Associate Developer - Product (Research and Development)

Who We Are At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the peoplewho touch our business and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!   What You Will Do  The Associate Research and Development Scientist will support Product Development Scientists in executing projects by assisting in experiments, collecting and recording experimental data, and communicating results to project lead by means of project updates, product cuttings, and laboratory reports. This position requires strong organization skills, technical aptitude, and the ability to work independently on assigned tasks while contributing to broader project objectives.   How You Will Make an Impact  Support the management of multiple projects by assisting in planning, execution, and timely completion of assigned project tasks under the guidance of other senior team members Demonstrate technical competence in supporting experimental work, testing protocols, and development activities for new or revised products Assist in transitioning products or processes from development into production by ensuring documentation, data and procedures meet quality and regulatory expectations Records, collates, evaluates, and interprets experimental data to support technical conclusions and recommendations Prepare and conduct meeting updates, product cuttings, presentations, shelf-life testing and cost analysis to project team members Participate in and support oral presentations and project meetings to share results, progress, and recommendations Support and participate in in-person plant trials Effectively organize R&D lab and R&D plant areas including cleaning equipment, inventory and stocking of supplies, ingredients and finished products Provide support to method development in on-site benchtop and nutritional labs Independently completes routine and moderately complex tasks while escalating issues, risks, or decisions as appropriate Senior Product Development Scientist will serve as back-up to this position   Agility and Innovation Support and operate standard lab equipment / techniques of moderate complexity Support lab, pilot plant or plant test runs   Relationships and People Complete assigned tasks and tabulate data for accuracy and trends Effectively interact with cross-function project teams internal and external through written and oral communications and maintain current understanding of overall project status Support the R&D team to make significant individual contributions to deliver goals and execute project plans   Work Location and Travel May travel 0-25% of the time, dependent on project and development location; including, but not limited to, Arkansas and Pennsylvania May at times be required to travel to training programs, test runs, to co-packers, ingredient, or equipment vendors, and/or other suppliers and testing facilities at odd hours This position is required onsite, with flexibility as needed   What You Will Bring Strong problem-solving skills Basic understanding of cat and dog nutrition required advanced knowledge of AAFCO and FEDIAF regulations preferred Ability to use standard lab equipment and conduct experimental procedures Ability to perform standardized and routine assignments involving a sequence of related operations with minimal supervision Computer skills with proficiency to construct moderately complex graphs and charts, record formulas, design presentations and evaluate statistical analysis modules Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment Strong verbal and written communication skills Ability to work in a team and adapt to dynamic work environment Responds well to changing priorities and quick turnaround projects Physically capable of handling or transporting goods (up to 40 lbs) Able to work with fresh raw meats and other food ingredients Must be able to withstand occasional cold temperatures (40° F)   Education/Skills High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree or certification in an area related to Food Science, Nutrition or Animal Science preferred Foundational understanding of meat and poultry science, meat microbiology, or pet food product development preferred General laboratory experience is required   What We Offer At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more! Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce: At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate, and preserve a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Disclaimers: We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas. Freshpet does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property o fFreshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.