Scientist - Product Development (Research and Development)

FreshPet•Bethlehem, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Product Development Scientist is responsible for the leadership and execution of projects by designing & conducting experiments, recording experimental data, and communicating results to their supervisor through project updates, product cuttings, and laboratory reports. This position is responsible for calculating formulas, producing sample batches in the lab/pilot plant, conducting plant trials, leading cuttings with requisite technical information, and communicating with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality Assurance, and other departments as needed. They will manage multiple projects and demonstrate technical competence in the planning and completion of assigned projects, leading to the development and implementation into production of new or revised products with minimal supervision. The role involves recording, collating, evaluating, and interpreting experimental data, making recommendations through written or oral reports, and maintaining an accurate laboratory notebook of all intellectual property. Responsibilities include preparing and conducting meeting updates, product cuttings, presentations, shelf-life testing, and cost analysis. The scientist will independently organize and conduct in-person plant trials and effectively manage R&D lab and R&D plant areas, including equipment cleaning, inventory, and stocking of supplies, ingredients, and finished products. Participation and support for the QA team in yearly SQF certification, including internal audits and paperwork compliance, is also required. The role provides necessary technical support to vendors, customers, and operations when product problems occur and supports method development in on-site benchtop and nutritional labs. The R&D Director will serve as back-up to this position. The role also involves setting up and operating standard lab equipment/techniques of moderate complexity, conducting innovation work sessions, developing new products in the lab, and facilitating lab, pilot plant, or plant test runs. When appropriate, the scientist will supervise technicians, plant personnel, and/or interns in the execution of experiments, plant test runs, and product commissioning. They will independently carry out assignments, review data for accuracy and trends, and communicate concerns. The role requires direct and effective communication with the Marketing team for new product launches and cross-functional strategic project goals. It also involves effective interaction with cross-functional project teams, both internal and external, through written and oral communications, maintaining an understanding of overall project status. Collaboration with colleagues to make significant individual contributions and execute project plans is essential.

Requirements

Strong problem-solving skills
Basic understanding of cat and dog nutrition
Ability to formulate
Ability to use standard lab equipment
Ability to conduct experimental procedures
Ability to perform standardized and routine assignments involving a sequence of related operations with minimal supervision
Computer skills with proficiency to construct moderately complex graphs and charts, record formulas, design presentations and evaluate statistical analysis modules
Excellent project management and organizational skills
Attention to detail
Capacity to multitask efficiently
Formulation of pet foods using a program such as C5, BestMix, or equivalent
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work in a team
Ability to adapt to dynamic work environment
Ability to interact effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
Responds well to changing priorities and quick turnaround projects
Physically capable of handling or transporting goods (up to 40 lbs)
Must be able to withstand occasional cold temperatures (40° F)
Bachelors degree Food Science, Animal Science or equivalent technical qualifications required
Minimum (2) years of experience in pet food industry
Strong technical knowledge in meat and poultry science, meat microbiology, and pet food product development are required
General laboratory experience is required
Prior R&D project management experience is required

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of AAFCO and FEDIAF regulations
Master degree preferred

Responsibilities

Design & conduct experiments
Record experimental data
Communicate results to supervisor via project updates, product cuttings, and laboratory reports
Calculate formulas
Produce sample batches in the lab/pilot plant
Conduct plant trials
Lead product cuttings
Communicate with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Quality Assurance, and other departments
Manage multiple projects
Show technical competence in planning and completion of assigned projects
Develop and implement new or revised products into production with minimal supervision
Record, collate, evaluate, and interpret experimental data
Make appropriate recommendations to all levels in the organization through written or oral reports
Maintain an accurate laboratory notebook of all intellectual property
Prepare and conduct meeting updates, product cuttings, presentations, shelf-life testing and cost analysis
Independently organize and conduct in-person plant trials
Effectively organize R&D lab and R&D plant areas including cleaning equipment, inventory and stocking of supplies, ingredients and finished products
Participate and support QA team in yearly SQF certification including internal audits and paperwork compliance
Provide necessary technical support to vendors, customers and operations when problems occur with products
Provide support to method development in on-site benchtop and nutritional labs
Set up and operate standard lab equipment / techniques of moderate complexity
Conduct innovation work sessions and develop new products in lab
Facilitate lab, pilot plant or plant test runs
Supervise technicians, plant personnel and/or interns in the execution of experiments, plant test runs and product commissioning (when appropriate)
Independently carry out assignments
Review data for accuracy and trends and communicate any concerns
Interact directly and effectively communicate with the Marketing team to successfully launch new products and achieve cross-functional strategic project goals
Effectively interact with cross-function project teams internal and external through written and oral communications
Maintain current understanding of overall project status
Collaborate with colleagues to make significant individual contributions to deliver goals and execute project plans