Junior Product Development Manager (12 month FTC) (All Genders)

• Assess nutritional, digestibility, and palatability aspects of pet food ingredients, understanding their impact on organoleptic parameters and cost.
• Complete and manage product briefings and specification sheets for accurate pricing and pre-production samples. Communicate specifications to suppliers, manufacturers, and buying office.
• Monitor production timelines, quality, and customer satisfaction, taking appropriate actions and communicating with stakeholders as needed.
• Approve development samples and main production, considering EU consumer-rights policies and marketing claims.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to optimise product costs and achieve margin growth targets.
• Analyse top-selling products, flavours, and trends, demonstrating a clear understanding of own brands within the category of expertise.
• Support cross-functional projects, including quality assurance, customer care, and innovation initiatives.
• Manage qualitative issues in cooperation with suppliers, ensuring product safety, marketability, and accurate labelling.
• Direct and clarify testing needs for items/ranges, liaising with internal and external stakeholders for execution.

• University degree in Agricultural Engineering, Life Sciences, Nutrition or a related field.
• Nice-to-have: specialization in Animal Nutrition (Masters, Diplomma or related courses)
• Previous work experience in a similar role, preferably in the retail sector.
• Strong knowledge of feed norms plus EU manufacturing & labelling guidelines for pet food
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and communicate well
• Proactive with strong problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, Sharepoint and Copilot
• Proficiency in English - a C1 level is essential.

Zooplus