Associate Director Ingredient Science - Flavors, Mint, Potato, Grains

Job Description:

Associate Director Ingredient Science - Flavors, Mint, Potato, Grains

The Associate Director for Flavors, Mint, Seasonings, Grains, Potato, and Rice, you will lead a global, high-performing team with multi-cultural awareness and manage a portfolio of research programs within Science & Technology for the Mars Snacking business.

In this strategic technical leadership role, you will advance science across these category programs to deliver breakthrough innovation, long-term supply resilience, and value leadership. You will shape the mid- and long-term technology development strategy in collaboration with internal and external partners, leveraging Mars business processes to deliver prioritized, relevant, and innovative solutions to key technical challenges across the segment.

What Are We Looking For?

• Bachelor’s degree in food chemistry, Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, Crop Science, or related discipline; Ph.D. or Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of progressive R&D leadership experience in food science, flavor chemistry, analytical science, crop science, or related CPG environments.

• Proven track record of developing senior scientific talent, building inclusive team cultures, and driving accountability against clear technical and business milestones.

• Demonstrated success in converting scientific research into commercialized, deployable ingredients and resilient supply chain solutions.

• Exceptional stakeholder management and executive communication skills, with experience navigating complex, multi-stakeholder global matrices.

• Ability to travel globally up to 20%.

What will your Key Responsibilities Be?

• Define and lead the 3–5+ year technology vision and research agenda across flavors, seasonings, mint, grains, rice, and potatoes in close partnership with Commercial Sourcing, and Innovation teams.