R&D Senior Product Development Manager (Care & Treats)

Job Description:

R&D Senior Product Development Manager (Care & Treats)

The R&D Senior Product Development Manager leads the C&T (Care & Treats) Product Development organization of Mars Pet Nutrition North America (PNNA). This role is a critical part of the R&D Product Development Leadership Team.

As a technical leader, this role ensures high performing collaboration within R&D (across Product Development, Process & Packaging, Compliance and Q&FS teams) as well as with the multifunctional team (across Marketing, Commercial, Supply, Project Management, S&F and Sales) becoming a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Product Development and performing the role of Senior Technical Business Partner (TBP) for the organization.

Framing business challenges is a critical contribution as a Senior TBP. The role will drive change management across the business by effectively navigating Mars business processes such as QuEST, QES, and S&OP , ensuring a Q&FS mindset.

As a senior people leader, this role builds high performing collaboration for their team, takes accountability for their performance, development, and engagement. The most critical long-term talent contribution of this role is the creation of the succession pipeline for the C&T PD organization and to prioritize and allocate appropriate resources to support the deployment of the C&T Technology Platform business strategy.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in food science/technology/engineering or related technical field. Advanced degree in food Science of Business Administration preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Product Development/R&D within a CPG food or beverage company. Pet Experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading Product Development initiatives of substantial complexity, collaborating with other R&D sub-functions such as Process, Packaging, Raw Materials, Formulations, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, and Q&FS.
• Minimum of 5 years of people leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success working as an integral part of a cross-functional team to execute against a business strategy.
• Proven record of building R&D capabilities and creating high performing collaboration.
• Deep understanding of Procurement and Supply is preferred.
  
  

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Ensures competitiveness of the PNNA C&T Product Portfolio by leading the translation of food philosophies and technology platforms into compelling product design strategies, innovation pipelines, and specific product propositions that delight pet parents.
• Drives superior product performance for the PNNA C&T Product Portfolio in close collaboration with R&D-Consumer Technical Insights (CTI), being a product custodian and co-piloting the Demand functions (Marketing and Sales).
• Promotes the financial viability of the PNNA C&T Product Portfolio by driving the design and execution of the recipe prime value leadership pipeline, in close collaboration with C&T Process, C&T Packaging, Commercial (Procurement), and Supply.
• Supports the continuity of the PNNA C&T Business by close collaboration with the R&D Compliance team (Formulations, Raw Materials, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs), Q&FS, Commercial (Procurement), and Supply.
• Represents C&T R&D in Brand Management Teams (BMTs) and all business-critical forums.
• Defines the C&T Technology Platform R&D Strategy in collaboration with C&T Process and C&T Packaging.
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives led by the R&D Compliance and Q&FS teams.
• Develops with Global R&D, C&T Process, and Supply (IE and Engineering) the short-, medium-, and long-term Technology Roadmap for the C&T Technology Platform, enabling innovation, product performance, value leadership, and capacity expansion for the C&T supply network.
• Brings outside-in understanding of the C&T petcare category in NA and the globe through real time monitoring and assessment of competitor offerings in the market, reverse engineering, and maintaining an active network inside and outside Mars.
• Builds talent capabilities and the succession pipeline for C&T PD and Product Development, while collaborating with C&T Process and C&T Packaging for the C&T R&D talent strategy.
• Drives Equity, Inclusion and Diversity for C&T Product Development.
  
  

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with 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.