R&D Product Development

Job Purpose / Overview:

The Central Innovation Technology Hubs play a key role in contributing to the delivery of our Pet Nutrition growth sufficiency ambition. This is achieved through the delivery of innovation projects spanning our brands within Pet Nutrition.

The scope of these projects varies in the levels of complexity but typically encompasses innovation and renovation which covers different ingredients, processes, packaging, product designs and claim technologies.

The associate in this role will be expected to serve as technical project leader (TPL) and contribute to the development of superior propositions based on pet & pet parent insights. They will work in close partnership with the relevant marketing and supply functions, brand boards and R&D functional teams to ensure the technical robustness and validation of the product design.

Responsibilities:

• Technical project lead for central product innovation projects. This role represents all R&D functions as part of the core project team and leads the technical project team to ensure the development and validation of superior propositions based on pet & pet parent insights and robust technical deliveries and readiness at DB and AB stage gates.
• Accountable for technical delivery of medium/high complexity innovation projects or sub-projects ensuring compliance to relevant S&OP+ business processes (Global Innovation Process (GIP), QUEST, Design for Vertical Start Up Product & Pack). This includes effectively managing delivery on time, cost and quality whilst working with and influencing key stakeholders.
• Leads technical project team with risk and opportunity management mindset. Accountable for the delivery of robust risk assessments and timely communication to core project team and key ·       stakeholders at each stage gate. This includes both written and verbal high-quality communications of project status, breakthroughs, and findings.
• Accountable to ensure product solutions deliver to agreed business model that consistently delivers against project critical success factors and targets (Nutrition standard (MPENS, AFFCO, etc), palatability, digestibility and feaces quality, recipe cost, carbon intensity, shelf-life, and claims). Understands and apply regulatory/legal legislations, quality standards, and food & people safety considerations to development.
• Leverages internal and external resources to build relevant competitor landscapes to identify insights on product design, claims, ingredients, etc.
• Responsible for generating and being the custodian of relevant product project deliverables at GIB-NPR-DB-AB stage gates across S&OP+ business process (e.g. Product Brief, technical project time plan, Product key quality attributes, Central Product specifications, Technical Readiness Reviews (at DB and AB) and Product Innovation Blueprint.
• Responsible for working seamlessly with Central & Local Marketing, Process & Packaging Innovation, Regional and Site R&D, Commercial, CMI, and Supply to establish product targets and key routes to implementation.
• Responsible for building functional excellence in Product Development. This includes being informed of technological, innovation and business trends, competitive set, trade customers, equipment suppliers and be able to match & apply to development projects.
• Responsible for proactively managing Intellectual Property risks and opportunities.
• Responsible for providing training and support to other associates, within the Product Development fields in which the job holder has expertise.

Context and Scope:

• High degree of self-autonomy within pre-defined area of responsibility and within the agreed business strategy and processes (e.g. QuEST, S&OP+, GIP, Design for Vertical Start Up Product & Pack, etc.)
• Leading global innovation projects within the Central Innovation program requires a high level of independence and self-responsibility.
• Executing Central Innovation projects within this role has multiple dimensions and medium/high scope and complexity across functional / technical, people and organisational aspects. Delivery across pet food technologies are extensive from a raw material, recipe, product format / function and manufacturing / processing perspective.  Potential implementation of product / process solutions at sites in multiple regions entails understanding of how challenges to scale-up and implementation may vary by region.
• Building up and continuously improving deep knowledge of consumer and pet insights, recipe, technology, technical project leadership and product/material development.
• Works resourcefully to develop relevant solutions for the respected Central Innovation Projects targeting the sweet spot between Desirability, Viability, Feasibility and Sustainability (DVFS mindset).
• Knowledgeable of S&OP+ (PMR) processes and able to identify implications for key markets while partnering with Deployment teams for blueprints and global rollouts plans. Has ability to effectively navigate complex challenges and change management initiatives.
• Building close collaborative relationships cross-functionally (Demand (marketing, CMI, S&F), Supply functions, R&D functional teams, Mars Pet Centres, Commercial (Raw materials quality improvement and buying), Activity Management.
• Planning and execution of line trials at both pilot and production scale, including designing early prototypes, trial risk assessments, complete the paperwork associated with pack outs, analytical testing requests, shelf life studies, feeding requests, purchasing materials, etc.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Minimum requirement is a graduate degree around food science / technology / engineering / chemical engineering or similar field with 6+ years Product Development or Product Innovation experience.
• Must have excellent communication skills - English (written/verbal)
• 6+ years Product Development/Product Innovation experience required in food related Industry
• Must have experience with leading technical project teams
• Must have experience in translating Insights Into product execution (Idea to concept to execution)
• Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Technical project management experience and expertise.