Technical Program Manager - Mars Pet

Job Description:

Technical Program Manager - Mars Pet

Location - TN (Relocation available)

Mars - Family Owned and Purpose-Driven guided by our Five Principles! An organization where you can be you, build a career and make a difference today and for generations to come. Our brands touch the lives of your family, including your four-legged members. Our Mars Petcare Associates are committed to one purpose - "A Better World for Pets™.

Learn more - https://www.mars.com/made-by-mars/petcare

The Technical Program Manager role will lead our strategic technical innovation programs that support the business growth of our Mars Petcare Division.

The role will manage cross functional R&D resources and technical projects for emerging Innovation. The role will be the voice of R&D on the project and leadership teams as well as other decision-making forums. The role will be crucial to Identifying solutions for hurdles, mitigate risk, lead problem-solving efforts and establishing options that the team and leaders can support.

This role will provide people leadership to a team of engineers and lead the creation, development and qualification of Emerging Product/Formats Innovation as well as defining technology platforms and building multi generation innovation to populate the platforms and enable a pipeline of Innovation.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelors degree in Engineering; Master's/or Phd in Food Science or Animal Nutrition preferred
• Minimum 10 years experience in R&D or Engineering development.
• Broad depth of experience in developing and launching consumer products in Food and Pet Food Industries
• Understanding of Petfood consumers, market opportunities, recipes, raw materials, and process constraints
• Strong knowledge of applicable food/petfood technologies and the manufacturing processes used to produce food/feed/petfood ingredients.
• Strong knowledge of product/process/pack development from bench top to full scale production.
• Demonstrated ability to Influence cross functional teams/senior managers and build consensus.
• Demonstrated excellence in project management and capability to lead cross functional projects with significant business Impact.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical and business judgments based on mastery and experience that help guide business decisions.
• Develop and build technical models that guide current and future product innovation and technology platforms.
• Connect and integrate internal and external innovation capabilities to develop product solutions, build technology platforms, and/or create new capabilities.
• Train, develop, and improve the performance of associates through coaching, ongoing feedback, and assignment matching.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Directing Others: Plan organize and facilitate cross functional technical meetings, playing a co-pilot role with the respective business project managers. Ensure appropriate technical risk assessments completed, trial plans organized, and technical scorecards presented within the business project meetings on behalf of the team.
• Decision Making: Assess situations and determine the right approach to problem solving. Decide on the appropriate tolls and processes to be used to engage and Influence stakeholders' decision- making to overcome challenges and meet project goals and objectives. Proactive In decisions to escalate Issues to key stakeholders.
• Critical thinking: Lead technical teams to problem solve at high level, deliver on solutions that may Include Internal and external options and present these back to senior leaders.
• Project Management: Lead a team of cross functional R&D associates to deliver enterprise Initiatives. Lead project brief working with Project managers to ensure timeline and managed within the necessary QUEST process.
• Line Management: Lead and develop a team of cross functional R&D associates (product development, process development, formulation and pack development)
• Support technology transfer and co-creation with co-manufacturers. Engage with strategic external partnerships for the development of new product experiences.

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.

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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.