Your Role    

As Affinity Nutrition Center Site Manager, reporting to R&D Director, you will join the Affinity’s R&D team in order to manage the only center in Spain to generate knowledge in dog and cat nutrition and health, and to lead a project of expansion with the construction of new facilities to allow growth and success on future challenges.   

You will be managing a team of more than 20 people and 250 dogs and cats conducting palatability, digestibility and research studies related to animal nutrition and health. At the same time, you will be closely collaborating with other R&D areas, as New Product Development and Research, to define objectives, protocols and priorities to succeed in Affinity’s innovation program.    

What will you do?   

• Manage a complex operation, combining management of dogs and cats, people and facilities with the aim of maximizing performance and efficiency.
• Lead a team of managers focused on the following five different areas: cat tests & studies, dog tests & studies, veterinary care, animal training & adoption plan, projects & facilities maintenance.
• Manage a very relevant OPEX and CAPEX budget.
• Collaborate with New Product Development teams to execute all necessary tests on time.
• Coordinate with Research Manager for the definition of research protocols and the execution of health studies, with the support of a Research Technician on site.
• Lead animal management from introduction, training, validation, retirement and adoption plan to ensure their performance and welfare.
• Project Management to guarantee success in results and timings.
• Provide technical support in palatability and animal behavior to other areas of the organization (NPD, Marketing).
• Be updated on best practices in terms of palatability evaluation tools and animal monitoring devices. Lead their implementation in the ANC.
• Define the needs and lead the project of Affinity Nutrition Center expansion, including sustainability aspects.
• Work with IT team in the maintenance and evolution of Center Management software.
• Coordinate legal aspects related to animals and tests and manage relations with authorities.
• Be updated on regulations with the support of Affinity’s Regulatory manager.
• Control and organize visits to Affinity Nutrition Center with other Affinity areas

What we are looking for   

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Engineering, Management Engineering, Veterinary, Food Technology, Nutrition, Biology, Chemistry or similar field.
• At least 5 years of experience as operations manager in food, petfood or life sciences industry.
• Very strong managerial skills with extensive experience managing and being accountable of different scenarios, including team management and development, design of workforce and operational ways of working focused on continuous improvement, budget efficiency, health & safety, installations & facilities.
• Experience in animals management, specially centers with dogs and cats, will be highly valuable
• Knowledge in pet nutrition and/or previous experience in scientific research (veterinary, biology, food science) will be highly valuable
• Excellent organizational & project management skills are highly valuable
• Strong collaborative skills in cross-functional environments are very important
• Optimism, problem-solving skills and eagerness to overcome difficulties are very important
• A pet lover is required
• Fluent Professional English is a must

What we offer    

• The opportunity of making an impact on the business and leaving your footprint in a key area for Affinity growth: Innovation
• Be part of ANC’s young team, full of energy and potential, and lead them to success and growth
• Working with international experts and experienced professionals in areas like Research and NPD, to share and learn from.
• We cultivate an open culture that embraces diversity and inclusion.
• We offer competitive salaries with a number of company benefits

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 are over 1,800 professionals working for this purpose from Barcelona, Paris, Milan and Snetterton, as well as four 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?    

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