Wet Product Development Manager

Job Description:

Leads a team of R&D Product Developers to bring to life the business strategy of the Wet R&D Technology Platform of Mars Pet Nutrition North America. The role operationalizes the platform activity set across growth, cost savings, business continuity, resilience, and sustainability initiatives, line managing her/his direct reports while driving effective multifunctional collaboration across the Business Unit. The role is part of the succession pipeline of the Senior R&D Platform Manager roles.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree on Food Science/Technology/Engineering or related technical field. Graduate degree in Food Science or Business Administration would be a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Product Development/R&D within a CPG company. Food/beverage experience is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience leading Product Development initiatives of substantial complexity, collaborating with other R&D sub-functions such as Process, Packaging, Raw Materials, Formulations, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, and Q&FS.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience working as an integral part of a x-functional team to execute against a business strategy (IE. Marketing, Procurement/Commercial, Supply, etc.) Deep understanding of Procurement and Supply is a plus.
• Experience beyond growth initiatives is a plus (IE. Cost savings, business continuity, sustainability, etc.)
• Building high performing teams at project level.
• Knowledge of stage/gate processes to drive change management.
• Knowledge of basic project management.
• Although the role will enable development of line management skills, prior line management experience is a plus.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Based on applicable Business Unit and R&D strategies, co-creates the R&D platform strategy and activity set with the Senior R&D Platform Manager, the Senior R&D Process Manager, the R&D Associate Director Packaging, and the Sr. Technical Brand Managers.
• Given the specific technology platform (Dry, Wet, C&T) priorities and challenges, ensures ownership of a specific component of the activity set (IE. Growth Dog, Growth Cat, Value Leadership, Business Continuity etc.)
• Operationalizes the R&D platform activity set within her/his ownership, ensuring resources are in place, defining WOWs and interfaces with other functions, providing mentorship & coaching to product developers, removing hurdles, and leveraging existing business processes such as QuEST, QES and S&OP+ to drive appropriate navigation/escalation across the Business.
• Line manages a team of at least 3 Product Developers, ensuring alignment to platform strategy and being accountable for their performance, development, and engagement.
• Collaborates with Process, Packaging, other R&D sub-functions beyond Platforms (IE. SRA, Formulations, Raw Materials, Q&FS), and other business functions (IE. Marketing, Commercial, Supply) in initiatives related to her/his activity set.
• Ensures execution of talent/people processes for her/his direct reports (including E&ID), and as part of the corresponding Technology Platform LT.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded 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.