Principal Scientist – Food Testing H/F/X

Job Description

Job Description:

Segment : Mars Global Services

Contract : Permanent/CDI

Localisation : Aimargues, Veghel

As a Principal Scientist - Food Testing, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to ensure the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of raw materials and finished products across Mars. In this global expert role, you’ll combine your deep technical knowledge with a passion for collaboration guiding labs, mentoring teams, and translating complex science into real-world solutions.

You’ll help shape the future of our lab services by developing robust testing strategies, solving critical food safety incidents, and building the capabilities of our global laboratory network. This is your chance to lead with impact and drive excellence in food testing, every step of the way.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a principal scientific expert in analytical chemistry with strong leadership, mentoring, and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will bring:

• A degree in Analytical Chemistry or a related field — with 10+ years of experience in laboratory testing

• Deep hands-on expertise in techniques like UV, HPLC, GC, Mass Spectrometry, and wet chemistry

• Strong knowledge in specialized testing areas such as mycotoxins, oxidation, heavy metals, pesticides, vitamins, and food adulteration

• Proven success in incident and crisis management, troubleshooting, and risk mitigation

• Experience building testing strategies, governance tools, and performance metrics

• A track record of mentoring, training, and developing technical teams

• Strong understanding of global food safety regulations (e.g. FDA, EFSA, Codex) and lab standards like ISO 17025

• Fluent English and excellent communication skills, especially with cross-functional and international stakeholders

• A role model in analytical method validation, from design through to implementation and review

• Strong knowledge in food (confectionery is a plus); and ideally as well in pet food

What Will Be Your Key Responsibilities

Be a Trusted Scientific Advisor

• Provide expert consultancy on food chemistry and physical testing to regional and global stakeholders

• Support investigations and incident response related to raw materials and finished products

• Translate scientific complexity into clear business insights and recommendations

Set the Direction for Testing Excellence

• Lead the development of our global contaminants testing strategy

• Own the master list of contaminants and testing performance criteria for critical raw materials

• Develop technical briefing documents and build internal knowledge around contaminants and methods

• Identify and validate external labs that meet our analytical and compliance requirements

Mentor, Coach, and Build Capability

• Support and coach regional labs and chemistry teams on method development and validation

• Develop training content and deliver food safety laboratory competency programs

• Build technical expertise in confectionery testing across raw materials, in-process, and finished products

Drive Technical Governance and Continuous Improvement

• Co-own the Mars Analytical Method Table, ensuring accuracy and consistency of all technical content

• Lead improvements to our lab consultancy services and reporting tools

• Establish metrics and tools to monitor performance across the lab network

• Support internal audits and contribute to regulatory compliance and quality risk reduction

Connect and Influence

• Act as a key liaison between the Mars Global Centre of Expertise, R&D, Q&FS, and Supplier Quality Assurance teams

• Represent Mars in relevant external technical forums and conferences

• Contribute to the broader Mars laboratory vision through collaboration, leadership, and innovation

What can you expect from Mars?

Join our Center of Expertise, based in the beautiful South of France (Montpellier/Nîmes area), on the Royal Canin Headquarters campus ; a dynamic, international hub for innovation in pet nutrition and science. This unique campus brings together over 800 associates from 40+ nationalities, two laboratories, a kennel and cattery home to more than 400 pets, and Royal Canin’s most iconic factory.

As a Principal Scientist, you will :

• work in a collaborative, global cross segment, multidisciplinary environment, alongside scientists and experts in analytical sciences and data/digital domains ; including chemistry and physical sciences, microbiology, molecular biology, rapid spectroscopy, packaging science…

• access to two state-of-the-art laboratories (applied research and production), equipped with advanced technologies for analytical and materials testing