Pet Food R&D & Product Development Scientist

Farmers Union Industries, LLC; Mitchell (SD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401K match

Job summary

Farmers Union Industries, LLC in Mitchell, SD is hiring a Research & Development / Product Development Scientist to lead formulation for wet pet foods and drive product commercialization. You will collaborate with QA, operations, and sales to optimize cost, quality, and process efficiency while ensuring compliance with AAFCO, FDA, FSMA, SQF, GMP, and HACCP standards.

This role requires 3–7+ years in pet or human food development and a relevant science degree.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; associates considered with significant experience.
• 3-7+ years of experience in pet or human food product development, formulation, commercialization, and/or process improvement.
• Experience with thermal processing, canned foods, meat systems, sauces, gravies, emulsions, or retort systems (preferred).
• Strong cross-functional communication and record-keeping.
• Ability to work in a facility processing multiple proteins including beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, rabbit, kangaroo, and egg.
• Must be 18 years of age or older for insurance purposes.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation and reformulation efforts for wet pet food products.
• Develop samples to support customer requests and commercialization efforts; revise samples as requested.
• Evaluate ingredient/supplier alternatives and formulation adjustments to improve cost, quality, yield, and operations.
• Improve product appearance, texture, viscosity, palatability, and consistency.
• Ensure formulations meet AAFCO, FDA, FSMA, SQF, GMP, HACCP and customer requirements.
• Reduce reliance on external formulation partners by building internal technical capability.
• Support shelf-life studies, product validation work, and packaging evaluations.
• Maintain organized records of formulations, testing, project timelines, and trial results.
• Partner with QA to investigate product deviations, complaints, and process inconsistencies.
• Assist sales and operations during customer meetings, launches, and commercialization discussions.
• Work with operations to improve product consistency, process capability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Maintain regular and predictable on-site attendance.

Skills

Advanced written and verbal沟通

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food, animal, or meat science, nutrition, chemistry, biology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Farmers Union Industries, LLC in Mitchell, SD is hiring a Research & Development / Product Development Scientist to lead formulation for wet pet foods and drive product commercialization. You will collaborate with QA, operations, and sales to optimize cost, quality, and process efficiency while ensuring compliance with AAFCO, FDA, FSMA, SQF, GMP, and HACCP standards.

This role requires 3–7+ years in pet or human food development and a relevant science degree.