Product Development Manager – Pet Food
Overview
Talento has partnered with a holistic pet food company in search of a dedicated Product Development Manager specializing in Pet Food. This key role will drive new product development initiatives, leading the product formulation process, including recipe creation, ingredient research, validation, and testing. The Product Development Manager will guide bench-top trials, pilot tests, scale-ups, and commissioning runs, while ensuring optimal product and process performance. Acting as a central link between product development and other functional teams, this individual will report to the Senior Manager of Product Development and lead a team of 4 R&D Scientists.
Responsibilities
New Product Development
- Develops comprehensive plans aligned with business concepts and product goals.
- Manages and communicates project timelines in coordination with the Project Management team to ensure timely, cost-effective execution.
- Provides progress updates and key milestones to senior leadership.
- Leads all facets of the development process, from ingredient analysis and product evaluation to processing performance and quality assurance.
Technical Service
- Delivers technical support across both internal teams and external (global) partners.
- Oversees Product Change Requests (product, process, operations, ingredients) and contributes to project planning, timeline creation, risk assessment, and implementation.
Innovation
- Combines technical expertise with creative innovation to enhance product development and design.
- Leads strategic innovation sessions and spearheads 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.
- For this role, expertise in pet food development, including AAFCO regulations, animal nutrition, and a deep technical understanding to support diverse product types, is essential.
Compensation: $115,000 – $130,000 base, depending on experience
About Talento Human Capital (TalentoHC):
TalentoHC is a leading talent acquisition, executive search, and human capital consulting partner, dedicated to helping our clients build their best teams yet. Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, embracing individuals from various backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Talento Human Capital is an equal opportunity employer.
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