R&D Project Leader - Pet Food & Formulations

Simmons Foods; Siloam Springs (AR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Simmons Foods is seeking a senior R&D professional to lead product development and process optimization across multiple projects. You will mentor teams, manage the full development cycle from concept to commercialization, and coordinate plant tests to ensure successful implementation.

The role requires strong communication, leadership, and data analysis skills, with travel up to 25% and a focus on pet food innovation and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Meat Science, Engineering or related degree.
• 5 years experience in product development and technical services in pet food; leadership qualities are expected.
• Knowledge of food science, animal nutrition and food formulation is a plus.
• Strong data entry skills and excellent computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite are required.
• Flexibility and leadership to work across teams and projects, with travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Leads identification, recommendation and qualification of process/formulation development capabilities for projects.
• Develops, bench tests, scales-up and commercializes new processes/products per project brief.
• Coordinates pilot plant tests and tests with customers/suppliers; ensures project ownership and cost considerations.
• Maintains awareness of patents and compliance with evolving regulations across countries.
• Travel domestically to multiple facilities or sites—approximately 25%.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Microsoft Office

Data entry

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science/Animal Nutrition/Animal Science/Meat Science/Engineering

Tools

Concept 5

AutoCad

IQS

JDE

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Simmons Foods is seeking a senior R&D professional to lead product development and process optimization across multiple projects. You will mentor teams, manage the full development cycle from concept to commercialization, and coordinate plant tests to ensure successful implementation.

The role requires strong communication, leadership, and data analysis skills, with travel up to 25% and a focus on pet food innovation and regulatory compliance.