Pet Food R&D Scientist — Consumer‑Driven Innovations

General Mills; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive program

401(k) match

Health plans

Time-off program

Training & development

Job summary

General Mills is seeking a Research & Development Scientist, Pet Food at the James Ford Bell Technical Center in Minneapolis, MN. The program offers two to three experiences in early career development, with emphasis on data analysis, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.

You will work on consumer-first pet food products, collaborating across teams to drive quality, safety, and commercialization while building technical depth and business acumen.

Qualifications

• Pursuing advanced degree in Animal Science or related field with strong academic record.
• Expected graduation Winter 2026 or Spring 2027.
• Demonstrated leadership in academic projects or prior work.

Responsibilities

• Create new products with consumer-first design emphasis.
• Improve existing products and optimize formulas for pet and pet parent appeal, manufacturing, and cost.
• Utilize animal science knowledge to develop remarkable products.
• Champion food safety, pet safety, and product quality from design to production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to grow the business.
• Develop understanding of pet food development through pilot plant trials.
• Engage external partners to improve efficiency and identify new capabilities.
• Interact with pet parents and customers to gain insights and translate into concepts.
• Develop technical depth and business acumen; apply digital tools to accelerate learning.
• Solve technical problems leveraging digital tools.
• Impact people’s lives and communities through product innovations.

Skills

Strong academic record

Results-driven

Adaptability

Curiosity

Leadership experience

Interpersonal and communication skills

Education

MS/PhD in Animal Science or Animal Nutrition or related

Graduating Winter 2026 or Spring 2027

Job description

General Mills is seeking a Research & Development Scientist, Pet Food at the James Ford Bell Technical Center in Minneapolis, MN. The program offers two to three experiences in early career development, with emphasis on data analysis, project management, and cross-functional collaboration.

You will work on consumer-first pet food products, collaborating across teams to drive quality, safety, and commercialization while building technical depth and business acumen.