Position Details

The Research Leader will be responsible for leading a strategic and coordinated R&D project focused on nutritional specialty products and medicated feed additives. This role involves overseeing the research, development, to drive innovative solutions that enhance animal health and performance. The Research Leader will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, technical services, sales, business development, and regulatory affairs, to ensure the successful execution of research and development initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate research programs aimed at developing new nutritional specialty products and medicated feed additives.
• Collaborate with regional, product, and species leadership to identify opportunities for introducing new or existing products to the market
• Navigate and network with cross-functional teams to gather information, prioritize projects, and support global sales efforts
• Maintain proactive communication of research findings across functional groups and support the conversion of research results into marketing and training materials
• Oversee new product development and support life cycle management to ensure innovations align with strategic priorities and deliver meaningful value to customers
• Manage external research partnerships with universities and contract research organizations worldwide, including CRO’s conducting studies to GLP and GCP standards.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and advancements.
• Support submission of R&D studies to regulatory agencies worldwide.
• Work in an empowered team environment with the ability to lead as well as follow; lead additional scientists in R&D.

Key Competencies

Skills

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Nutrition, or a related field.
• 5 years of professional R&D experience and/or technical support.
• A deep scientific understanding of nutritional specialty and medicated feed products, their potential biological impact, and the benefit to the livestock producer.  Ability to go very deep technically and effectively communicate with academic and industry thought leaders.
• A broad set of scientific skills such as the ability to design protocols/experiments, determination of appropriate clinical endpoints used to measure impact on animal health, growth, nutrient uptake, energy balance, behavior, productivity and sustainability,  statistical models, cellular function, animal production research, knowledge of the animal feed industry and the ability to write a concise and complete final report,
• Ability to influence without authority in a cross-functional environment, and a problem-solving mindset (ability to think past how things are currently done to how things might be done in the future).
• Experience overseeing and monitoring GLP and/or GCP studies.
• Proven experience in leading R&D projects within the animal health industry, specifically in nutritional specialty products and medicated feed additives
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver results within specified timelines.

Physical Requirements