Your Opportunity as the Manager, Pet Research & Development
Responsible for managing and leading a high performing hybrid team of product developers and engineers for our Soft & Chewy Dog Snacks. This leadership role will be responsible for identifying, defining, formulating, developing, and commissioning / qualification of product and processing capabilities & technologies for Innovation (study request through launch), Renovation, Design to Value, as well as Business Continuity initiatives in the Pet Business.
Location: Orrville, OH
Work Arrangements: hybrid, 50% or more in office expectations with 20% travel anually
In this role you will:
- Lead and develop a team of R&D product developers and process engineers at various levels to deliver & launch new product initiatives and refining existing products and processes focused primarily on Soft & Chewy Dog Snacks.
- Translate consumers', customers', and projects' needs to objectives, learning plan and success criteria.
- Build, coach, and support the development of direct reports on technologies, tools, methods, and approaches for formulation and process development, validation and qualification. This includes, but not limited to: Technical Learning Plan, Experimental Design, Product Brief, Technical Readiness, Product Specifications, Process Capability, etc.
- Leverage mastery of Food Science and Food Processing technologies to influence, inform & guide projects and business partners (internal and external).
- Build strong, collaborative relationships within Pet R&D and with cross-functional partners (Packaging, Analytical, Quality, Co-man, Operations, TSO, Brand, Innovation, Regulatory/Legal, Finance, etc). Influence & guide stakeholders utilizing data to drive recommendations.
- Understand Pet R&D and Enterprise-wide strategy to anticipate challenges and proactively develop mitigation plans to address.
- Determine priorities, define the work, manage resource allocation, and set expectations for team members to deliver against the business and Pet R&D objectives.
- Take ownership of decisions and broad implications. Appropriately challenge decisions and take calculated risks within own decision-making authority to improve performance, utilizing various types of data/inputs.
What we are looking for:
Minimum requirements:
- BS, MS or Ph.D in Food Science, Engineering, or related field
- 7+ years of relevant experience in R&D or Technical Services in the Food Industry
- Experience in Extrusion, Baking, or Dehydration processes
- Strong collaboration skills and experience partnering internally and externally
- Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, complex ideas to a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to the Company
- Ability to thrive in a changing and fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously
- Willing to embrace changing business priorities and ambiguity
- Strong leadership skills and demonstrated skills in critical thinking, scientific methods, and analysis/interpretation of data
- Ability to prioritize projects and resources
- Up to 20% Travel required
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