Job Description

TITLE

Senior Scientist, Research & Development - Pet

LOCATION

Orrville, Ohio

REPORTS TO

Senior Manager, Research & Development Pet

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior R&D Scientist, Nutrition & Animal Science works to influence the nutritional design of our products informed by strategic priories, while also ensuring the nutritional compliance of all our Pet Food and Snacks products. The incumbent will inform and review product formulations and claims and provide guidance related to nutrition and animal health. Additionally, he/she will utilize their technical mastery to understand, synthesize, and disseminate latest industry/academia thinking on companion animal nutrition and health; partnering closely with various disciplines within R&D, as well as cross-functionally, to drive compliance rigor and innovation advancement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Develops, updates and deploys technical content on, a) nutrition-based strategies, by species and/or specific nutrient targets / functional needs and claims support, within the Pet R&D Organization and more broadly to cross-functional members of the Pet SBA as adequate, b) general nutrition guidelines and performance success criteria that inform new product development
* Leads the planning, execution of the Nutritional Adequacy Program; analyzes outcomes and communicates recommendations and implications to pertinent stakeholders
* Scans emergent areas of companion animal nutrition knowledge and builds the case for further evaluation, informed by business areas of strategic interest, through internal research and/or external partnerships; socializes outcomes and offers pertinent business recommendations accordingly
* Partners within R&D to develop continuous ingredient surveillance program, analyzes results and participates in subsequent nutrient database updates and implications to active formulations, as applicable
* Represents JMS as a member of companion animal nutrition sub-committees in trade and regulatory groups, influencing debate on evolving industry guidelines and regulations on the subject

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education

* PhD in Animal Nutrition or related field plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or MS in Animal Nutrition or related field plus 7 years of relevant professional experience are required; PhD or MS in Companion Animal Nutrition is preferred

Experience

* Mastery of companion animal nutrition; solid understanding of ingredient nutritional value and nutrient bioavailability, and the complex interactions that influence it (e.g. physiology, formulation, manufacturing processes)
* Fundamental knowledge in food science and processing technologies
* Proficiency in commercial pet food formulation software(s)
* Familiarity with Federal, State and Local Pet Food Regulations
* Ability to excel in a collaborative, yet dynamic environment. Strong communication skills and ability to influence within both the technical and business cross-functional communities
* Ability to lead others to solve complex problems, applying sophisticated analytical thought and perspective from previous experiences to inform decisions

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