Research and Development Manager

Job Description:

At Chewy, we believe great work starts with great people!

At Chewy, our mission is to be the most trusted and convenient destination for pet parents and partners everywhere. We are passionate about creating innovative products and experiences that strengthen our connection with customers and improve the lives of pets and pet parents. As part of our Private Brands team, you'll have the opportunity to shape distinctive products and experiences that drive differentiation, growth, and long-term brand equity.

Your Opportunity:

The Research & Development organization is responsible for translating customer needs, scientific advancements, nutrition expertise, and business priorities into differentiated consumable products that strengthen customer trust and create lasting value for pets and pet parents. The team brings together expertise across Innovation & Product Strategy, Product Development, formulation science, ingredient technologies, and commercialization to develop products that balance nutritional integrity, product performance, manufacturability, regulatory compliance, and customer value.

Working closely with Brand Strategy, Category Management, Marketing, Healthcare, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Sourcing, Manufacturing partners, and executive leadership, the team plays a critical role in shaping innovation roadmaps, product pipelines, and long-term portfolio growth. Success in this role requires balancing product development requirements with commercialization timelines while incorporating innovation to support continued business growth.

What You’ll Do:

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead end-to-end product development from opportunity identification and concept creation through commercialization and launch.
• Formulate products, design experiments, attend test runs, interpret chemistry results, feed study results and statistical analysis to ensure products are developed within nutrition guidelines and project success criteria.
• Create label information including ingredient lists, feeding guidelines, guaranteed analysis and substantiated label claims.
• Troubleshoot and resolve formulation challenges within the R&D team and with cross-functional teams.
• Champion customer-centered innovation by ensuring customer needs, pet health insights, and scientific evidence remain primary inputs into product development and portfolio planning.
• Support future innovation planning and product opportunities that strengthen portfolio growth and competitive differentiation.
• Be instrumental as a product lifecycle guardian by ensuring existing products are competitive in the marketplace through customer feedback and market analysis.
• Drive continuous improvement in scientific practices, product development processes, commercialization approaches, and customer acceptance.

What You’ll Need:

• BS in Science (e.g., Food Science, Meat Science, Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry, Packaging).
• 5+ years of experience developing pet food or human food products from concept through commercialization.
• Strong knowledge of USDA, FDA regulations, AAFCO regulations, and regulatory requirements related to pet or human food products.
• Strong understanding of formulation science, ingredient technologies, manufacturing processes, quality systems, and commercialization.
• Customer-first orientation, with demonstrated ability to use customer insights and anticipate evolving customer and business needs when making product decisions.
• Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to prioritize the highest-impact work, steward company resources responsibly, and remain accountable for commitments and professional growth.
• Track record of delivering high-quality results with urgency by identifying and escalating risks early, adapting to change, and simplifying work where possible.
• Ability to respectfully challenge decisions when needed, encourage constructive dialogue, embrace being challenged, and fully support decisions once made.
• Readiness to operate in the details through understanding relevant business metrics while using technical data, judgment, and situational context to make decisions.
• Curiosity and willingness to shape the future by exploring bold, innovative ideas, taking calculated risks, learning from outcomes, challenging the status quo, and embracing change.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.

Bonus (if applicable):

• Master’s in food science or equivalent discipline.
• Knowledge of USDA and FDA regulations as they relate to standards of identity, ingredients, nutrition labeling and label claims would be a plus.
• Experience partnering with regulatory agencies, ingredient suppliers, contract manufacturers, or external research organizations.

What You’ll Get:

Chewy is committed to equal opportunity. We value and embrace diversity and inclusion of all Team Members. Our salary range for this position is competitive and based on experience and qualifications. In addition to a competitive compensation package, Team Members may be eligible for a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a 401(k) with company matching, paid parental leave, employee assistance programs, paid time off, and Team Member discounts. Chewy is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.

Chewy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need an accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, or if you need a religious accommodation, please contact [email protected].

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