Head of R&D
Head of R&D
Nîmes, Southern France (hybrid, 3 days on site)
Competitive Salary + Benefits
Are you a pet food R&D specialist ready to lead a team and own an entire development function?
Do you want your formulation work to go straight from the lab to the factory floor and onto shelves worldwide?
On offer is the chance to lead the Pet Food R&D function at a global animal health business. You'll have direct influence over product development, a team of your own and a close working relationship with the manufacturing site.
This company is an international animal health group that is growing its Pet Food & Pet Care division.
In this role, you will lead a team of 5 people and own pet food product development from concept to launch. You'll also manage the existing portfolio through reformulations, raw material substitutions and supply chain changes. You'll be the main link between R&D, the factory, QA and the industrial teams.
The ideal candidate has solid pet food R&D and formulation experience. You'll know how products behave at scale and be comfortable working closely with production teams. Management experience is a plus, but clear leadership potential will also be considered.
This role is ideal for an R&D Manager, Senior Formulation Scientist or Product Development Lead from a pet food or companion animal nutrition business who wants a bigger remit and ownership of a full function.
The Role
Lead, manage and develop a Pet Food R&D team of 5 people
Own new product development for dog and cat food from concept to launch
Manage reformulations and raw material substitutions in response to supply chain changes
Split your time roughly 60% leadership and project oversight, 40% hands-on technical and manufacturing work
Who We're Looking For
Experience in pet food R&D, product development or formulation
Hands-on experience developing pet food products
A track record of reformulation, ingredient substitution and manufacturing support
Experience working directly with factory, production and QA teams
People management experience, or clear evidence that you're ready to step into it
Background from pet food manufacturers, companion animal nutrition or veterinary nutrition businesses
What's On Offer
Competitive salary + benefits
Leadership of a full Pet Food R&D function at a global animal health company
Hybrid working, with 3 days on site and 2 remote
Close links with an on-site manufacturing facility, so you'll see your products go to market
A senior role with real influence over product strategy and portfolio development
Based in the South of France
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