Royal Canin
Material Development Manager
Tianjin, China
Everything we do is driven by our passion for pets. Across every role and every location around the world, our teams are united by a shared purpose: creating A Better World For Pets. As a truly pet-centric company, we put pets at the heart of everything—from the products we create to the care and expertise we bring to our work. Whether you’re in R&D, manufacturing, customer care, or any of the corporate functions, your contributions make a direct impact on the health of pets everywhere. We’re also deeply committed to the growth and development of our associates, offering opportunities to learn, innovate, and make a difference every day.
- Job Type: varies
- Level: mid-level
- Travel: varies
- Average Salary: $63K-$96K
Success Profile
What makes a successful Material Development Manager at Royal Canin? We look for the right mix of the following traits when speaking with you.
- Analytical
- Curious
- Efficient
- Responsible
- Results-driven
- Team player
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Purpose
Connect your passion for pets to the purpose: A Better World For Pets
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Health & Wellbeing
A comprehensive focus on your individual health & wellbeing
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Inclusion
A place where you can belong and be yourself
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Career development
Professional learning offerings, annual personal development plans, Mars University
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Attractive total rewards
Your financial wellbeing through a competitve salary and bonus plan
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Focus on sustainability
We invest in you so you can make a better world
What I love most about Royal Canin is how pet-centric we are—everything we do revolves around improving the lives of pets. It’s not just about creating high-quality products; it’s about living our purpose every day. At the same time, Royal Canin invests in us as associates, helping us grow, develop our skills, and find real meaning in our work. It’s inspiring to be part of a global team that prioritizes both pet health and personal development.
Christina Sermak-Frankowski People & Organization Director, Learning & Culture
The Material Development Manager is responsible for RoyalCanin and Pet nutrition specification harmonization, the objective is to extend Royal Canin approved raw materials to be used in Pet Nutrition product produced in TJN site, This role involves driving these ingredients assessment through specification comparison, follow the assessment process to ensure they are properly assessed for any risks to animal well-being, product quality, and food safety. Additionally, the Material Development Manager will update ingredient specifications, which includes identifying the key attributes to be included in that specification.
Key Responsibilities
1. Specification Harmonization
Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of raw material specifications and testing methods between the two factories.
Develop and implement a unified, company-wide raw material technical standard framework, aligned with global industry benchmarks, regulatory requirements, and business needs.
Collaborate with R&D, Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA), Production, and PPI to validate, refine, and roll out integrated specification
Write the specification which include the key attributes into it
2. Technical Alignment & Compliance
Ensure all integrated specification comply with relevant national/international regulations (e.g., GB, ISO) and internal quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, HACCP, GMP).
Resolve technical discrepancies between the two facilities, balancing operational feasibility, cost efficiency, and product quality.
Capable of new/updated material risk assessment if needed
3. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
Partners with QFS, supply chain, deploy team and R&D to gather requirements, align priorities, and drive standardization initiatives.
Lead training sessions and workshops for cross-functional teams to ensure understanding and adherence to the new unified specification if necessary
4. Continuous Improvement & Performance Monitoring
Establish KPIs to track the effectiveness of integrated specification (e.g., material consistency, quality deviation reduction, supply chain efficiency).
Conduct regular audits and reviews of standard implementation, identifying opportunities for optimization and continuous improvement.
Context and Scope
The Material Development Manager as a key interface between the SQA team, suppliers, and various internal stakeholders, such as R&D, Sourcing & Operation, Q&FS, Manufacturing, and Regulatory Affairs. The role requires a balance of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and effective communication and stakeholder management to leverage the knowledge to speed up the process and bring the efficiency
Education & Professional Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Nutrition, Food Science, Food Technology or equivalent. Advance degree preferred.
Knowledge / Experience
Minimum 5 years of experience in R&D, NPD, SQA etc
Knowledge in functionality of raw materials with cross category experience.
Track record in leadership & delivery of complex technical projects/programs
Actively builds collaborative and effective relationships with partners across the business.
Ability to manage pressure in demanding situations.
Experience in people leadership including coaching and supporting the development of individuals and teams.
Excellent communication skills, written and oral