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Mars

Senior Principal Scientist - Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs (SRA) Center of Excellence (CoE)

Salary:  $153,600 – $211,200 per annum
Location:  USA-Illinois-Chicago | United States of America
Location flexibility:  1 office day / week, 2 office days / week, 3 office days / week, 4 office days / week
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Job Description

Job Description:

Senior Principal Scientist - Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs (SRA) Center of Excellence (CoE)

The Senior Principal Scientist SRA COE serves as the global lead for evaluating, interpreting and proactively forecasting emerging scientific and regulatory developments on ingredients and packaging to ensure ‘freedom to operate’ for Mars Snacking. Operating within a predictive 3–5 year time horizon

This subject matter expert identifies and analyzes early "pre-regulatory" signals—including emerging scientific trends, shifting government hazard/risk assessment endpoints and novel testing methodologies in the area of food contact material, novel ingredients and regulated contaminants—serving as a critical technical engine for global-scale risk management programs.

This role develops globally aligned regulatory and scientific positions and strategies, maintains robust external networks and drives leadership in key trade and scientific associations to shape the external landscape. An exceptional ability to navigate ambiguity, collaborate globally and champion continuous improvement is essential, paired with a proactive enthusiasm for leveraging AI tools to accelerate research, streamline technical analysis and drive innovative scientific solutions.

What are we looking for?

  • Minimum of master's degree in toxicology, chemistry, biochemistry, veterinary sciences or related scientific discipline. PhD preferred.
  • Minimum of 7 years' experience with food (pet or human), cosmetic, pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing company in regulatory & scientific affairs focused on risk and opportunity management of food products and packaging and/or related product categories. 10 years' experience preferred.
  • A demonstrated strong understanding of the global human and/or pet food regulatory and ingredient environment; demonstrated track record of working successfully across functions to achieve shared goals; and proven ability to interact cross-functionally at all levels within the organization are required.
  • Experience working internationally with trade associations and government agencies to engage in regulatory matters is required.
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Senior Manager, Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs (SRA) Center of Excellence (CoE)

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Chicago, US | USA

#1 MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY COMPANY

Working at Mars

Hybrid

Core hours 11–3

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
Neonatal 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
Learning license
Studying sabbaticals
Open to part time work for some roles
Menopause support
On-site gym
On-site barista
Secure on-site parking
On-site catering
Private booths
On-site wellness room
Collaboration spaces

Awards & Accreditations

1st - Most Family Friendly Company

1st - Most Family Friendly Company

Flexa awards 2026
3rd - Best Workplace Benefits

3rd - Best Workplace Benefits

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Most loved - Large companies

Top 5 - Most loved - Large companies

Flexa awards 2026
Best Work-Life Balance

Top 10 - Best Work-Life Balance

Flexa awards 2026
1st - Most Family Friendly Company

1st - Most Family Friendly Company

Flexa awards 2025
2nd – Pet Friendly

2nd – Pet Friendly

Flexa awards 2025
Most Flexible Company

Top 5 - Most Flexible Company

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Most Inclusive Company

Top 5 - Most Inclusive Company

Flexa awards 2025
Best Work-Life Balance

Top 10 - Best Work-Life Balance

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Best Career Progression

Top 10 - Best Career Progression

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Best Workplace Culture

Best Workplace Culture

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Best Workplace Benefits

Best Workplace Benefits

Flexa awards 2025
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
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  • Ability to travel up to 10-20% domestic and international.
  • What will your key responsibilities be?

    Technical Issues Management & Foresight

    • Monitors, reviews, and interprets new scientific literature for ingredients in food and packaging, with an emphasis on regulated contaminants and food contact material.
    • Proactively identifies and captures emerging, "pre-regulatory" signals—such as early-stage scientific trends, shifts in government hazard/risk assessment endpoints and novel testing methodologies—translating them into strategic business intelligence.
    • Maintain a robust, influential network within key trade organizations and external scientific bodies to responsibly shape regulatory policy developments and advocate for industry-wide alignment.
    • Reviews methodologies used for novel ingredient and food contact material assessments coupled with understanding of regulatory requirements to determine path for regulatory approvals to support commercialization.
    • Leads technical scientific issues for Mars related to food packaging. The role ensures that issues, trends, risks and opportunities are appropriately categorized and escalated to support the company’s proactive approach to scientific and regulatory strategy development.
    • Works with Mars Inc. Associates and other segments to establish enterprise-level science policy and scientific positions.

    Scientific & Regulatory Communication

    • Develops and communicates science and regulatory-based communication, customized for key internal stakeholders (Science, Technology, Product Development, Commercial, Corporate Affairs, Legal, and Senior Leadership) on current and emerging scientific and regulatory to shape strategic pipelines.
    • Prepares clear, concise summaries of scientific findings and regulatory updates for internal use.

    Adopting AI-Driven Approaches

    • Identifies and shapes opportunities to leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance literature reviews, data analysis and regulatory intelligence
    • Stays abreast of digital innovations in SRA and the area of ingredients in food and packaging to recommend new approaches for regulatory affairs and scientific assessment.

    Continuous Improvement

    • Proactive in seeking ways to improve how scientific and regulatory affairs is practiced, ensuring we remain agile, efficient and aligned with best practices and technological advancements.
    • Gathers feedback from regional teams, corporate functions and business units to identify areas for increased efficiency, accuracy and knowledge sharing.
    • Supports the development and updating of best practice guidelines and training materials to ensure alignment with evolving regulatory requirements and scientific advancements.

    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.

    #LI-BM1

    The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

    The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00

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    Company employees:

    4,000 In the UK

    Gender diversity (m:f):

    57:43

    Hiring in countries

    Argentina

    Australia

    Austria

    Belgium

    Brazil

    Canada

    China

    Czechia

    Egypt

    France

    Germany

    Hungary

    India

    Japan

    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Lithuania

    Malaysia

    Mexico

    Netherlands

    Poland

    Romania

    Russia

    Saudi Arabia

    Singapore

    Slovakia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Switzerland

    Thailand

    Türkiye

    Ukraine

    United Arab Emirates

    United Kingdom

    United States

    Office Locations