<p>Description</p> <p>Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT), is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of high-quality branded products for the pet, lawn and garden markets. We are seeking a creative, driven, and forward-thinking R&D Product Development Manager to help shape the future of our Pet Health & Wellness portfolio, including the ADAMS (adamspetcare.com), Comfort Zone (comfortzone.com), and Sulfodene (sulfodene.com) brands. In this role, you will lead and coordinate the development of new products focused on dog and cat health, nutrition, and behavior, guiding projects from initial concept through completion. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare each product for federal or state regulatory approval, licensing or registration. While we are open to all candidates who live within 30 miles of a Central location, we do prioritize candidates in Chicago, where many of the marketing team is located or Dallas where most of Research and Development team is located. If you are ready to take the next exciting step in your research and development career, we'd love to hear from you!</p> <p>Please see our website for additional company information - www.central.com</p> <p>KEY RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <ul> <li>Lead the development of new Pet Health & Wellness products from concept through commercialization, partnering with cross-functional teams including R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, Legal, Procurement, and Manufacturing. </li><li>Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and milestones to ensure on-time execution and clear communication across all stakeholders. </li><li>Design and oversee stability studies to validate product shelf life, ingredient stability, and label; select and manage external testing laboratories as needed. </li><li>Provide technical expertise to support product claims, labeling, and marketing materials before and after product launch, in collaboration with Marketing, Regulatory, and Legal teams. </li><li>Conduct literature reviews on active ingredients to support product development and substantiation of claims, particularly for supplement and/or pheromone products. </li><li>Collaborate with New Business Development and Marketing to investigate new product concepts and innovation opportunities for U.S. and international markets. </li><li>Ensure products meet internal quality standards and comply with applicable federal, state, and international regulatory requirements by partnering closely with Regulatory Affairs and cross-functional teams, and by supporting quality and compliance initiatives, including SOP development and continuous improvement efforts. </li><li>Stay current on scientific, regulatory, and industry trends through professional publications, continuing education, and scientific conferences. </li><li>Provide technical support to Consumer Care by assisting with responses to customer inquiries related to product efficacy, usage, and concerns; develop accurate, science-based guidance and leverage consumer feedback to inform continuous improvement, quality enhancements, and future product innovation. </li></ul> <p>QUALIFICATIONS</p> <p>Technical & Regulatory Expertise</p> <ul> <li>Familiarity with AAFCO and NASC regulations governing animal feeds, supplements, and feed ingredients strongly preferred. </li><li>Experience supporting regulated products, including labeling, claims substantiation, and compliance activities. </li></ul> <p>Skills & Competencies</p> <ul> <li>Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. </li><li>Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, including non-technical teams, to achieve project objectives. </li><li>Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database systems. </li><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners. </li><li>Highly detail-oriented, organized, and results-driven, with a strong commitment to quality and compliance. </li></ul> <p>MINIMUM EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION</p> <ul> <li>Master of Science (MS) in Animal Science or a related discipline required; PhD or DVM preferred. </li><li>5-10 years of relevant experience in research, product development, and/or project management within regulated animal health, nutrition, or pet care industries, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. </li><li>Working knowledge of pet nutrition and/or animal behavior. </li></ul> <p>WORKING CONDITIONS</p> <ul> <li>Comfortable, office environment; frequent use of phone and PC; required overnight business travel approximately 10% of the time after onboarding </li><li>Laboratory and on-location field sites. Safety apparel is required in the lab or production areas, i.e. safety glasses (always), lab coat, gloves, respirators or dust masks (as appropriate). </li></ul> <p>POSITION INFORMATION</p> <p>This position pays approximately $110,000 - $140,000 annually, based on prior related product development experience in animal health, nutrition & behavior, geographic location, and academic background. This position may also be eligible for an annual discretionary management incentive.</p> <p>BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS</p> <ul> <li>Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance </li><li>Free Life and Disability Insurance </li><li>Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts </li><li>401k with 3% company match </li><li>Paid vacation, holidays and sick time </li><li>Employee Assistance Program </li><li>Access to thousands of free online courses </li><li>Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more! </li><li>Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications) </li><li>Referral Program with cash bonus </li><li>Access to on-demand pay </li><li>Paid parental leave </li></ul> <p>Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro, Aqueon, Best Bully Sticks, Cadet, C&S, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Kaytee, Nylabone, Pennington, Sevin and Zo?con. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.</p> <p>We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.</p> <p>#LI-CM1</p>