At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global innovation and renovation for iconic food brands with a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Mars Food & Nutrition, a purpose-driven company focused on sustainability and health.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and access to Mars University for continuous learning.
- Other info: Inspire a diverse team and collaborate globally to shape the future of food.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in food innovation while driving sustainability and digital transformation.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in R&D leadership with expertise in food science and digital technologies.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
This is a strategic leadership position responsible for driving global Innovation & Renovation (I&R) across a portfolio of iconic food brands. The Director leads a multidisciplinary team (~35 Associates) covering Product Development, Packaging, Materials, Culinary, Consumer Insights, and Digital, with a focus on breakthrough innovation, renovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. The role is pivotal for Mars Food & Nutrition’s growth, health & wellbeing, and sustainability ambitions.
Qualifications
- Experience: 12+ years of R&D leadership in food/nutrition within FMCG.
- Track Record: Proven success in global innovation and renovation.
- Expertise: Consumer insights, culinary, material science, cost optimization, digital R&D.
- Experience: Business continuity, risk management, and operational excellence.
- Experience: Demonstrated leadership in leveraging digital technologies - such as data analytics, AI, ML, and digital product development - to drive innovation and accelerate R&D outcomes.
- Leadership: Exceptional communication and stakeholder management; experience managing large, multicultural teams.
- Education: Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) in Food Science, Technology, Culinary Arts, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
Responsibilities
- Innovation & Renovation Leadership
- Strategy Development: Craft and execute a global I&R R&D strategy for all brands, ensuring a robust pipeline of consumer-centric, culinary-led, and science-based products.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Marketing, Commercial, and Supply teams to identify and prioritize innovation opportunities.
- Culture Building: Foster creativity, agility, and discipline, leveraging external partnerships and digital tools.
- Business Continuity & Value Leadership
- Supply Resilience: Lead initiatives to ensure supply chain resilience and risk mitigation for critical materials and processes.
- Cost Optimization: Drive sustainable margin improvement via material science, process innovation, and supplier partnerships.
- Risk Management: Oversee technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
- Packaging Sustainability Program Leadership
- Sustainability Initiatives: Lead global efforts to reduce environmental impact of packaging.
- Regulatory Compliance: Develop technical solutions for packaging regulations, ensuring compliance and proactive adaptation.
- Innovation in Packaging: Collaborate with Commercial and Supply Chain to create sustainable packaging solutions.
- Sustainability Integration: Embed sustainability principles throughout product and packaging development.
- Material Expertise
- Raw Material Mastery: Build deep expertise in key ingredients and packaging materials.
- Supplier Collaboration: Work with procurement and suppliers to qualify and implement new materials/technologies.
- Compliance: Ensure adherence to global food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
- R&D Operations Excellence
- Strategy & Execution: Align global R&D team to divisional priorities and annual goals.
- Budget & Resources: Lead budget planning and resource allocation, ensuring strategic alignment.
- Performance Metrics: Establish KPIs and drive process efficiency and effectiveness.
- Portfolio Governance: Oversee governance, analysis, and reporting for innovation and technical project portfolios.
- Collaboration: Promote cross-functional collaboration and provide governance to technical forums.
- Capability Building: Drive technical capability development, especially in digital and sustainability.
- Capital Investment: Plan capital investments to support innovation and growth.
- Communication: Develop unified R&D communication strategies with Corporate Affairs.
- Transformation: Lead design and implementation of new operating models and processes.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement
- Team Leadership: Inspire and develop a diverse, high-performing global R&D team.
- Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
- Representation: Represent Mars Food & Nutrition R&D at global forums, industry events, and with key customers.
Benefits & What to Expect
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.
Global R&D Director, Innovation & Renovation, Mars Food & Nutrition employer: Mars - UK
Mars Food & Nutrition is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and sustainability within the food industry. With a strong commitment to employee development through initiatives like Mars University, associates are empowered to grow in a collaborative and diverse environment. The company's focus on purpose-driven work and competitive benefits makes it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful careers in R&D leadership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global R&D Director, Innovation & Renovation, Mars Food & Nutrition
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and recent innovations. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role, but genuinely excited about what they do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with their goals, especially around innovation and sustainability. We need to demonstrate that we can lead and inspire teams to drive impactful change.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Global R&D Director, Innovation & Renovation, Mars Food & Nutrition
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your R&D leadership experience in food/nutrition and any successful innovation projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about innovation and renovation in the food industry. Share specific examples of how you've driven change and collaborated with cross-functional teams.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, emphasise your leadership approach and how you inspire diverse teams. We want to see how you build relationships and foster creativity within your team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mars - UK
✨Know Your Innovation & Renovation Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Mars Food & Nutrition's current innovation and renovation strategies. Be ready to discuss how your past experiences align with their goals, especially in driving consumer-centric and science-based products.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed large, multicultural teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you fostered creativity and agility within your team.
✨Demonstrate Your Digital Savvy
Since digital transformation is key for this role, be prepared to discuss how you've leveraged digital technologies like data analytics and AI in your previous R&D projects. Share concrete examples of how these tools have driven innovation in your work.
✨Engage with Sustainability Initiatives
Mars places a strong emphasis on sustainability, so come equipped with insights on how you've integrated sustainable practices in your previous roles. Discuss any innovative packaging solutions or materials you've worked with that align with their sustainability goals.
