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

Job Description

Job Description:

This is a strategic leadership position responsible for driving global Innovation & Renovation (I&R) 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?

• Experience: 12+ years of R&D leadership in food/nutrition within FMCG.
• Track Record: Proven success in global innovation and renovation.
• Expertise: Consumer insights, culinary, material science, cost optimization, digital R&D.
• Experience: business continuity, risk management, and operational excellence.
• Experience: Demonstrated leadership in leveraging digital technologies - such as data analytics, AI, ML, and digital product development - to drive innovation and accelerate R&D outcomes.
• Leadership: Exceptional communication and stakeholder management; experience managing large, multicultural teams.
• Education: Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) in Food Science, Technology, Culinary Arts, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.

What will be your responsibilities?

1. Innovation & Renovation Leadership

• Strategy Development: Craft and execute a global I&R R&D 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. R&D Operations Excellence

• Strategy & Execution: Align global R&D 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 R&D 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 R&D team.
• Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Representation: Represent Mars Food & Nutrition R&D 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.