R&D Manager at NaturVet

Temecula, California, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

26 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

28 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

R&D Leadership & Management, Scientific Expertise, Formulation & Manufacturing, Research & Analysis, Regulatory & Compliance, Communication & Interpersonal Skills, Organizational & Analytical Skills, Teamwork, Data Analysis Software, Laboratory Information Management Systems, Scientific Literature Databases, Formulation Software, Project Management Software, General Computer Literacy

Industry

Manufacturing

Description

Description The Research and Development Manager (RDM) is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the research and development process for new and innovative pet supplement formulations. This includes overseeing a team of scientists and technicians, conducting research, developing new products, improving existing products, and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations. Requirements ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Product Development: Lead the development of new pet supplement formulations, from concept to commercialization. This includes conducting literature reviews, designing experiments, formulating prototypes, and scaling up production. Product Development: Ability to build and/or analyze a formula’s raw material activity, ingredient interactions, dosing, shelf-life stability, and overall efficacy Research and Experimentation: Oversee research activities, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of new ingredients and formulations. Analyze data and draw conclusions to inform product development decisions. Formulation Optimization: Improve existing product formulations based on research findings, market trends, and customer feedback. Optimize formulas for palatability, stability, and efficacy. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all research and development activities comply with relevant regulations (e.g., FDA, AAFCO) for pet supplements. Prepare regulatory submissions and maintain necessary documentation. Team Management: Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of research scientists and technicians. Conduct performance reviews, provide training and development opportunities, and foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Budget Management: Develop and manage the R&D budget, ensuring cost-effective utilization of resources. Track expenses, analyze variances, and prioritize research projects. Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with other departments (marketing, sales, manufacturing) to ensure product development aligns with business objectives and market needs. Intellectual Property: Manage intellectual property related to new formulations and technologies, including patent applications and trade secrets. Scientific Communication: Communicate research findings and product development progress through reports, presentations, and scientific publications. Market Research: Stay up-to-date on market trends, competitive products, and emerging technologies in the pet supplement industry. SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES Assist when needed during the evaluation, approval or rejection of all procedures, specifications, test methods and results that impact the purity, quality, and composition of an ingredient or product Assists when needed in performing internal audits Assists when needed in approving raw material suppliers, contract manufacturers, and contract laboratories EDUCATION | CERTIFICATIONS | LICENSES | TRAINING Master’s degree in animal or human nutrition/science, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field 5+ years of experience in research and development, preferably in pet supplement, animal feed, food, or pharmaceutical industry KNOWLEDGE | SKILLS | ABILITIES R&D Leadership & Management: Proven experience leading and managing an R&D team. Scientific Expertise: Strong knowledge of animal and human nutrition, physiology, and metabolism; proficiency in applying scientific principles to develop and optimize formulations and manufacturing processes. Formulation & Manufacturing: Experience with formulation development; working knowledge of tablet presses, encapsulation, granulation, and blending equipment. Research & Analysis: Strong laboratory and experimental skills, including data analysis and written/verbal reporting. Regulatory & Compliance: knowledge of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and state and federal label guidelines and requirements for pet supplements. Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders1 (vendors, scientific experts, suppliers, employees, executives, managers). Organizational & Analytical Skills: Strong organizational, time management, and analytical skills; high attention to detail and accuracy. Teamwork: Ability to work independently and as part of a team. COMPUTER SKILLS Data Analysis Software: Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., SAS, SPSS, R) and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, GraphPad Prism) for analyzing research data, conducting statistical tests, and generating reports. Proficient in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) for essential business tasks. Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS): Familiarity with LIMS software is often beneficial for managing samples, tracking experiments, and maintaining laboratory data. Scientific Literature Databases: Proficiency with scientific literature databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science). Formulation Software: Experience with formulation software or tools may be required, depending on the specific needs of the company. Project Management Software: Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello) can be helpful for managing research projects, tracking timelines, and coordinating resources. General Computer Literacy: Strong general computer skills, including file management, internet research, and troubleshooting common software issues, are essential. PHYSICAL DEMANDS Mobility: Prolonged sitting or standing with occasional movement throughout the office, including climbing stairs (elevators not present). Lifting/Carrying: Lifting and carrying up to 25 lbs. (e.g., books, papers, tools, lab equipment, boxes of supplies). Physical Activities: Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, crawling, pushing, pulling, twisting, reaching, and working in awkward positions. Driving: Ability to drive a vehicle to transport materials between facilities. Communication: Regularly required to talk and listen. Computer Use: Extensive use of a computer and associated accessories. Vision: Requires normal color vision, depth perception, and close visual acuity for data analysis, reading, and computer use. Laboratory Work: May involve extended periods of standing, using lab equipment, and handling chemicals. Fine Motor Skills: Requires good hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for laboratory work. WORK ENVIRONMENT Office/Laboratory Environment: The position is primarily performed in a climate-controlled office and laboratory setting, using standard office equipment. Proper safety procedures and protective equipment are required in the laboratory, which involves handling chemicals, using lab equipment, and conducting experiments. Manufacturing/Production Floor (Occasional): Occasional visits to the production floor may be necessary. Collaborative and Fast-Paced: The role requires frequent interaction and collaboration with various stakeholders and can be fast-paced, demanding, and require managing multiple projects simultaneously. The physical demands and work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or may be encountered by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities

The R&D Manager leads the research and development process for new pet supplement formulations, overseeing a team of scientists and technicians. Responsibilities include product development, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with other departments to align product development with business objectives.