Responsibility for the innovation & renovation of the Mars Petcare North American dry portfolio.  Ensuring every day on-shelf competitiveness.  Delivers against the productivity pipeline.  Frames and shapes the product design principles and portfolio strategy within the dry platform.

This is a dynamic, fast paced role that works closely with cross-functional teams across both the demand & supply side of the business, working on both short- and medium-term innovation projects, productivity projects while providing technical support to our operations.

What are we looking for?

Minimum 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Animal Nutrition, Food Science/ Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or similar: Advance degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in research and development
• Strong knowledge of product development from bench top to full scale production.
• Demonstrated excellence in project management and capability to lead cross functional projects.
• Strong ability to work cross functionally with people in other disciplines and/or business areas.
• Ability to manage stakeholder groups 

Preferred 

• Advanced degree
• 10 years experience in R&D/Product Development
• Previous experience in FMCG with Pet Food

What would be your key responsibilities?

• Supports the business growth agenda by developing future innovation opportunities within the dry platform
• Develops & implements the product and portfolio strategy to support growth agenda
• Ensure product performance competitiveness across dry portfolio
• Lead the translation of consumer insights into holistic concepts (product).
• Use appropriate tools to facilitate concept and prototype evaluation (creation and presentation).
• Create and align product design briefs with cross functional project team.
• Specify product design attributes and quality targets.
• Own product development within projects.   
• Support Process and Packaging Development Teams.
• Follow corporate labeling and claim policy.
• Lead agreed productivity (DiB) projects and initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement projects driven by Dry factories.
• Support business continuity contingencies that would require product development input.
• Contribute product design expertise to unit, regional, and global communities for the pet food segment.

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.

If you’re passionate about our brands, a great strategic thinking, deliver high quality decision and have a high drive for results, then we want to hear from you. Click ‘apply’ in this position.

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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.