SCIENTIST II - PET NUTRITION INNOVATION

Description

About Us:

Join Hartz, where our love for pets drives everything we do. With over 95 years of commitment to pet care excellence, we are a trusted household name across the United States.  Innovation is at the heart of our mission as we continuously strive to provide products that nurture the special bond between pets and their owners, ensuring they experience nothing but Unconditional Love.

As leaders in the pet care industry, we are dedicated to pioneering advancements that enhance the well-being of pets, leading to happier, healthier, and longer lives.  Our success is fueled by the passion and dedication of our diverse team members, who bring their unique perspectives and talents to every aspect of our work.
 

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and supportive work environment where individuals from all backgrounds and identities are valued and empowered to thrive.  At Hartz, your contributions matter, whether collaborating in the office or embracing the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement.  Together, we empower our employees and furry companions to make a meaningful impact within our company and beyond.  Join us in shaping the future of pet care and experience the joy of making a difference, one pet at a time. 

What We Offer …

• Hybrid Work Schedule: Enjoy flexibility with 3 days in-office and 2 days remote.
• Competitive Compensation & Benefits: Receive a generous 401(k) match with immediate vesting.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy up to 34 paid days off annually. 
• Paid Leaves: Parental leave, Bereavement leave, and Military leave.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Healthcare FSA, and Mental Health EAP, basic Life Insurance and Disability insurance.
• Tuition Reimbursement & Career Growth: Access to tuition reimbursement and other learning and development opportunities.
• Employee Perks: Volunteer opportunities, fun employee events, and more!

The Role …

Are you ready to revolutionize pet nutrition and make a tangible difference in the lives of dogs and cats? We are seeking an innovative and skilled Scientist II to join our Research and Development team and drive the next generation of innovative nutrition solutions for pet wellness.  In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of developing dog and cat treats (jerky, soft chews, kibble, etc), canned/pouch cat wet treats and various other canine and feline snack formats, that contribute to the health and well-being of pets. You will leverage your extensive knowledge and experience—from raw material selection and formulation to manufacturing processes, quality control, and safety assurance—to deliver safe, nutritious, and highly palatable products.

This role requires the ability to understand and analyze market needs, incorporate new technologies, and drive cost-saving initiatives to create new value in the pet food industry. As a primary technical resource and key contributor, you will ensure the successful transition of product concepts through the entire development lifecycle, while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and quality.

This position is located at our Secaucus, NJ corporate headquarters, and has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. 

Your Responsibilities …

Research & Development (R&D) Execution & Quality

• Establish quality standards based on product specifications and ensure all specifications are met throughout the development process
• Execute core R&D tasks, including involvement in complex projects, preparing lab samples, and meticulously recording testing data
• Conduct sensory evaluations, nutritional analyses, etc. at external institutions to ensure product quality and safety
• Manage and lead stability testing to determine the expiration date determined by the team
• Collect data and maintain documentation for ingredients, formulations, and final products using formulation software. Collaborate with relevant departments (marketing, regulatory, manufacturing, etc.) to ensure product development timelines are met
• Contact ingredient suppliers and compile a database of the efficacy, evidence, and safety data of functional ingredients for dogs and cats
• Plan and oversee trial production runs at the factory, establish raw material supply systems, and contribute to the creation and enhancement of production workflows
• Establish product specifications based on R&D findings and quality objectives
• Work with suppliers to confirm product development and manufacturing conditions, observe production, and ensure that the product meets specifications
• Lead cost-saving initiatives by understanding the composition of the cost structure and leading efforts to manage and reduce expenses

Specialized Expertise & Compliance

• Understand ingredient characteristics and their impact on product performance and quality. Select ingredients, design formulations, and prepare handmade prototypes and evaluations in the lab to develop optimal products that align with the concept
• Understand and improve existing manufacturing processes both internally and externally to establish an efficient and safe production system
• Apply practical knowledge of AAFCO/FEDIAF regulations and manage R&D projects in line with these compliance requirements
• Acquire knowledge of the latest nutritional, food science, and manufacturing technologies and apply them to product development
• Stay abreast of the latest technological trends through literature searches, technical meetings, industry conferences, and training sessions, and share them with the team

Marketing & Commercial Linkage

• Summarize and analyze HUT (Home Use Test) results to draw actionable insights for product refinement
• Analyze major competitors' products to benchmark our offerings and identify market opportunities
• Analyze market trends and incorporate them into product development

Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Contribute as a key member to the development of pet nutrition product concepts and line extension projects 
• Manage projects in collaboration with the Product Development team, acting as a co-responsible party for timeline adherence and successful project completion
• Manage consumer testing initiatives to gather critical product performance data
• Perform inventory management of raw materials to ensure continuous R&D operations

Leadership & Mentorship

• Assist the manager with the mentoring and training of new, entry-level personnel in laboratory techniques, project protocols, and quality standards
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned 

Requirements

You’ll Need…

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or Animal Science; Master's Degree a plus
• Experience: Minimum of 4 years of combined experience in scientific research, product development, and formulation development
• Formulation Experience: Experience in formulation development and usage of formulation software program 
• Manufacturing Process Experience: Extrusion and Retort process experience a plus
• Industry Knowledge: Practical knowledge of AAFCO/FEDIAF regulations
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Project Management Skills: Strong project management skills, particularly in maintaining project timelines, coupled with the proven ability to work on complex scientific projects and manage laboratory samples and data
• Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical skills for summarizing test results (e.g., HUT data) and competitor analysis
• Ingredient & Sensory Science Knowledge: Knowledge of food characteristics and the principles of combining ingredients to achieve desired flavors, textures, and nutritional outcomes
• Communication Skills: Solid communication and interpersonal skills for team collaboration and mentorship
• AI Skills: Demonstrates a positive and adaptive attitude toward approved AI tools, proactively leveraging them to enhance productivity and efficiency
• Business Travel: Must be willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally as needed (10%)