New Product Developer

Your Role
We are looking for a New Product Developer for the Wet Product Development team, who will report to the Wet Development Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering R&D and/or Marketing driven product innovations, with a strong focus on consumer insights related with special consumption occasions.

What You Will Do

• Develop and implement new product concepts starting from idea generation, ensuring alignment with the company's long-term innovation strategy.
• Prototype new concepts and perform technical feasibility checks & risk assessments (food safety, resource availability, profitability, compliance with regulations, etc.).
• Collaborate with Marketing, Consumer Insights, and the Innovation to maintain a robust innovation pipeline.
• Apply AI/ML-supported advanced research techniques, including predictive analytics and natural language processing, to identify consumer needs and predict pet owners' expectations and behaviours, leveraging unstructured data for superior insights.
• Lead projects aimed at creating products for special consumption occasions, such as wet food and treats/snacks.
• Lead the design and analysis of AI-powered rapid experimentation and concept validation, including running iterative prototypes and synthesizing large volumes of consumer feedback (e.g., via sentiment analysis).
• Ensure new products meet agreed project criteria (palatability, digestibility, nutrition, sustainability).

What We Are Looking For

• Proven experience in R&D innovation and product development of pet food or food, ideally with more than 3 years in a related or equivalent position.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced qualitative and quantitative consumer research, with a proven ability to integrate and interpret AI/ML-generated insights (e.g., market forecasting, trend analysis) to drive product concepts.
• Experience in developing products for special consumption occasions (e.g., wet food, treats, snacks).
• Proficiency with AI-powered consumer intelligence and data analysis platforms (e.g., Brandwatch or similar social listening/competitive intelligence tools).
• Degree in Food Science & Technology, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or similar.
• Fluent in English.
• Creative, curious, collaborative, results-driven, and a critical thinker with the ability to question and validate AI-derived outputs to ensure ethical and unbiased data-driven decisions.
• Open-minded with the capability to think outside the box and embrace a test-and-learn culture.

What We Offer

• Hybrid working model
• Flexible working hours
• Ticket Restaurants
• Pension plan
• Fully equipped Gym
• Breakfast and fresh fruit
• Affinity University platform: Professional development opportunities for employees at different stages of their careers, acknowledging diverse career paths.
• Pet-friendly office
• Celebrations & Fun

If you don't meet all the requirements, don't worry. We value diverse backgrounds and encourage you to apply anyway. Your application will be thoughtfully reviewed

We cultivate an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. We firmly believe that embracing a variety of perspectives is integral to both our company's success and the strength of our team. That's why we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

Our Company
Affinity Petcare is more than an international petfood company. For more than 60 years, we have been dedicated to nourishing healthy bonds between dogs, cats, and people to make the world a better place.

We are very proud of our innovative brands which include: Ultima, Advance, Brekkies, Nature's Variety, Nature's Menu, Natural Trainer, Libra, and more. Currently, we have over 1,200 professionals working for this purpose from Barcelona, Paris, Milan, and London, as well as4 production sites through which we supply the 70+ countries where our brands have a presence.

So, what are you waiting for? Join our team to leave your footprint

Want to know more about us?
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and job opportunities. You can also follow us on Instagram @affinitycareers to learn more about life at Affinity and hear from our team.