Global R&D Director - Innovation & Renovation, Mars Food & Nutrition

Job Description:

This is a strategic leadership position responsible for driving global Innovation Renovation (IR) across a portfolio of iconic food brands. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team (\~35 Associates) covering Product Development, Packaging, Materials, Culinary, Consumer Insights, and Digital, with a focus on breakthrough innovation, renovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. The role is pivotal for Mars Food Nutrition’s growth, health wellbeing, and sustainability ambitions.

What are we looking for?

• Education: Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) in Food Science, Technology, Culinary Arts, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.


• Experience: 12 years of RD leadership in food/nutrition within FMCG.


• Track Record: Proven success in global innovation and renovation.


• Expertise: Consumer insights, culinary, material science, cost optimization, digital RD.


• Experience: Demonstrated leadership in leveraging digital technologies \- such as data analytics, AI, ML, and digital product development \- to drive innovation and accelerate RD outcomes.


• Experience: business continuity, risk management, and operational excellence.


• Leadership: Exceptional communication and stakeholder management; experience managing large, multicultural teams.

What will be your responsibilities?

1\. Innovation Renovation Leadership

• Strategy Development: Craft and execute a global IR RD strategy for all brands, ensuring a robust pipeline of consumer\-centric, culinary\-led, and science\-based products.


• Cross\-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Marketing, Commercial, and Supply teams to identify and prioritize innovation opportunities.


• Culture Building: Foster creativity, agility, and discipline, leveraging external partnerships and digital tools.

2\. Business Continuity Value Leadership

• Supply Resilience: Lead initiatives to ensure supply chain resilience and risk mitigation for critical materials and processes.


• Cost Optimization: Drive sustainable margin improvement via material science, process innovation, and supplier partnerships.


• Risk Management: Oversee technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies.

3\. Packaging Sustainability Program Leadership

• Sustainability Initiatives: Lead global efforts to reduce environmental impact of packaging.


• Regulatory Compliance: Develop technical solutions for packaging regulations, ensuring compliance and proactive adaptation.


• Innovation in Packaging: Collaborate with Commercial and Supply Chain to create sustainable packaging solutions.


• Sustainability Integration: Embed sustainability principles throughout product and packaging development.

4\. Material Expertise

• Raw Material Mastery: Build deep expertise in key ingredients and packaging materials.


• Supplier Collaboration: Work with procurement and suppliers to qualify and implement new materials/technologies.


• Compliance: Ensure adherence to global food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

5\. RD Operations Excellence

• Strategy Execution: Align global RD team to divisional priorities and annual goals.


• Budget Resources: Lead budget planning and resource allocation, ensuring strategic alignment.


• Performance Metrics: Establish KPIs and drive process efficiency and effectiveness.


• Portfolio Governance: Oversee governance, analysis, and reporting for innovation and technical project portfolios.


• Collaboration: Promote cross\-functional collaboration and provide governance to technical forums.


• Capability Building: Drive technical capability development, especially in digital and sustainability.


• Capital Investment: Plan capital investments to support innovation and growth.


• Communication: Develop unified RD communication strategies with Corporate Affairs.


• Transformation: Lead design and implementation of new operating models and processes.

6\. Leadership Stakeholder Engagement

• Team Leadership: Inspire and develop a diverse, high\-performing global RD team.


• Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with internal/external stakeholders.


• Representation: Represent Mars Food Nutrition RD at global forums, industry events, and with key customers.

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.

A strong focus on 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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