Innovative Ingredient Lead - Mars Pet Nutrition

Raw materials are the foundation of the Mars Pet Care business.   The Innovation Lead role will focus on research & development of new and innovative pet food ingredients and/or nutritional technologies across the Mars portfolio of pet food products.  This position will participate in designing the raw material strategy needed within the portfolio that combines pet nutrition, product performance, consumer needs, food safety and regulatory soundness.   The candidate must have knowledge of (pet) food laws and labeling requirements and experience with new foods, additives, and preservatives. This role is a critical role within the Mars North America Pet Nutrition Team. 

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) in food science, nutrition, animal science, chemistry, or engineering plus 8 years of experience in R&D for food, dietary supplement or pharmaceutical manufacturing required (CPG experience preferred).

• Technical food science knowledge required. Pet food experience preferred

• Must have strong knowledge in food chemistry and relevant chemical reactions/techniques

• Product development knowledge from bench scale to operation batch scale

• Specific experience in food or supplement formulation and manufacturing preferred

• Significant experience with AAFCO, FDA and GMP regulatory standards

• Strong understanding of laboratory practices and testing requirements

• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects

• Track record of successful project management from ideation, experimental design to final execution in the food or biotechnology industry

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Build internal and external relationships and collaborate with food and ingredient suppliers for best results on new and existing products

• Optimize existing products via changes in either the processing and/or ingredient selection to impact food factors such as appearance, taste, texture, aroma, freshness, or nutritional content

• Design and develop novel nutritional technologies for material research and ingredient discovery

• Collaborate with other R&D teams to prepare food ingredient materials based on property or consumer requirements for bench-top prototypes

• Select, analyze, and characterize functional properties of novel ingredients in complex matrix systems (polysaccharides, fats, amino acids, lipids, etc.) and their application in such systems for product development

• Utilize knowledge of ingredient functionality to create new products through extrusion, baking, retort, and other industry methods.

• Work with customers on product development based on customer supplied active ingredients

• Work closely with commercial partners to source ingredients meeting strict company guidelines and requirements

• Ensure all products meet Quality Assurance compliance and requirements

• Present research findings and reports in a well-organized written and verbal manner

• Participate in pilot scale production runs as required

• Adhere to company Policies and Standard Operating Procedures

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.