About Us:

Join Hartz, where our love for pets drives everything we do. With over 95 years of commitment to pet care excellence, we are a trusted household name across the United States. Innovation is at the heart of our mission as we continuously strive to provide products that nurture the special bond between pets and their owners, ensuring they experience nothing but Unconditional Love.

As leaders in the pet care industry, we are dedicated to pioneering advancements that enhance the well-being of pets, leading to happier, healthier, and longer lives. Our success is fueled by the passion and dedication of our diverse team members, who bring their unique perspectives and talents to every aspect of our work.

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and supportive work environment where individuals from all backgrounds and identities are valued and empowered to thrive. At Hartz, your contributions matter, whether collaborating in the office or embracing the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement. Together, we empower our employees and furry companions to make a meaningful impact within our company and beyond. Join us in shaping the future of pet care and experience the joy of making a difference, one pet at a time.

What We Offer ...

• Hybrid work schedule (3 days in-office and 2 days remote)
• Competitive compensation and 401(k) match with immediate vesting
• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Life & Disability Insurance
• Generous PTO, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and other perks
• A casual and pet-friendly work environment. You can bring your pet to work!
• Opportunity to learn and develop

The Role ...

We are seeking a creative and innovative Senior Scientist with a background in nutrition science to join our research and development team. You will play a leading role in spearheading and contributing to product development projects focused on cats and dogs, from conceptualization to market launch. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee the commercialization process of new product initiatives, leveraging expertise in sound scientific principles, leadership capabilities, business acumen, and in-depth knowledge of the pet nutrition industry. Integral to this role is an active involvement in innovation, not limited to conceptualization but extending to the practical implementation of ideas through adept ingredient selection and utilization.

A successful candidate will possess a combination of scientific prowess, team management skills, and a keen understanding of market demands to develop nutrition and wellness products tailored specifically for the needs of cats and/or dogs. This position is located at our Secaucus, NJ office, and has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule.

Your Responsibilities ...

• Drive the identification, development, evaluation, and commercialization of new products and line extensions, ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets
• Collaborate with in-house manufacturing and co-manufacturers to develop processes that will meet product design, concept, nutrition, and quality standards
• Formulate nutritional products for cats and dogs (e.g. treats) and utilize formulation software to manage data/documentation for raw materials, formulas, and finished products
• Work with marketing to interpret and leverage consumer research data to develop products that align with consumer and pet needs
• Assess product characteristics (e.g. texture), and innovate to create new or improved products, utilizing ingredients and processes effectively
• Investigate new raw material options, partner with co-manufacturers to procure them for the scaling-up phase, and coordinate factory trial schedules
• Conduct on-site visits to suppliers for trials, confirming product development and manufacturing conditions, and participate in production runs to ensure products meet specifications
• Develop and issue specifications for finished products and raw materials
• Keep abreast with emerging technologies through literature searches, technical meetings, industry conferences, and training sessions
• Design stability studies to assess and recommend shelf-life for finished products
• Develop biological feeding tests to ensure palatability and efficacy of products with pets
• Design protocols for testing products in a home use environment
• Actively participate as a member of cross-functional teams and departmental activities, including meetings, committees, and administrative tasks
• Mentor junior scientists, providing guidance and support in their professional development

You'll Need ...

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Processing, Food Engineering or Animal Science (Master's degree preferred)
• 5+ years of R&D product development experience in pet food, treats or animal feed; knowledge of cat and dog nutrition a plus
• Previous involvement in formulation development, conducting stability studies, and establishing ingredient and finished product specifications, particularly in areas such as cereal, animal proteins, vegetable proteins, and functional sources
• Experience in processing of animal food, feed, and treats preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Strong time management skills coupled with demonstrated leadership abilities, adept troubleshooting capabilities, excellent interpersonal skills, and adaptability to change
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally (approximately twice a quarter domestically, once a year international)