Global R&D Innovation Sr. Manager/Leader

Job Description:

Global R&D Innovation Sr. Manager/Leader

The Global R&D Innovation Sr. Manager/Leader is part of our Mars Pet Organization. This role provides strategic direction and technical leadership for the Global Product Innovation program within the Care platform and will develop and deliver a global pet parent-centric innovation pipeline in partnership with other business functions.

As a senior role within our business leading the product innovation team focused on Health & Wellbeing this role will also play a critical role as a member of the Care Product Innovation leadership team.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in a Food science, Animal Science, Food Engineering or closely related technology field. Advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 7 years experience in R&D within people leadership roles
• Proven successful track record of thought leadership & delivery of complex product innovation projects, new technologies or capability building programs ideally across different regional contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in partnering with our Demand facing functions in order to translate pet & pet parent insights into compelling and successful product briefs & winning propositions delivered to the market.
• Extensive experience across all aspects of R&D including product, process, packaging, formulation & quality. Ability to link this experience to the development, scale up & and delivery of innovation & renovation pipelines.
• Ability to operate in both cross functional and technical leadership teams within and across different regions.
  
  

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Development and implementation of a global R&D innovation strategy for pet parent-centric innovation within the key benefit areas defined within the Care Platform (Health & Wellbeing) covering our different finished product formats (Dry, Wet, Care & Treats).
• Develop deep understanding of the priority pet parent need states and pet benefit areas translating these insights into compelling product propositions for the Care Platform.
• Leadership of proposition development projects spanning ideation, project design briefing & development at a global level and in collaboration with markets around the world.
• Ensuring high levels of technical readiness rigor & timely delivery against agreed milestones and critical success factors.
• Cultivate a culture of strong pet parent focused innovation, technical curiosity and high-performance mindset across the innovation teams. Leveraging design thinking, test & learn pilots and agile execution.
• Shape and influence any new enabling capabilities required as well as the Science & Technology programs, acting as a key partner to ensure relevancy, and to support Science & Technology program delivery.
• Develop and manage the knowledge levels within your team so they have an effective working knowledge of their other enabling R&D sub functions. Ensure the delivery of propositions that perfectly meet our pet, pet parent and customer needs.
• Leadership and development of the Associates within the Care Product Innovation team, driving engagement, developing skills & competence, and a strong talent pipeline.
• Act as a key member of the Care R&D Product Innovation leadership team.
• Provide thought leadership and representation for Care Innovation in the appropriate global forums.
  
  

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse 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.
  
  

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.