Director of Research & Development

At PBI-Gordon Companies, and our subsidiaries PBI-Gordon Corporation, Pegasus Laboratories, and PetAg, Inc, our priority is people, pets, and the places they go. As employee owners, we support each other in building our careers as well as our companies. Our foundation is rooted in integrity, innovation, partnership, and pride. Come grow with us!

Position Summary :

The PetAg Head of R&D is responsible for leading development efforts for new products, product improvements and new or improved manufacturing processes. Additionally, this role will have direct responsibility for leading product development through a formal stage gate process. This position will require proven ability to work with geographically diverse cross- functional team members and third-party resources throughout the R&D process, resulting in collaboratively generated innovative outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities / Activities :

• Manage and oversee the development of a robust product pipeline of pet supplement products to support the strategic plan.
• Manage and set budget expectations for the department.
• Develop a strong team that can manage deadlines and budget expectations, while creating innovative and high value products to meet market and customer needs.
• Work cross-functionally with marketing and sales to understand market and customer needs and with Operations to ensure alignment with production strategy.
• Use a rigorous stage gate process to ensure appropriate project management.
• Develop a change control process for tracking ingredients, formula, packaging, process changes throughout the manufacturing and development ecosystem.
• Develop raw materials standards and specifications to provide to procurement for securing ingredient inputs.
• Manage new product development from prototype creation through to scale up and commercialization.
• Plan, execute and supervise new product development trials either in house or with contract manufacturing partners.
• Perform appropriate testing to substantiate product claims, food safety requirements, nutritional guarantees and shelf-life stability.
• Oversee the planning and execution of internal product reviews, technical investigations, formulation and process improvement, new ingredient / processing technologies and LCF (Least Cost Formulation) management.
• Lead and oversight of Quality and Regulatory functions regarding :
• label and testing requirements for new and existing products,
• adherence to AAFCO, USDA, FDA and FSMA guidelines,
• compliance with international product registration requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise to support the development and delivery of educational content and collateral both internally and externally.

Qualifications

The pay range for this role considers a wide range of factors including but not limited to : skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, geographical location, and other organizational needs.

The estimated pay range for this role is $125,938 Min to $188,906 Max per year.

Additionally, you will be eligible to participate in a bonus incentive program associated with this specific role.

PBI-Gordon Companies and its subsidiaries are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week or more. Full-time employees will become eligible to participate in benefits on the first of the month following their start date, unless stated otherwise below. (Note : Interns, temporary or part-time employees, do not qualify for eligibility.)

Medical Insurance

We are committed to helping you and your dependents maintain health and wellness by offering voluntary, competitive medical insurance and prescription drug plan options.

Dental Insurance

Choose from two voluntary dental plans that are designed to help protect you and your dependents' oral health.

Vision Insurance

Our voluntary vision insurance plan is designed to help protect you and your dependents eye health. Coverage is available for eye exams, frames, lenses, and contact lenses. Employee owners are responsible for 100% of the cost of this plan.

Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

We offer a company-paid $50,000 life insurance policy with AD&D. You also have the opportunity to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for yourself, your spouse and / or your dependent children. The cost for this coverage is based on the amount you elect and your age.

Short- and Long-term Disability

Our company-paid short-term and long-term disability plans to provide income replacement in the event you are not able to work due to illness or injury. Short-term disability will provide 70% income replacement up to $1,350 per week and long-term disability will provide 60% income replacement up to $5,000 per month.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP Services are company paid to benefit all employee-owners and their families. EAP provides up to six free counseling sessions to help you and your family members manage life stressors, solve personal or relationship concerns, and achieve your goals.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Flexible Spending Plans offer employee-owners the option to set aside pre-tax monies into a medical reimbursement or dependent care account to help pay for out-of-pocket medical, dental or vision expenses or day care costs. The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS and adjusted annually. This is a use-it-or-lose-it account, meaning any funds remaining in the account following the close of the plan year will be forfeited.

Pet Insurance

We love our pets! Pet insurance options for your furry friends is offered through the ASPCA. Employee-owners can enroll and pay premiums directly to ASPCA.

Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off (PTO)

Everyone needs time off to rest and recharge! Paid time off includes Regular PTO, Personal PTO, and specified paid company holidays.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

We act like we own the company because we do! An ESOP provides employees with an ownership stake in the company. It's an additional form of compensation directly tied to PBI-Gordon Companies financial success. All regular employees are eligible to participate in the ESOP the first of the month following 30 days of service. PBI-Gordon Companies contributes approximately 18% of total compensation annually with a six-year vesting schedule. Our ESOP is more than a benefit, it is a key part of a culture, and it can provide significant rewards in retirement!

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Saving for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. We offer a 401(k)-retirement savings plan to assist employees with this important financial goal. New employee owners are eligible to participate the first of the month following 30 days of employment. We provide a company match of 100% up to 3% deferral with a three-year vesting schedule.

Fitness Reimbursement

We believe regular exercise helps improve overall health and job performance. PBI-Gordon will reimburse up to a maximum of $300 annually for gym / fitness memberships.

William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman Scholarship Fund

Children or grandchildren of employee-owners may apply for a scholarship under the William Everett & Mary Ellen Mealman scholarship fund. Applicants are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular / community activities.

Tuition Reimbursement

After one full year of employment, employee-owners are eligible for tuition reimbursement for bachelor's level coursework related to their current job or any future job offered at PBI-Gordon Companies.

Parental Leave

Company paid parental leave is offered to employee-owners following the birth of a child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption, foster care, or surrogacy. This policy will run concurrently with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, as applicable.

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Please see our CCPA disclosure for more information.

Employment is contingent upon and may not begin until the successful completion of a pre-employment background and drug screen.

Salary : $300 - $188,906