Job Purpose:

This position will be the main support for all R&D activities within their respective site including but not limited to the trials and start-ups of new products, packaging, and raw materials.  This position will lead process development activities for basic new product development projects that do not include major new ingredient streams and new technologies. In addition, this position will also implement sustainable process improvement initiatives & COGS through the use of root cause and statistical analysis tools and be the Process representative in site HACCP and Risk Assessments at their respective site.  This role requires ability to use and apply basic knowledge of Quality & Engineering disciplines including Statistical Process Control, to execute activities aligned with the overall Petcare R&D strategy. Significant collaboration is expected with Quality, Supply and Engineering including CVS support.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or related discipline OR
• High school diploma WITH 5+ years’ experience in a food manufacturing environment working in quality, food safety, engineering, or product/process development
• Strong passion to work in CPG within R&D
• Ability to travel 25% of the time
• Ability to use Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and understand basic engineering drawings (e.g. AutoCAD)

 
Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years in a food manufacturing environment working in quality, food safety, engineering, or product/process development
• Working knowledge of food processing or product development
• Green Belt Certification
• Lean Six Sigma

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Support the effective execution of line trials and process capability evaluations.
• Support test plans and use SPC data analysis to quantify key process and packaging machine parameters and fundamental mechanisms at both pilot and factory scale.
• Implement scalable operating specifications collaboratively developed with Product Development and Process development to achieve exceptional product attribute targets and ensure superior product quality and food safety.
• Provide SPC System support to Supply, Quality, Process Development & Product Development on existing processes
• Basic understanding of Lean Thinking principles and Value Added Engineering
• Work as part of the R&D team to support the scale-up risk and introduction of technology into supply chain
• Pursue process improvement opportunities as agreed upon and prioritized by the Process Development Manager & COGS Team, across the factory network focused on reducing waste, downtime and/or energy usage and/or increasing production rates
• Participate R&D at site FMOS meetings, daily product quality cuttings, and CI discussions.
• Minor Project and Budget responsibilities are required with potential contractor and technician management responsibility.

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.

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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.