Innovation Lead for Pet Health (m/w/d)

The Taste, Nutrition & Health segment uses its combined expertise as well as scientific research to offer customers and partners unique, natural ingredient-based and sustainable solutions in the areas of taste, nutrition and health. With more than 100 sites in over 40 countries, the segment serves the markets of the food and beverage industry as well as manufacturers of pet food and fish food.

Whether we are designing effective flavor and masking solutions, pioneering in gut health, providing veterinary solutions for pets, or enhancing performance in the aquaculture feed industry, we put health and well-being at the heart of what we do.

We are looking for an Innovation Lead for Pet Health!

Location: Rennes, France (Preferred) or Symrise location in Europe

Travel Requirements: Availability for customer support and technical meetings

This is a founding role to support a new roll-out for Pet Health at Symrise. The successful candidate will adapt ingredients and solutions across the company’s offerings to new applications, while also launching new-to-market solutions. This critical role supports business development in Pet Health active solutions at Symrise, aligning with the strategic ambition to develop health-active ingredients for both humans and pets.

The role

Key Responsibilities:

• Innovation Strategy: Define and execute innovation projects and portfolio for Pet Health active solutions, leveraging existing Human Health products or developing partnership opportunities.
• Scientific Communication: Adequately translate and communicate scientific aspects of Pet Health concepts, providing business and sales scientific and technical support.
• Budget Management: Define and control budget requirements for upcoming years, retro-planning, ensuring projects likely return significant ROI.
• Project Leadership: Oversee the full development and implementation of Pet Health innovation projects with support from key functions and external partners.
• Support Functions: Provide scientific, clinical, and regulatory support for pet health ingredient launches and commercial needs.
• Partner Evaluation: Contribute to evaluate innovation or commercial partner targets for Pet Health.

Main Tasks:

• Define innovation projects and priorities aligned with short and mid-term business line priorities.
• Execute innovation projects on time and within budget through internal and external resources.
• Provide support on scientific, clinical, and regulatory aspects for health ingredient launches.
• Offer technical and scientific support to regional sales and commercial teams.
• Manage innovation and renovation pipeline in line with business priorities.
• Track project management KPIs.
• Contribute to Global Health Active Solutions Innovation team successes.

What about you?

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in Nutrition and Health, focusing on Gut & Immunity, Healthy Aging, or Metabolic Health (a Veterinary degree being definitely a plus!). They should have significant years of experience in the pet food, pet supplement, or pet pharmaceutical industry, specifically in global R&D or innovation roles. The candidate must possess strong scientific, regulatory, and clinical knowledge in dog and cat health and nutrition, along with market trends and consumer insights in the pet health sector. They should demonstrate an innovative and pragmatic approach with strong leadership and influencing skills, and be adept at working within global matrix organizations and scientific networks and have demonstrate agility for adapting set up with test and learning mindset. Excellent skills in translating scientific concepts into practical applications and communicating effectively are essential. The candidate should be comfortable with public speaking and leading technical discussions at industry events, conferences, and customer meetings. A collaborative team player with a passion for innovation, driven by scientific curiosity and creativity, they should have high energy and enthusiasm for delivering solutions in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in English is required, and French is advantageous.

If you are ready to join a dynamic and innovative team, and have the passion to drive new solutions in Pet Health, Symrise is the place for you! Apply now to be part of a company where health and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.

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