Research & Development Scientist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

KENT Worldwide™ is seeking a dynamic Senior Scientist of Innovation, Research & Development to lead cutting-edge product innovation in the pet category, while also collaborating across our human food and beverage lines. This leadership role will drive R&D initiatives, develop and test new ingredients, and mentor a talented team—all with a focus on delivering high-quality, safe, and effective products.

• This role will be based in Muscatine, Iowa. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate innovative design, development, and execution of research projects through literature review and scientific teamwork.
• Stay up to date through continued learning on industry developments and trends related to ingredients and ingredient functionality and identify new ingredients that can expand the litter and pet treat/supplement product lines.
• Design, oversee, and conduct experiments to develop and test new cat litter and pet food ingredients, analyze data to evaluate the performance and safety of different ingredients and the opportunity for using within pet litter products or expanding the litter portfolio.
• Leads the execution of design, optimization, verification, troubleshooting and validation of current and new techniques and provides input into the design, implementation and interpretation of experimental studies with respect to the pet product platforms.
• Provide technical leadership on projects from concept development through successful commercialization, interacting with production, quality, regulatory, sales, marketing, and technical services.
• Foster a culture of innovation by continually introducing ideas and product concepts for new products, quality improvements, and productivity.
• Familiarize and evaluate competitive products in the marketplace to determine market opportunities for new products and application recommendations for current products.
• Investigate product and process challenges, provide creative solutions using sound scientific techniques and data-based decision making to solve challenges in development and commercialization and ongoing product production.
• Collaborate internally with other departments, such as manufacturing, procurement and quality control, to ensure that the ingredients meet product specifications.
• Collaborate externally with suppliers and laboratories to extend our research capabilities.
• Troubleshoot with quality and operations on issues of customer complaints, product quality, ingredient quality or anything related to consumer feedback.
• Deliver timely and accurate analytical results and technical reports to support research projects, resolve customer complaints, benchmark competitive products, develop new products, improve existing products, and support various business teams.
• Analyze and interpret data using proven statistical methods to provide conclusions and recommendations for product development, problem-solving, and continuous product improvement.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Display team focus and collaboration in both innovating new products and ensuring current products are performing optimally.
• Perform other duties or special projects as needed.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors of Science degree with 10+ years of experience, a Master of Science degree is a plus
• Experience working with ingredients and consumer products is preferred
• Attention to detail and effective time management and project management skills are vital to meet deadlines
• Ability to manage and engage direct reports, along with leading a culture of collaboration
• 10+ years of experience in a research and development role, preferably in the consumer goods industries
• Experience leading and managing team members in R&D and innovation discipline
• Experience in developing new products and ideas that led to commercialization
• Experience communicating innovation and research to other groups in a manner that is understandable and leads to insights
• Experimental design and statistical analysis competency
• Demonstrated ability to use scientific instruments for measuring ingredient properties
• Knowledge of quality control and formulation in the pet or food products industry is a plus

TRAVEL EXPECTED:

• Some travel may be required - estimated 25% of the time or less
• Some international travel to customers or company divisions
• Travel for team meetings, other Kent campuses, technical meetings, conferences and training courses

OTHER:

• While this role is primarily in the office environment, there will be time spent in the plant laboratory and plant facility working with the R&D Scientist.