R&D Manager - Sustainable Pet Care Solutions
Are you a passionate leader in R&D with a strong background in FMCG and Food Science? This is an exciting opportunity to join a global leader in sustainable pet care solutions and spearhead innovation and growth across an expanding product portfolio.
About the Company
A trusted name in the pet care industry, this organisation is renowned for its sustainable, natural, and effective products, including cat litter, pet treats, small animal bedding, and bird food. Their commitment to pets and the environment drives ongoing investment in research and development, resulting in products that are loved by customers in over 20 countries worldwide.
Recent acquisitions and transformative growth have positioned the business for an exciting future. This role offers the opportunity to lead a talented team and work across multiple stakeholders to shape the next generation of sustainable pet care products.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Technical, you'll manage a skilled NPD team to deliver best-in-class solutions across various pet care categories. Collaborating with stakeholders from marketing, sales, and operations, you'll oversee the entire R&D process from ideation to commercialisation.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Team Leadership: Inspire, mentor, and grow a team of talented R&D professionals across multiple sites.
2. Innovation Pipeline: Drive and manage a robust stage-gate R&D process to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget.
3. Technical Excellence: Lead trials, develop formulations, and apply scientific methods to ensure commercial viability and compliance.
4. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams and external customers to align R&D efforts with business goals.
5. Quality & Safety: Promote a culture of safety and quality-first, ensuring all products meet regulatory and ethical standards.
About You
To succeed in this role, you'll be a natural leader with a genuine interest in pets and sustainability. Your coaching mindset and ability to foster collaboration will create a high-performing, positive team environment.
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
1. Tertiary qualification in Food Science or a related field.
2. R&D experience in an FMCG manufacturing environment.
3. Proven leadership skills with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing teams.
4. Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance technical and business objectives.
5. Experience in product formulation, trials, and the full R&D lifecycle.
What's on Offer:
1. A collaborative, supportive team culture where autonomy and trust are valued.
2. Opportunities for career progression within a fast-growing, innovative business.
3. Generous salary package with annual bonus potential and salary reviews.
4. A chance to shape sustainable pet care products loved by customers worldwide.
Location & Travel
Based in Helensvale, QLD, you'll manage local operations while supporting teams in Melbourne and across Australia. The role involves travel to Melbourne when required.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to join a company committed to revolutionising pet care sustainably. If you're ready to make an impact through technical innovation and leadership, we'd love to hear from you.
Please apply by uploading your current resume in Microsoft Word format only (.doc or .docx). If you would like to have a confidential discussion, please contact George Hall on +61 0468341514, quoting reference JN -012025-39163.
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