Principal Scientist/Technologist, Packaging

Job Description:

You will be responsible for the development and deployment of new technologies based on the Technology agenda for the Mars Food & Nutrition segment. Next to that you will provide technology expertise for strategic business-critical activities with a focus on Packaging

What will be your key responsibilities?

• S&T pack program lead
• Responsible for developing and implementing a packaging technology program fully aligned with Mars F&N future ambition and focused on next-generation packaging material, format and technology, ready to be deployed in 3-5 years
• Engage, influence and collaborate with R&D innovation, sustainability lead, technology suppliers, Mars Advance Research Institute for developing and executing pack program
• Identifying and collaborate with relevant external partnerships to develop technology pilots under the program
• Build relationships with Petcare, Mars Snacking, MARI, academics, and start-ups to ensure we remain at the forefront of packaging technology (relevant to the segment)
• Work with R&D leadership team for the prioritisation of initiatives under the program, to get best return on the investment
• Technical Project Lead on behalf of the Global R&D to lead Pack deployment
• Responsible for developing and implementing the deployment work plan.
• Work with wider R&D to ensure sustainable solutions are available for deployment.
• Engage, influence and align with global teams in support of the deployment project. The job holder will work closely with the Global engineering, R&D, Q&FS, site project leads, Site CVS and Technology suppliers for a successful deployment and handover.
• Responsible for communication (both written and verbal) of technical scope, risks, outputs and technical breakthroughs (if any) and, then influence project team and key stakeholders toward successful deployment.
• Participate in pre-project feasibility at the receiving site.
• Make sure appropriate expertise is available or developed within receiving sites (through training and mentorship) to support deployment
• Responsible for supporting the receiving site with their CVS planning and activation through collaboration with R&D, Supply and Engineering in some cases providing steering to ensure a successful start-up
• As a part of post-implementation handover, the job holder is expected to work closely with site and the project team to identify areas of continuous improvement, and standardization and the support the site to create a road map to implement the changes.
• Accountable for developing and implementing deployment standards and in doing so building strong connections and ways of working across the wider packaging community and manufacturing sites globally
• Participate and collaborate in the Centre of Expertise (CoE) for packaging technologies, driving an aligned agenda in line with the priorities set in the packaging strategy
• As a guardian and go to technology experts support/ lead business critical initiatives and problem solving involving packaging technology
• Responsible to manage availability including flexibility due to differing time zones, also ensure availability at times of deployment at a receiving site where necessary.

• Master in an Engineering/ Science/Technology field with a proven track record in food related technologies, global working experience is essential.
• Phd - process engineering/ food technology/ material science preferred
• Min 10 years experience in FMCG, CPG with atleast 3 years in food industry packaging area
• Good understanding of relevant food manufacturing processes and champion in technology development and deployment
• Good understanding of process-product interaction and be able to create insights benefiting the goals of the projects.
• Proven track record in leading teams mentoring and coaching talents Proven leadership capabilities in particular with teams of non-direct reports and multifunctional disciplines. Line management experience in a business environment will be a plus
• Proven project management experience, with managing complex project at global scale
• Proven ability to lead in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Proven ability to transfer technical knowledge and skills.
• The success of this role requires ad-hoc global travel, which can be up to 4 weeks at a time. Travel will be dependent on the number of deployments. The ability to work cross time zones as well as the ability to hold a passport and obtain Visa's for relevant countries is mandatory
• Technical leader who practices breakthrough thinking and navigates complex challenges. Ability to impact and influence associates of all sizes at all levels of management
• Experience managing external stakeholders: Suppliers, research institutes, regulators, industry groups, academics and start-ups
• good understanding of innovation stage gate process
• Good business acumen to faciliate and support decision making
• English level - fluent verbal and written

• Drive for results
• Strategic agility
• Practicing Break Through thinking
• Navigating complex challenges and ambiguity
• Building effective teams
• Organizational savvy
• Customer focus
• Cross cultural agility
• Strong R&D technical background

• 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.
• [Insert any additional market/role specific benefits that the candidate might be interested in]