Full-Time

Director of Animal Nutrition

Posted on 10/7/2024

The Farmer's Dog

The Farmer's Dog

501-1,000 employees

Fresh, human-grade dog food delivery service

Food & Agriculture

Compensation Overview

$190k - $210kAnnually

+ Bonus + Equity

Senior, Expert

New York, NY, USA

Requires in-office presence 2-3 days a week.

Category
Bioinformatics
Computational Biology
Genomics
Public Health
Biology Lab & Research
Biology & Biotech
Requirements
  • You have an advanced degree in Animal Nutrition and/or related field, including a solid understanding of companion animal nutrition.
  • You have 7 to 10 years of successful hands-on experience guiding product development - from concept to commercialization including formulation development.
  • You bring a deep knowledge of methodologies and pre-commercialization product testing requirements.
  • Your prior manufacturing experience including process development and ability to scale up foods.
  • You have effectively led a product development function that drives quality and innovation, along with an entrepreneurial spirit and results orientation.
  • Your have demonstrated leadership and people development skills.
  • You have a strong regulatory (i.e. AAFCO, FDA, etc.) as well as food safety knowledge.
Responsibilities
  • Oversee the formula development of a robust pipeline of foods and treats by focusing on internal and external insights and constraints.
  • Build, lead and develop a dynamic team dedicated to meeting deadlines and budget goals while delivering innovative, high-value products that align with market and customer needs.
  • Manage budget expectations for products and ongoing improvement initiatives.
  • Collaborate with internal and external teams to gain insights into market trends and customer preferences.
  • Provide hands-on coaching/mentoring at trials from bench-top through scale-up.
  • Create a technology roadmap for product & claims development to support long term product innovation.
  • Manage product reviews, technical investigations, and enhancements in formulation and processes, while exploring new ingredient and processing technologies.
  • Develop & lead product enhancement and maintenance initiatives.
  • Partner with FSQ, Legal, and Regulatory to ensure compliance with labeling requirements, adhering to AAFCO, USDA, FDA, and FSMA standards.
  • Maintain a strong focus on quality and food safety.
  • Foster collaboration across departments and with third-party resources to drive successful outcomes.

The Farmer's Dog provides fresh, human-grade dog food that is delivered directly to pet owners' homes. The company focuses on creating personalized meal plans for dogs, which are prepared in the U.S. using high-quality ingredients that are free from preservatives and artificial additives. This subscription-based service allows customers to receive regular deliveries of dog food, ensuring freshness and convenience without the need for retail markups. Unlike traditional dog food brands, The Farmer's Dog emphasizes the health benefits of its products, with many customers reporting improvements in their pets' health, such as weight loss and better digestion. The goal of The Farmer's Dog is to enhance the quality of pet nutrition and promote the overall well-being of dogs.

Company Stage

Series D

Total Funding

$163.5M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2014

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

13%

1 year growth

34%

2 year growth

46%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Growing consumer interest in eco-friendly pet products boosts demand for The Farmer's Dog.
  • Partnerships with veterinary associations enhance credibility and customer trust.
  • The pet food market's expected growth offers expansion opportunities for innovative companies.

What critics are saying

  • Increased competition in the fresh pet food market could dilute market share.
  • Rising costs of high-quality ingredients may impact pricing strategy and profit margins.
  • Potential supply chain disruptions could affect timely delivery and customer satisfaction.

What makes The Farmer's Dog unique

  • The Farmer's Dog offers fresh, human-grade dog food delivered directly to customers' doors.
  • Their subscription model provides personalized meal plans tailored to individual dogs' needs.
  • The company uses high-quality, preservative-free ingredients, setting it apart from traditional dog food.

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Benefits

Competitive compensation & equity packages

Health, dental, & vision

Parental leave

401k

Flexible PTO

Employee discount

INACTIVE