Pet Food & Health Product Development Specialist (China-Based)

Position Summary

We are seeking a *Pet Food & Health Product Development Specialist* based in China to lead end-to-end development of our pet food and health product lines — from raw ingredient sourcing through finished, market-ready packaged goods. This role bridges technical product development (formulation, nutrition, ingredient sourcing) with commercial execution (supplier negotiation, packaging design coordination, order management, and logistics). The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in the pet food manufacturing industry in China and is comfortable working directly with factories, ingredient suppliers, and freight/logistics partners.

Key Responsibilities

Ingredient Sourcing & Formulation - Source and vet raw ingredient suppliers (proteins, grains, additives, supplements) for wet, dry, baked, and freeze/air-dried pet food and treats- Evaluate ingredient quality, nutritional value, and cost against our brand standards- Work with factories to customize formulations (ingredient %, nutrient content, texture, flavor)

Product Development- Manage development of new pet food and health products from concept to finished sample- Coordinate nutritional testing and quality benchmarks- Evaluate and recommend food types/formats (wet, dry, baked, freeze-dried, treats, supplements) based on market trends and manufacturing feasibility

Packaging Development- Coordinate with packaging suppliers/designers to create aesthetic, brand-aligned packaging- Ensure packaging meets functional requirements (shelf life, moisture/oxygen barrier, shipping durability) alongside visual branding goals- Manage custom packaging samples and approvals

Supplier & Factory Management- Identify, vet, and manage relationships with pet food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers in China- Negotiate pricing, MOQs, and production timelines- Ensure factories hold required certifications/registrations for pet food manufacturing and export

Order & Production Management- Manage purchase orders from initial quote through production and shipment- Track production timelines and quality control checkpoints- Coordinate sample approvals before full production runs

Logistics & Co-Loading- Arrange and coordinate co-loading shipments from China to the U.S. (combining multiple suppliers/products into shared containers where applicable)- Coordinate with freight forwarders on shipping method, container loading, and customs documentation- Support import compliance requirements (working alongside our internal team, since pet food import/registration requirements are state- and product-type-specific in the U.S.)

Required Experience & Qualifications

- Proven experience sourcing ingredients and developing pet food products in China (wet, dry, baked, or freeze/air-dried formats)- Direct experience working with pet food manufacturers/factories in China, including formulation customization- Experience coordinating packaging design/development for consumer goods (pet food or adjacent categories)- Experience managing purchase orders and production timelines with Chinese suppliers- Experience arranging or coordinating co-loading/freight shipments from China to the U.S.- Strong understanding of pet food manufacturing standards and export documentation- Fluent in Mandarin and English (both required for supplier negotiation and cross-border communication)- Strong negotiation and vendor management skills- Detail-oriented, especially around nutritional specs, compliance documentation, and quality control

Preferred Qualifications

- Background in pet nutrition, food science, or a related field- Existing network of vetted pet food/ingredient suppliers in China- Familiarity with U.S. pet food regulatory requirements (AAFCO, state-level registration) — not required to manage directly, but helpful for smoother collaboration with our internal team- Experience with private label / white label pet food brand development

 What Success Looks Like in This Role

- Reliable pipeline of vetted, quality ingredient and manufacturing partners- New product formulations that meet nutritional and brand standards, developed efficiently- Packaging that balances aesthetic brand goals with functional shelf/shipping requirements- Smooth, well-documented order and production process with minimal quality issues- Cost-efficient, well-coordinated shipping via co-loading arrangements

Working Schedule: 9AM - 5PM EST (Monday-Friday)