Animal Nutritionist (Pet Food)

Position: Animal Nutritionist (Pet Food Formulation Specialist)
Work Set-up: WFH
Department: Research & Product Development
Reports To: Product Manager/ R&D Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Animal Nutritionist to join our team and lead the formulation of high-quality, nutritionally balanced pet food products. This role is pivotal in designing and optimizing complete and balanced diets for dogs and cats, ensuring alignment with companion animal physiology, nutritional science, and market trends. You will be instrumental in driving innovation and excellence in feed formulation that meets both regulatory standards and pet owner expectations.

Key Responsibilities
Feed Formulation & Nutritional Design
Formulate and optimize complete and balanced diets for dogs and cats across different life stages, activity levels, and health needs.

Use formulation software to develop cost-effective and high-performing recipes aligned with nutritional guidelines (AAFCO, FEDIAF, etc.).

Analyze raw materials for nutritional value, digestibility, and functional performance to support optimal ingredient selection.

Product Development & Innovation
Collaborate with R&D and product development teams to create new and improved pet food formulations that reflect evolving science, pet preferences, and brand positioning.

Evaluate ingredient interactions and matrix effects to ensure product efficacy, palatability, and stability.

Support the development of specialized diets (e.g., hypoallergenic, weight control, functional) based on specific health and wellness objectives.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance
Ensure all formulations and product specifications meet regulatory and safety standards, including labeling compliance.

Conduct quality control checks on incoming ingredients, in-process products, and final products to uphold product consistency and safety.

Document and maintain formulation data, ingredient specifications, and quality reports.

Research, Trends & Technical Support
Stay abreast of the latest nutritional research, ingredient innovations, and pet food industry trends.

Conduct feeding trials, palatability tests, and digestibility studies to validate product performance.

Serve as a subject matter expert to support internal teams (marketing, sales, customer care) with scientific product knowledge and technical documentation.

Supplier & Stakeholder Collaboration
Work with procurement and supply partners to evaluate and select high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients.

Contribute to educational content, presentations, and training programs for internal and external stakeholders, including veterinarians and retail partners.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Food Science, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications in Pet Nutrition are highly preferred.

Minimum of 3–5 years of hands-on experience in pet food formulation or animal nutrition, preferably in a commercial pet food company.

Proficiency in formulation software (e.g., Brill, Concept5, Bestmix) and nutritional analysis tools.

Strong knowledge of AAFCO, FEDIAF, and other relevant global nutritional standards and regulatory frameworks.

Proven ability to develop innovative, market-responsive formulations aligned with performance, palatability, and regulatory goals.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex nutritional science into practical insights for cross-functional teams.

Analytical and detail-oriented mindset with a passion for improving pet health and wellness through science-based nutrition.