Food Scientist - Pet Food R&D

Location: Onsite Oak Creek, WI

Department: Research & Development

Reports To: R&D Manager
 

The Food Scientist – Pet Food R&D role leads product development and process innovation for all freeze-dried pet food initiatives. This role drives formulation, freeze-dry process design, and cross-functional coordination to bring new products from concept to commercialization. The scientist serves as the primary R&D contact for all pet-related projects, frequently supporting plant trials across multiple facilities and collaborating closely with procurement, operations, quality, and sales teams. While the focus is primarily pet food, the role will support human food R&D needs as well. Success in this position requires strong scientific expertise, ownership of complex projects, independent problem-solving, and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Include: 

• Innovation Pipeline: Lead ideation and execution of new product initiatives aligned with company strategy, market trends, and customer insights.
• Freeze-Dry Expertise: Oversee trials and creation/optimization of freeze-drying processes for raw and occasional cooked ingredients, managing moisture targets, product integrity, and nutrient retention.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with procurement, quality, operations, and sales & marketing teams to ensure product feasibility, cost targets, manufacturability, and brand alignment.
• Regulatory & Nutritional Compliance: Ensure all formulations meet or exceed AAFCO, FDA (if applicable), and other relevant regulations and nutritional standards.
• Technical Documentation & Shelf-Life Studies: Oversee the creation and maintenance of comprehensive technical documentation, including ingredient specifications, product spec sheets, and formulation records. Design and lead shelf-life and stability studies to validate product integrity, safety, and nutritional performance over time, ensuring data-driven decisions for shelf life and packaging requirements.
• Supplier & Ingredient Vetting: Evaluate new ingredients and suppliers for functional, nutritional, and safety performance, and develop sourcing specifications.
• Team Development: Build and mentor a high-performing pet food committee within the R&D team, promoting scientific rigor and a culture of innovation.
• Travel & Cross-Site Support: Require frequent travel—both domestic and occasionally international—for plant trials, pilot runs, onboarding new products at manufacturing sites, and supporting R&D needs across multiple facilities.
• Human Food Support (As Needed): Support limited human food R&D projects as needed, while maintaining primary focus on pet food.
• Ownership of Pet R&D: Serve as the primary point of contact for all freeze-dried pet food R&D projects, working both independently and collaboratively to drive initiatives forward and support cross-functional teams across the organization.

Qualifications Include:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s in Food Science, Animal Nutrition, Meat Science, or related field.
• 2 years of experience in pet food or food manufacturing; 1 years in freeze-dried or low-moisture foods preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of pet nutrition (dog and cat), ingredient functionality, and AAFCO/FDA/USDA regulatory guidelines.
• Proven experience managing R&D projects.
• Strong understanding of freeze-drying equipment, HACCP, and food safety principles.
• Excellent project management, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Passion for animal health and wellness through science-based nutrition.

Physical Requirements - Must be able to perform the following functions with or without accommodations:

• Travel Required up to 50%, both domestic and international
• Consistent and Reliable Attendance
• Typical of an office environment including sitting at a workstation for entire shift
• Extensive typing and computer use for entire shift
• Occasional lifting of 25 – 50lbs
• Standing and moving around on a semi-frequent basis for an entire shift

 Product Safety & Quality:

• Place high priority on food safety, quality, and sanitation by understanding and executing Thrive Freeze Dry’s food safety, quality, and sanitation policies and procedures. 
• Hold self and others accountable to Thrive Freeze Dry food safety, quality, & sanitation guidelines and policies by communicating any food safety or quality incident, observation, or opportunity to your leadership team or teammates. 
• Adheres to and ensures Product Safety and Quality standards are followed. 
• Adheres to and ensures GMP’s regarding food contact packaging as it pertains to the employee. 
• Adheres to and ensures Thrives food safety, product defense standards and quality objectives complies with all SQF system requirements.