Senior Manager, Research and Development (R&D)

Role Description:

We are seeking a seasoned and innovative Senior Manager of R&D to lead scientific and technical innovation efforts that support the development of high-quality, efficacious animal health supplements. This role will play a pivotal part in achieving our aggressive growth targets by driving R&D excellence and translating science into scalable product innovation.

This is a hands-on leadership position for a technically proficient, detail-oriented individual with strong cross-functional communication and demonstrated project management skills. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of scientific rigor and commercial execution and can manage complex development pipelines from concept through commercialization.

Responsibilities:

·       Product Development Leadership: Lead the design, formulation, testing, and optimization of new and existing animal supplement products with a focus on efficacy, palatability, and manufacturability.

·       Innovation Pipeline Management: Support the creation and execution of a multi-year innovation roadmap aligned with corporate strategy, leveraging both internal research and external collaboration.

·       Scientific & Regulatory Integrity: Ensure all R&D work adheres to scientific best practices and complies with relevant regulatory, quality and safety standards, including AAFCO, NASC, and FDA guidelines.

·       Project Management Excellence: Manage multiple concurrent projects with accountability for timelines, budgets, and resource planning. Utilize formal project management tools and frameworks to track and communicate progress.

·       Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with sales, marketing, finance, regulatory, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to ensure the successful development and launch of new products.

·       Technology & Ingredient Scouting: Monitor emerging industry trends in animal nutrition, functional ingredients, and health science to proactively the competitive landscape and identify innovation opportunities.

Organizational Relationships:

·       Key internal partners: Product management, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Regulatory, Quality assurance, Manufacturing and Fulfillment teams

·       External interfaces include: University researchers, 3rd party labs, contract partners, industry associations, regulatory agencies

Education and Experience:

·       10+ years of progressive experience in R&D within the animal health, animal nutrition, pet food, or supplement industry.

·       Experience in a mid-sized or growth-stage company preferred.

·       Advanced degree (MS) in Animal Science, Nutrition, Veterinary Science, or a related technical field required.

Technical Skills Requirements:

·       Proven track record of taking products from concept through commercialization, with a strong grasp of formulation science and functional ingredient development.

·       Deep understanding of regulatory and compliance standards specific to the animal supplement market.

·       Strong project management capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex development timelines, and drive decision-making under pressure.

·       Translate complex scientific and technical topics into clear, concise insights for stake holders.

·       Capable of risk assessment in new product development – including formulation risks, raw material variability, and claims substantiation.

·       Proven experience leading interdisciplinary teams across regions, species and product lines.

Physical Position Requirements:

·       The emp