Job Description:
R&D Disruptive Innovation Senior Manager - Mars Global Pet Nutrition
The Disruptive Innovation Senior Manager is a key technical role that will shape the Future of Food for Pets, by creating and delivering category building breakthrough innovations that delight Pets and Pet Parents.
The role is responsible for identifying and exploring Pet Parents unmet needs, emerging technologies and use agile methods to validate new product ideas and opportunities to disrupt the pet food category. The role will be leading the disruptive R&D team and managing the execution of disruptive projects from ideation to launch.
What are we looking for?
- Minimum of BS degree or higher in a STEM field (Engineering, Chemistry, Food Science, etc.). Master's or PhD preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years (15 years preferred) of experience in R&D and innovation, preferably in FMCG, with a focus on product development, innovation, and brand management.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and influence cross-functional and global teams, and to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Strong technical background and knowledge of diverse technologies, such as cold form, cold-pressed, chilled/refrigerated, high/low water activity systems, retort, extrusion, baking, etc.
- Consumer-centric and market-driven mindset, with excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Creative and innovative thinker, with a passion for finding novel and impactful solutions to complex and ambiguous challenges.
- Effective communicator with the ability to tailor the message to different audiences and levels.
- Proven track record of delivering breakthrough/disruptive innovation, applying agile innovation models in a start-up and/or CPG environment preferred.
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What will be your key responsibilities?
- Develop and implement innovation strategies and roadmaps that align with the company's vision, mission, and innovation priorities.
- Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams of engineers, designers, researchers, and business partners to deliver high-quality products and services that meet and exceed customer expectations and market requirements.
- Conduct research and analysis to identify emerging trends, customer needs, and competitive gaps in the pet food category and related industries.
- Interpret insights from diverse sources to extract actionable strategic intelligence.
- Generate and evaluate ideas for disruptive innovation using various tools and approach, such as design thinking, strategic foresight, prototyping, agile development, MVPs, etc.
- Manage the innovation portfolio and pipeline, ensuring that projects are prioritized, resourced, and executed effectively and efficiently.
- Communicate and present innovation progress, results, and learnings to internal and external stakeholders, including senior stakeholders, business partners and customers.
- Influence, establish and maintain relationships cross-functionally to land opportunities and align strategies in a dynamic and complex environment with competing agendas.
- Foster a culture of innovation and creativity within the organization, encouraging collaboration, experimentation, and learning.
- Embrace and live the Mars culture by leading with The Five Principles
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.
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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.