Flexa
Mars UK • United Kingdom

Pet Unit Specialist

3–4 days/week at home

Core hours 11–3

Dog friendly

Job Description

Job Description:

Pet Specialist

Petcare / R&D

Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire

Starting salary is £25,155 (inclusive of shift allowance), plus company bonus and benefits

Are you passionate about animal research and would you enjoy a hands-on role working with cats and dogs? Are you keen to join us in using science to drive our purpose: A Better World for Pets?

Our Pet Specialist roles play a key part in delivering our research program and every day, you get to work with our cats and dogs.

At Waltham Petcare Science Institute, our ambition is to improve pets’ quality of life by determining the drivers of health at each life stage, along with the risk factors associated with disease. As a global R&D site, the scientific findings we generate reach millions of pets worldwide through the Mars Petcare family of products and services.

In this role you will be responsible for the quality of the data we collect for our research studies which have a positive impact on the life of millions of pets.

You will also develop your knowledge and understanding of animal behaviour and training through working with our behaviour experts, alongside your own self-directed learning.

There is no need to be a dog or cat handler extraordinaire, as we will provide all necessary training when you start.

What would be your key responsibilities?

  • You will deliver the tasks for our research studies including collecting data or biological samples from our pets (for example faeces or urine).
  • Provide care for our dogs and cats through animal husbandry and training, using positive reinforcement.
  • Working safely and to a high quality are our priorities. As part of this, you will be expected to actively identify and propose improvements to what we do and how we do it.

What are we looking for?

  • Experience of planning your day-to-day tasks and working without supervision in a fast-paced environment as part of a team.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office.
  • You must be able to work weekends and bank holidays on a rota pattern.

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.

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