Product Development Scientist
About the Team:
Our Product Development group focuses on delivering customer-centric innovations that are available only at PetSmart. This allows us to create products and solutions that our pet parents are asking for that they can’t find anywhere else. This team partners with Merchandising, Brand Management, Product Design & Integrity, and Global Sourcing to bring the product from vision to reality.
About the Location:
This role requires a minimum of four days in office, with the option to flex one remote workday per week, in alignment with leader approval and policy guidelines.
About the Job:
The Associate Formulation Scientist is responsible for development and maintenance of propriety-branded pet products to drive customer loyalty, increase profitability, create competitive differentiation, and address merchandising assortment needs.You will support the proprietary brand formulation including dry and wet food, treats, supplements, litter, health and beauty grooming pet product development from concept to launch based on consumer and pet needs, trends, concepts, and prior sales results.
You will support the development process and help to determine key formulation and processing requirements in partnership with Manufacturing Partners, Brand, Sourcing and Quality Assurance
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to:
- Responsible for product development timelines, keeping the process moving, ensuring all key technical milestones are met.
- Proactively partners with external vendors on product development, project statuses, manages product development timeline, communicates any changes, additional details and/or risks to Supervisor and Leadership.
- Works cross-functionally to achieve or exceed margin requirements provided by Merchandising.
- Possesses an understanding of product development lead-times to manage category-specific timeline(s).
- Responsible for the development of formulated product including dog, cat, small animal, and aquatic species treats, food, health and beauty, supplements and specialty consumables.
- Coordinates & creates communication materials for various meetings, from team concept brainstorming to cross-functional presentations highlighting technical readiness to launch.
- Must have strong communication and customer service skills to build & maintain productive professional relationships with co-manufacturers, internal stakeholders, and be an effective team player.
- Requires the ability to proactively & creatively problem-solve & prioritize when facing business problems, technical project risks.
- Requires strong organizational skills & has the ability to work in a fast-paced environment & handle multiple projects within established timeframes.
- Develop product specifications including formulation during Product Development.
- Work with QA partners to define Food Safety and Quality parameters, coordinate development trials and attend production runs.
- Coordinate studies to ensure products meet or exceed expectations, validating analytical, stability, palatability and digestibility.
- Verify product names, ingredients, claims and nutritional guaranteed analysis values to meet AAFCO requirements during the packaging label review process.
- Support full production start-up for product launches and partner with QA for on-going manufacturing and compliance product needs and product improvement.
- Create product specifications in partnership with manufacturers and maintain updates for proprietary technical products.
- Provide technical expertise in the development of products and solutions either internally or in co-development with a manufacturer
- Analyze financial, nutritional, and analytical data to recommend product design recommendations that meet proprietary branded operational plan goals.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Minimum Bachelor's Science (BS) degree in Food Science, Engineering, Animal Sciences, or related technical field and equivalent experience required. Two to three years of experience in Product Development is required. Advanced degree a plus.
TECHNICAL SKILLS- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Strong, concise written and verbal communication
- Formulation simulation software knowledge (e.g. Genesis, Concept 5 or equivalent)
- Highly motivated problem solver and the drive to deliver objectives in a complex environment.
- Ability to plan, put together well thought out design of experiments, anticipate next steps and incorporate course corrections when hurdles appear.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment are characteristic of those found in a typical office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable those with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Must be able to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% of the time.
About the Culture:
At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share. These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.
Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.
Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:
- Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
- On-site Dog Park
- “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
- “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
- On-site coffee bar
- “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
- Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
- Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
- Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
- Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
- If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area: Welcome to Phoenix Guide
PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.