Product Development Manger ( Pet Food)

$115,000 - $130,000/Yr

Talentohcm - Burlington, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Burlington, MA

About the position

The Product Development Manager for Pet Food at TalentoHC is a pivotal role focused on driving new product development initiatives within a holistic pet food company. This position involves overseeing the entire product formulation process, including recipe creation, ingredient research, validation, and testing. The manager will lead a team of R&D scientists and act as a liaison between product development and other functional teams, ensuring optimal product and process performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive plans aligned with business concepts and product goals.
• Manage and communicate project timelines in coordination with the Project Management team to ensure timely, cost-effective execution.
• Provide progress updates and key milestones to senior leadership.
• Lead all facets of the development process, from ingredient analysis and product evaluation to processing performance and quality assurance.
• Deliver technical support across both internal teams and external (global) partners.
• Oversee Product Change Requests and contribute to project planning, timeline creation, risk assessment, and implementation.
• Combine technical expertise with creative innovation to enhance product development and design.
• Lead strategic innovation sessions and spearhead exploration and feasibility studies of new technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Meat Science, Process Engineering, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of recent, relevant experience in pet food development, with a focus on project management and team leadership.
• Proven ability to guide projects from concept and bench-top trials through scale-up and commercialization, with a clear understanding of the product development cycle.
• In-depth knowledge of food manufacturing processes and the steps involved in transforming raw materials into final products.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, especially in simplifying complex information for non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong leadership abilities, marked by emotional intelligence and experience managing high-performing teams.
• Business acumen with the ability to navigate ambiguity, prioritize effectively, and demonstrate a sense of urgency.
• Flexible and approachable, with experience in coaching and mentoring.
• Comfortable working in both office and plant environments, with exposure to noise and machinery.

Nice-to-haves

• Expertise in pet food development, including AAFCO regulations and animal nutrition.
• Deep technical understanding to support diverse product types.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.