Product Development Manager – Pet Food

Where A-Players Thrive.

We’re an employee-owned, vertically-integrated builder of some of America’s most popular health & wellness brands. With over 1,400 team members across multiple companies, we create best-in-class products that help make the world healthier and happier. Our creative content educates the world on making smarter health choices, while the brands we own generate over $1 billion of revenue annually. Learn more about our brands.

We’re Looking For A: Product Development Manager – Pet Food to develop new and innovative food & treats in the companion animal category for multiple brands across Golden Hippo’s portfolio, with primary focus on freeze-dried and air-dried formats.

Location: Remote, HQ in Woodland Hills CA

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Gather input from a variety of internal and external sources to define product concepts.
• Guide product definition, planning and implementation efforts.
• Lead product development initiatives utilizing knowledge of animal nutrition and animal feed requirements, user and competitive research, and trend analysis across all phases of the product development lifecycle.
• Work cross-functionally to execute product development plans.
• Responsible for project timelines (including Packaging) & keeping the process moving, ensuring all key milestones are met.
• Proactively follows up with vendors on project statuses, manages product development timeline, communicates any changes, additional details and/or risks.
• Source raw ingredient and manufacturing suppliers.
• Negotiate costs based on knowledge of production processes and raw materials.
• Manage the development of new products, ensuring compliance with all testing requirements needed as set by Regulatory and Quality Assurance.
• Manage the modification and further innovation of existing products.
• Keep current on emerging technology and trends.

Qualifications (Note: We strongly encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick ALL of these boxes.):

• BS/MS in animal nutrition or life sciences preferred, BS required
• 5+ years of relevant product development experience in the pet food industry. 
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Expertise in developing freeze-dried and air-dried pet food and treat formats (preferred) 
• Proficiency with formulation software.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and people skills, attention to detail, ability to work with & lead teams
• In depth knowledge of pet food category, animal feed and/or animal health science
• Successfully developed/launched pet food products. Specialty in freeze-dried and air-dried formats a plus.
• Successfully analyzed problems which require an in-depth understanding of animal feed regulations (AAFCO), pet manufacturing and animal nutrition or health sciences
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Golden Perks & Benefits: 

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage – We cover 100% of premiums for medical, dental, and vision plans for employee-only plans.
• Through our charity sponsorships, you can make a positive impact on communities worldwide. We’ve donated over $6.1 million to date. 
• We match up to 3.5% of your 401k contributions, ensuring your retirement savings grow alongside your career. 
• 6 paid sick and mental health days, an Employee Assistance Program, free weekly yoga and meditation classes, and additional mental health benefits, because we take a holistic approach to your well-being.
• Invest in your future with our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, where company contributions fund your retirement plan with company stock. Learn more.
• Professional development opportunities with mentorship, continuous learning programs, and performance-based pay increases, empowering you to progress and excel in your career. 
• Tuition reimbursement program, which reimburses eligible tuition expenses up to specified amounts, empowering you to invest in your ongoing growth and development. 
• Work towards our collective goals and earn up to 2 extra weeks of pay each month, based on the achievement of KPIs. 
• Celebrate your accomplishments with our Win of the Week, Spot Bonus, Work Anniversary, and Shout-Outs programs, where your hard work is not only valued but also acknowledged and rewarded. 
• Reimbursements for a portion of personal cell phone and internet usage for eligible employees. 
• For those coming into our Woodland Hills, CA office, you’ll find a fully stocked kitchen and a free on-site gym. 
• Virtual and in-person company events, like our annual holiday party, happy hours, and virtual cooking nights, designed to cultivate connections and enhance work-life balance.

To read more about our Perks & Benefits, click here.

The base salary range is $106,200.00-$141,700.00, plus annual & monthly KPI bonus potential.

The posted salary range in this job posting reflects data based on California's cost of labor analysis. This salary range is subject to change per state; please click here to find the pay differential in your state of residence if the role is remote. 

Salary is based on a wide range of factors that include relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications, and geographical location.

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We will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

A Note to Recruiting Agencies: At Golden Hippo, we handle all hiring through our internal Talent Acquisition team. Occasionally, we might use staffing or recruiting agencies to support our internal team in finding the right candidates. Agencies are not authorized to contact our hiring teams directly to present candidates. Our internal Talent Acquisition team is responsible for all candidate presentations to our hiring managers. Golden Hippo will need written approval and a signed agreement before submitting any candidate info for a specific job opening. Without this, we won’t pay any fees for placements. Thank you for your understanding.

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