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: Collaborate with diverse teams and represent Mars at global industry events.
- 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
- 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 in London employer: Mars - UK
Mars Food & Nutrition is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and sustainability while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong commitment to employee development through initiatives like Mars University, associates are empowered to grow their skills and advance their careers in a dynamic environment. Located in a vibrant setting, the company offers competitive salaries and benefits, making it an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and impactful work in the food and nutrition sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global R&D Director, Innovation & Renovation, Mars Food & Nutrition in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food and nutrition industry, especially those who have experience with innovation and renovation. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your past successes in R&D leadership, particularly in global innovation. Use this as a conversation starter during interviews to demonstrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow relevant publications and thought leaders in food science and digital transformation. This knowledge will not only impress interviewers but also help you engage in meaningful discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining Mars Food & Nutrition and being part of their innovative journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Global R&D Director, Innovation & Renovation, Mars Food & Nutrition in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Global R&D Director role. Highlight your experience in innovation and renovation, and don’t forget to mention your leadership skills and how they align with our goals at Mars Food & Nutrition.
Showcase Your Achievements:We want to see your track record! Include specific examples of successful projects you've led in R&D, especially those that demonstrate your expertise in consumer insights and digital transformation. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value creativity and a unique perspective, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for food science and sustainability. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Good luck!
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 prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in driving consumer-centric and science-based products.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading large, multicultural teams. Share specific examples of how you've inspired creativity and agility within your teams, and how you’ve successfully managed stakeholder relationships in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Your Digital Savvy
Given the emphasis on digital transformation, be ready to discuss how you've leveraged digital technologies like data analytics and AI in your past projects. Prepare to share concrete examples of how these tools have driven innovation in your R&D efforts.
✨Emphasise Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability is key for this role, so come equipped with examples of how you've led sustainability initiatives in packaging or product development. Discuss any regulatory compliance challenges you've navigated and how you ensured adherence to global standards.
