Wet Food Development Lead

Champion Petfoods; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Champion Petfoods is seeking a Wet Food Development Lead to enhance their innovative pet food products. This role focuses on developing wet formulations, ensuring quality, and working closely with external partners. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in pet nutrition and project management, driven by a passion for high-quality pet food.

Benefits

Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

Continuing Education opportunities

Competitive wages and RRSP matching

Free Parking

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in pet food development focusing on wet products.
• Experience with co-manufacturing partners.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes in pet food.

Responsibilities

• Develop wet pet food formulations with a focus on compliance and palatability.
• Serve as primary liaison with co-manufacturing partners.
• Conduct research on new ingredients and technologies for product improvement.

Skills

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Pet Nutrition Knowledge

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Changing the World, One Kibble at a Time

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Wet Food Development Lead to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food crafter with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. From our humble beginnings, founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN and ACANA brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry. Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime, provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company. Being a partner to the communities that surround us – and the environment that sustains us – are top priorities.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here’s the scoop - Summary

The Wet Pet Food Development lead will play a critical role in developing and optimizing wet pet food products. This position requires a deep understanding of pet nutrition, ingredient functionality, and product formulation. A significant focus will be on cultivating and maintaining robust relationships with external co-manufacturing partners to ensure the successful production of high-quality wet pet food.

The Wet Food Development Lead will be based out of our Morinville Research and Innovation (R&I) Centre and will shift over to our facility in Acheson once the team move is complete. This role will also occasionally work out of our Edmonton office and has a hybrid schedule between home and office.

What a typical day looks like :

• Develop and optimize wet pet food formulations, ensuring palatability, and compliance with industry standards.
• Work with formulation team to guarantee nutritional adequacy.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison between Champion Petfoods and co-manufacturing partners, fostering collaborative relationships and ensuring clear, effective communication.
• Oversee the product development and production process with co-manufacturing partners, troubleshooting issues and ensuring consistent product quality and performance.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including quality assurance, project management, and supply chain, to drive product development from concept to commercialization.
• Conduct thorough research and evaluation of new raw materials and new technologies for potential use in wet pet food products.
• Perform detailed wet food characterization and food performance analysis to ensure product excellence.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and advancements in pet nutrition to maintain the company's innovative edge.
• Prepare and maintain detailed documentation such as specifications, and production processes.
• Establish sensory evaluation panels to assess product performance and make necessary adjustments.
• Provide ingredient recommendations to support optimal product formulation and performance.
• Support the development of packaging and labeling to ensure regulatory compliance and appeal to pet owners.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Animal Science, Food Chemistry, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in pet food development, with a focus on wet pet food products.
• Proven experience working with co-manufacturing partners and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Strong knowledge of pet nutrition, ingredient functionality, canned food, and food safety standards.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong external partnerships.
• Passion for pets and a commitment to producing high-quality pet food products.

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety : a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings : Competitive Wages that give financial peace of mind, RRSP with Company, and donation matching.
• Industry Competitive Benefits : Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education : In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.
• Quality : a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks : Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.