Function: R&D

Level of Role: People Leader

Number of Reports: 10-20

Principle Accountabilities

• Successfully implement and follow all USDA and Mars Animal Welfare Standards.
• Operate efficiently and effectively within the Mars Standards of Operations and the Mars Animal Management Programs
• Lead a team of Associates responsible for the day to day care of the PFC pets. Includes setting both work and developmental objectives, coaching for performance and development, managing staffing schedules and coordinating duties to ensure that the pets receive the best possible care.
• Collaborate globally with other pet feeding centers to develop operational best practice guidelines.
• Collaborate with the Veterinary Team to ensure all vet appointments and treatments are executed as needed by the pet care staff.
• Collaboration with the Product Performance scientist and facility manager to determine animal acquisition needs and execute the acquisition of animals necessary to provide the needed capabilities.
• Collaborate with the facility leadership team to create a rehoming strategy for facility pets and facilitate the rehoming of those pets identified.
• Collaborate with the Activity Manager to ensure awareness of the research needs within the animal care units. This will include (but is not limited to) fitness of pets for trial, identification and adaptation of specialized feeding protocols and validation of the pets for trial work.
• Collaborate with the Behaviorist and Trainer to ensure all pets are performing as expected. Responsible to ensure all training and behavior plans are being executed by the pet care staff. Responsible for empowering pet care Associates to identify any pets that are in need of additional training.
• Responsible for ensuring that the documentation of daily care standards is being successfully executed by the pet care staff.
• Collaborate with the Product Performance Scientist to ensure feeding protocols are being executed appropriately and that data being recorded is accurate and complete.

Critical Mars Leadership Competencies

• Peer Relationships
• Conflict Management
• Organizational Skills
• Planning
• Managing and Measuring Work
• Motivating Others
• Directing Others
• Problem Solving

Critical Functional Competencies

• Product Quality Custodian
• Managing and Capturing Value
• Identify Efficiency Opportunities
• Risk and Opportunity Management
• Continuous Improvement

Key Functional Skills/ Knowledge

• Knowledge of animal health and management Issues
• Solid people leadership skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Knowledge of statistical methods

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the animal field (veterinary technician, zoo, etc.)
• BS in a Biological Science discipline

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an animal facility (research)
• Prior experience leading/managing people

About Mars:
Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5â„¢, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL® and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitalsâ„¢, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCAâ„¢ and Pet Partnersâ„¢. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 130,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

Disclaimer:
Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.​​​​​​​

Note to Search Firms/Agencies:
Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific.  Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Mars will be deemed the sole property of Mars and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Mars.