Flexa
Mars UK • United Kingdom

Behaviour and Training Specialist

Employment type:  Full time

1–2 days/week at home

Core hours 11–3

Dog friendly

Job Description

Job Description:

Behaviour and Training Specialist

Waltham Petcare Scientist Institute, Leicestershire

The Trainer & Behaviour Specialist at will provide proactive contributions to the pet-friendly research which is key in delivering scientific advancements to Mars Petcare brands. The job holder will apply the principles of cat and dog training to deliver new methods that will both improve quality and efficiency in the way pets are cared for and trained, both at Waltham and through the wider pet centre community within the business.

The role involves responsibility for identifying new practical approaches to husbandry care, training, and behaviour, this will involve building a strong external network in the field and developing a network of trainers and behaviourists in the business. The jobholder will be responsible for coordinating a range of pilot studies to assess value and relevance of new techniques with the aim of implementing and embedding them where appropriate

The job holder will work closely with the operational training team to ensure that new methods and continuous improvement initiatives are rolled out effectively. They will also help drive personal training development for the operations trainers by providing training resource, course, and workshops to upskill the individuals. The aim is that Waltham and the pet centre community is enabled with a diverse portfolio of training approaches that can be leveraged for both people and animals.

What are we looking for?

  • A BSc in animal welfare, animal behaviour or animal husbandry is essential.

  • Demonstrable experience in a research environment or animal-centred environment.

  • Theoretical training and behaviour knowledge is essential. How to apply and teach others.

  • Practical experience of developing and implementing training modification/management programmes for cats and dogs is essential.

  • Good demonstration to drive continuous improvements in the field of behaviour and training.

  • Great communication skills.

What will be your key responsibilities?

  • Investigate, evaluate, and introduce appropriate new ways of delivering husbandry care and training.

  • Develop and manage the plan to reduce, understand and predict individual animal training problems and issues, maximising the number of animals fit for purpose and minimising resource (training) demands.

  • Stay connected within the field of animal training and behaviour both within the internal pet centre community and external to Mars Petcare, to promote the sharing and utilisation of knowledge in training and behaviour.

  • To implement new methodologies through training operations trainer team working alongside the Behaviour & Training Lead

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.

  • Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site

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.

Company benefits

Open to part-time employees
Open to job sharing
Open to compressed hours
Sabbaticals
Enhanced maternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
Enhanced paternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
24 days annual leave + bank holidays
“Pawternity” leave
Pregnancy loss leave
Bank holiday swaps
Location
94%
Employees are very happy with their working location freedom
Hours
91%
Employees are very happy with the flexibility in the hours they work
Benefits
84%
Employees are very happy with the benefits their company offers
Work-life balance
80%
Employees feel that they can switch off quite easily from work
Role modelling
81%
Employees feel that flexible working is part of the culture
Autonomy
90%
Employees feel they have complete autonomy over getting their work done

Additional employee ratings
(these do not contribute to the FlexScore®)

Diversity
75%
Employees feel that the diversity is good and there are continued efforts to improve it
Inclusion
78%
Employees feel that the culture supports equity and inclusivity well
Culture
86%
Employees feel like it is a really great environment to work in
Mission
84%
Employees feel very excited about and aligned with the company mission
Salary
70%
Employees feel that their salary is good and matches the value they bring

Working at Mars UK

Company employees

4,000 In the UK

Gender diversity (male:female)

57:43

Office locations

London, Slough, Waltham, Castle Cary, Birstall, Plymouth

Hiring Countries

Brazil
France
Netherlands
United Kingdom
United States

Awards & Achievements

1st – Large companies

1st – Large companies

Flexa100 2024
Consumer Goods

Consumer Goods

Industry awards 2023
3rd – Large companies

3rd – Large companies

Flexa100 2023
Retail & Ecommerce

Retail & Ecommerce

Industry awards 2022