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Mars UK • Slough, Berkshire, United Kingdom

Mars R&D Leadership Experience 2024 - Graduate Programme

Job Description

Job Description:

Your future as a leader starts today.

Our R&D Graduate Leadership Programme: The Mars R&D Leadership Experience is the perfect grounding for a career in R&D. You’ll manage projects, take on roles with local and international exposure and make decisions with real consequences. The work will come thick and fast, preparing you for the challenges of tomorrow.

The R&D Programme comprises of three 12-month placements. You’ll spend 2 of those years in our R&D function, exploring and contributing to what goes on in a function that plays a critical role in the making and developing of our most loved products. You will also get the opportunity to spend your 2nd or 3rd placement in either procurement or supply, giving you a unique opportunity to experience a breadth of roles in the supply side of our business.

What will you do?

  • 3 x 12-month placements, 2 placements in R&D and the opportunity for 1 year in either Commercial or Supply.

  • Opportunities to manage your own projects, allowing you to develop every day.

  • After the 3 years you will sign off into a role in our R&D function.

Who are we looking for?

  • A minimum of a 2:1 in any STEM degree subject. Graduating next summer or graduated within the last 2 years.

  • Technically and digitally minded.

  • ​​​​​​​Mobile within the UK. Your home site could either be Slough or Birstall (Leeds) but you may need to relocate for 1 of your placement years.

  • You’ll be passionate about being a future leader in R&D and be able to demonstrate leadership potential.

What are the benefits?

  • Starting salary of £33,000 and joining bonus of £2,000.

  • Wide range of competitive benefits, including competitive pension and healthcare scheme, annual bonus and flexible working hours.

  • We’ll give you access to inspiring mentors and coaches to help you grow.

  • Join our global graduate community, create friends for life and join a global business.

For more information, please visit careers.mars.com/UK/en/students-graduates

#MSCLE23

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
Shared parental leave
Adoption leave
Family health insurance
Pregnancy support
Neo-natal leave
Faith rooms
Meditation space
Dog friendly office
Dog friendly co-working space
Annual bonus
Employee discounts
Cinema discounts
Referral bonus
Joining bonus
Cycle to work scheme
Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
Enhanced pension match/contribution
Theme park discounts
Lunch and learns
In house training
LinkedIn learning license
Studying sabbaticals
Open to part time work for some roles

Working at Mars UK

Company employees:

4,000 In the UK

Gender diversity (m:f):

57:43

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Awards & Accreditations

1st – Family Friendly

1st – Family Friendly

Flexa awards 2025
2nd – Pet Friendly

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Flexa awards 2025
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1st – Large companies

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Flexa100 2024
Consumer Goods

Consumer Goods

Industry awards 2023
3rd – Large companies

3rd – Large companies

Flexa100 2023
Retail & Ecommerce

Retail & Ecommerce

Industry awards 2022