Principle Scientist Product Development – Gum and Mints

Job Description

Job Description:

This role is a Senior Technical leader in R&D within the Europe R&D organization supporting our Gum and Mints product portfolio. The role provides strategic, technical and project management leadership to support the Gum and Mints Cell for the European region. This will include partnership with the Global DS2 and Science and Technology teams in aligning strategy and delivering key programs in the region.

The role requires strong technical understanding, problem-solving, strategic agility, and persuasion to successfully navigate very complex projects with strong interdependencies to each other in order to deliver the Regional Strategy for Gum and Mints. The role will heavily interact with the Gum and Mints R&D lead (Sr Manager) to build the product development strategy to support the gum portfolio of the future. The role will support growth, value leadership, supply security and freedom to operate projects and will be required to represent these projects in key business forums.

The role will be a key to keeping communication lines open between global teams, the regional cell, and the Gum Factories, so all parties are clear on changes happening, how interdependencies are being managed and the strategic importance of a strong delivery.

The role will also take responsibility for supporting and coaching other product developers in the team for gum and mints and will play an active role in building capability in the team.

What are we looking for?

• Minimum: A Bachelor of Science in a technical area such as engineering, chemistry, or food science is required.

• Preferred: In addition to the minimum requirements, a master's degree in Product Development or Project management would be preferred.

• Proven Project management skills typically acquired through several years of consistent professional experience in leading NPD projects as the key technical member on a cross-functional team. Hands-on experience in the development and successful launch of new products, packages, and processes.

• Can demonstrate technical and leadership agility in ambiguous situations.

• Scoping Development and Leadership of Projects and Activities.

• Experience in motivating, aligning, and bringing others on board with a strategy.

• Proven track record of management of complex projects through execution with cross-functional teams

• Strong command skills to articulate the R&D position in the cell and negotiate a mutual outcome.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, people development skills, and learning agility.

• Experience in working with outside vendors to deliver project requirements.

• Ability to work in a Hybrid model (50% office/50% home) + around 20% work travel.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Strategic thinking to define the best route forward on projects and how to manage interdependencies.

• Key communicator between Global, Regional, and Factory teams to align priorities and strategy and enable execution.

• The Leadership of large-scale and complex Growth, Value Leadership and Supply Security Projects as well as supporting freedom to operate projects.

• Role model Design thinking methodologies to scope, define and learn when solving business challenges

• Mentor and Coach Scientists on technical project work as well as decision quality and persuade MLCs.

• Develop, optimize and embed ways of working that are required to deliver DS1 innovation, VL and Supply security and feed into Global ways of working with DS2-led activations in the region.

• Understand and influence of relevant S&OP+ Steps/Feeder meetings.

• Build internal and external network to allow a broad context for problem-solving.

• Bring tech awareness and savvy to build digital capabilities into the product development team.

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 a company bonus.

#LI-AB2

#TomorrowStartsToday

#ProudlyMars

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.