R&D SCIENTIST at Kent Pet Group in Muscatine, Iowa

Job Description:

Are you ready to join a US Best Managed Company?! KENT® Pet Group (KPG) is seeking a highly motivated Research and Development Scientist to join our team and focus on optimizing the quality of our cat litter products through the development and testing of new or improved ingredients. As a Research and Development Scientist, you will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with other departments to ensure that our cat litter products meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and conduct experiments to develop and test new cat litter ingredients


• Analyze data to evaluate the performance and safety of different ingredients


• Collaborating with other departments, such as manufacturing, procurement and quality control, to ensure that the ingredients meet product specifications


• Staying up to date with industry developments and trends related to ingredients and ingredient functionality


• Assume technical leadership of assigned projects from concept development through successful commercialization. Recommend new product concepts to take to development.


• Fosters an innovation culture by continually introducing ideas and product concepts for new products, quality improvements, and productivity


• Investigate for product and process challenges, provide creative solutions using sound scientific techniques and data-based decision making to solve challenges in development and commercialization


• Work across functions to integrate research opportunities within entire organization


• Familiarize and evaluate competitive products in the marketplace to determine market opportunities for new products and application recommendations for current products


• Display team focus and collaboration


• Maintaining accurate records of experiments and results


• Perform other duties or special projects as needed

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field, with a focus on ingredients

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2+ years of experience in a research and development role, preferably in the pet products or consumer goods industries


• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment


• Knowledge of quality control and safety practices in the pet products industry is a plus

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