Our Product Development group focuses on delivering customer-centric innovations that are available only at PetSmart. This allows us to create products and solutions that our pet parents are asking for that they can’t find anywhere else. This team partners with Merchandising, Brand Management, Product Design & Integrity, and Global Sourcing to bring the product from vision to reality.

Hybrid Position:

This position may be considered Hybrid based on PetSmart’s FlexSmart policy and business needs. A Hybrid work arrangement is considered to be a blend of onsite and remote work activity. Associates with a Hybrid work arrangement have a work space at Phoenix Home Office and can be required to come onsite between 1-5 days a week as determined by leadership and based on business needs.

The Manager, Formulation is responsible for developing new propriety-branded pet products to drive customer loyalty, increase profitability, create competitive differentiation, and address merchandising assortment needs.  You will lead at least one strategic growth brand in formulation across several formats including dry and wet food, treats, supplements, litter, health and beauty pet product development from concept to launch based on consumer and pet needs, trends, concepts, and prior sales results. You will drive the development process and help to determine key category strategies along with Brand partner(s). You will have responsibility to develop new enhanced nutritional products and formulations and commercialize products at manufacturing sites.

Your goals and responsibilities will include:

• Proactively partners with external vendors on product development, project statuses, manages product development timeline, communicates any changes, additional details and/or risks to Manager and Leadership.
• Develop innovative formulated products and evaluate nutritional adequacy in formulated products.
• Responsible for formulation utilizing simulation tools (e.g. Concept 5) and vendor where applicable.
• Ability to spot trends, analyze competitive product and white space. Understands category pricing, & leverages customer needs to create winning strategies from ideation through commercialization.
• Responsible for product development project timelines & driving the process, ensuring all key milestones are met.
• Leads efforts to cost engineer formulations to achieve or exceed margin requirements provided by Brand Dev and Buyer; also maximizes profits in existing products.
• Formulates based on knowledge of production processes & raw materials.
• Responsible for product development of product in assigned area including assortment sheet, product brief, and sample management.
• Coordinates & creates materials for various meetings, from team concept brainstorming to cross-functional presentations.
• Create developmental specifications including formulation during initial Product Development.
• Review and approve all claims substantiation for formulated products.
• Conduct and manage ongoing studies to ensure products meet or exceed expectations to validate claims and ensure stability, palatability, and digestibility.
• Verify product names, ingredients, claims, and GA values to meet AAFCO requirements during the packaging label review process.
• Create specifications with product attributes and tolerances defined during the final product development stages.
• Manage full production start-up for product launches and partner with QA for on-going manufacturing and compliance product needs.
• Maintain and manage formulation changes and specifications for key proprietary ingredients.
• Domestic and International travel (up to 40-60%).

What you’ll bring to the table:

• Food Science, Nutrition, or Animal Science preferred or equivalent years’ experience in role. Advanced degree a plus.
• Demonstarted proficiency typically obtained with 5+ years’ experience including 3+ years demonstrated leadership in formulated product development.
• Experience in pet consumable or meat-based product development a plus.
• Experience in retail a plus.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Excellent, concise written and verbal communication
• Formulation simulation software knowledge (e.g. Genesis, Concept 5 or equivalent)
• Highly motivated problem solver and the drive to deliver objectives in a complex environment.
• Ability to plan, put together well thought out design of experiments, anticipate next steps and incorporate course corrections when hurdles appear.

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share.  These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• On-site Dog Park
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• On-site coffee bar
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
• If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area:  Welcome to Phoenix Guide

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.