Senior Product Development Scientist at Mars, Incorporated in FRANKLIN, Tennessee

Job Description:

Job Description:

The position is responsible to support the delivery of innovation as well as maintenance and continuous improvement of (dry main meal, wet main meal, or care & treats) products for all NA production sites. The associate will work cross-functionally to provide technical support for existing products, lead new product development and drive continuous improvement, all while maintaining quality design and delivering desired product performance to both the consumer and pet. This position is also responsible to coach, mentor and help develop more junior associates. The role operates in a pet friendly, open office environment supporting pet nutrition.

What are we looking for?
Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Food Science or Food Engineering, or related technical field


• 5+ years experience in research and development within a CPG company; product development experience preferred


• Food science / food chemistry and animal nutrition experience


• Understanding of Petfood consumers, market opportunities, recipes, raw materials and process constraints


• Strong knowledge of applicable petfood technologies and the manufacturing processes used to produce feed and petfood ingredients


• Strong knowledge of product development from bench top to full scale production


• Strong ability to work cross functionally with people in other disciplines/business areas


• Strong experience in design of experiments and product design, to include functionality and interactions of raw materials


• Demonstrated excellence in project management and capability to lead cross functional projects


• Intellectually curious to find and develop opportunities


• Ability to communicate and transfer knowledge to others in various forms (presentations, written reports, emails, training)


• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent in Food Science or Food Engineering, or related technical field

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead the translation of consumer insights into holistic concepts (product and packaging).


• Use appropriate tools to facilitate concept and prototype evaluation (creation and presentation).


• Create and align product design briefs with cross functional project team.


• Specify product design attributes and quality targets.


• Own product development within projects.


• Support Process and Packaging Development Teams.


• Contribute product design expertise to unit, regional, and global communities for the pet food segment.


• Follow corporate labelling and claim policy.


• Support and/or lead agreed continuous improvement projects and initiatives.


• Lead agreed productivity / value leadership projects and initiatives.


• Support business continuity contingencies that would require product development input.


• Contribute product design expertise to unit, regional and global communities for the Pet Nutrition segment.


• Mentor and coach more junior R&D associates.

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.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-AM1

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.