughout the R&D process, resulting in collaboratively generated innovative outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities/Activities:

• Manage and oversee the development of a robust product pipeline of nutritional feeds, supplements, and additives to support the strategic
• Manage and set budget expectations for the
• Develop a strong team that can manage to deadlines and budget expectations while creating innovative and high value products to meet market and customer needs
• Work cross-functionally with marketing and sales to understand market and customer needs.
• Utilize a rigorous stage gate process to ensure appropriate project
• Manage new product development from concept creation through to scale up and commercialization.
• Plan, execute and supervise process trials in laboratories, pilot plants or in our own plants.
• Generate data to substantiate product claims regarding safety and efficacy of new products.
• Oversee the planning and execution of product reviews, technical investigations, formulation and process improvement, new ingredient/processing technologies and LCF formulation management.
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory regarding labeling requirements for new and existing products, adhering to AAFCO, USDA, FDA and FSMA
• Provide subject matter expertise to support the development and delivery of educational content and collateral both internally and externally

Qualifications:

• Advance degree in Animal Nutrition and/or related field is required, including a solid understanding of neonate nutrition and or companion animal nutrition
• 10 years of successful hands-on experience guiding product development - from concept to commercialization
• Active member of animal health, veterinary and/or nutritional associations/societies
• Demonstrated leadership and people development skills
• Deep knowledge of methodologies and pre-commercialization product testing requirements.
• Solid working knowledge of FDA, USDA-APHIS and FSMA regulations as they pertain to Pet Foods and nutritional supplements
• Manufacturing experience including process development and scale up of liquids, powders, and soft chew formats
• Quality and food safety understanding
• Solid business acumen and demonstrated experience in how product formulations and processing economics impact competitive commercial viability of products in development
• Ability to work collaboratively with other departments and third-party resources
• Ability to work with a high level of autonomy
• Solid computer proficiency