Senior Scientist

Franklin, TN

This role will push boundaries, leading the development of innovative products via existing and emerging products for the North American business. The incumbent will work cross-functionally to lead fast paced product development, technical support for new products, all while maintaining quality design and delivering desired product performance to both the consumer and pet. 

What are we looking for?

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Food Science or Food Engineering; Advance degree preferred
• 5+ years’ experience in research and development
• Strong knowledge of food product development from bench top to full scale production
• Strong ability to work cross functionally with people in other disciplines/business areas
• Demonstrated excellence in project management and capability to lead cross functional projects
• Intellectually curious to find and develop opportunities
• Strong ability to think critically to solve complex challenges
• Strong knowledge in multiple product formats (human food, pet food or similar experience)
• Ability to communicate and transfer knowledge to others in various forms (presentations, written reports, emails, training)

#LI-PB1

Preferred Qualifications

• Advance degree in Food Science or Food Engineering
• Food science / food chemistry and animal nutrition
• 7 years+ experience
• Understanding of Petfood consumers, market opportunities, recipes, raw materials, and process constraints
• Strong knowledge of applicable human and Petfood technologies and the manufacturing processes

What will be your key responsibilities?

• 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
• Contribute product design expertise to unit, regional, and global communities for the pet food segment
• Mentor and coach more junior R&D associates
• Follow corporate labelling and claim policy

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.

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.