Senior Manager, Research and Development (R&D)

Role Description:

We are seeking a seasoned and innovative Senior Manager of R&D to lead scientific and technical innovation efforts that support the development of high-quality, efficacious animal health supplements. This role will play a pivotal part in achieving our aggressive growth targets by driving R&D excellence and translating science into scalable product innovation.

This is a hands-on leadership position for a technically proficient, detail-oriented individual with strong cross-functional communication and demonstrated project management skills. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of scientific rigor and commercial execution and can manage complex development pipelines from concept through commercialization.

Responsibilities:

• Product Development Leadership: Lead the design, formulation, testing, and optimization of new and existing animal supplement products with a focus on efficacy, palatability, and manufacturability.
• Innovation Pipeline Management: Support the creation and execution of a multi-year innovation roadmap aligned with corporate strategy, leveraging both internal research and external collaboration.
• Scientific & Regulatory Integrity: Ensure all R&D work adheres to scientific best practices and complies with relevant regulatory, quality and safety standards, including AAFCO, NASC, and FDA guidelines.
• Project Management Excellence: Manage multiple concurrent projects with accountability for timelines, budgets, and resource planning. Utilize formal project management tools and frameworks to track and communicate progress.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with sales, marketing, finance, regulatory, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to ensure the successful development and launch of new products.
• Technology & Ingredient Scouting: Monitor emerging industry trends in animal nutrition, functional ingredients, and health science to proactively the competitive landscape and identify innovation opportunities.

Organizational Relationships:

• Key internal partners: Product management, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Regulatory, Quality assurance, Manufacturing and Fulfillment teams
• External interfaces include: University researchers, 3rd party labs, contract partners, industry associations, regulatory agencies

Education and Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in R&D within the animal health, animal nutrition, pet food, or supplement industry.
• Experience in a mid-sized or growth-stage company preferred.
• Advanced degree (MS) in Animal Science, Nutrition, Veterinary Science, or a related technical field required.

Technical Skills Requirements:

• Proven track record of taking products from concept through commercialization, with a strong grasp of formulation science and functional ingredient development.
• Deep understanding of regulatory and compliance standards specific to the animal supplement market.
• Strong project management capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex development timelines, and drive decision-making under pressure.
• Translate complex scientific and technical topics into clear, concise insights for stakeholders.
• Capable of risk assessment in new product development - including formulation risks, raw material variability, and claims substantiation.
• Proven experience leading interdisciplinary teams across regions, species and product lines.

Physical Position Requirements:

• The employee may occasionally be required to lift to 30 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and type.
• The employee is frequently required to read and sit.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and drive.
• This individual is occasionally required to push, grasp, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.

Salary and Benefits:

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $142,000.00 - $205,000.00. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the base pay target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

This position is also eligible for short-term incentive compensation and long-term incentives.

In addition to compensation, Zoetis offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports the physical, emotional and financial wellbeing of our colleagues and their families including healthcare and insurance benefits beginning on day one, a 401K plan with a match and profit-sharing contribution from Zoetis, and 4 weeks of vacation.

Visit zoetisbenefits.com to learn more.

About Zoetis:

At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues' careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.

Global Job Applicant Privacy Notice