Product Development Scientist

Mars; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Product Development Scientist in Slough, UK, with hybrid work arrangement requiring at least 50% on-site presence. The role supports Innovation and NPD launches, providing value leadership and recipe adjustments to stay ahead of regulatory changes.

The candidate will translate ideas with marketing, lead development projects in cross-functional teams, and ensure product specifications enable accurate costing and quality performance across brands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a technical area including engineering, chemistry or food science.
• Proven project management skills leading development projects as the key technical member on cross-functional teams.
• Experience translating ideas with marketing and influencing direction with suppliers and factories.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development activities and be accountable for execution of programs to bring projects to commercialization.
• Ensure products meet brand quality attributes and specifications.
• Develop products through kitchen and pilot plant stages.
• Develop products in line with timelines for successful market launches.
• Ensure product specifications align with costing and inputs into recipe systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate desirability, feasibility, and viability for projects.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder influence

Growth mindset

Education

Bachelor of Science in a technical area

Job description

Job Description:

Product Development Scientist

Location: Slough, UK, hybrid type (50% min on-site)
Salary: £43,500 - £54,000, annual bonus, benefits

As Product Development Scientist at Mars, you will support Innovation and NPD product launches, value leadership and recipe adjustments required to keep us abreast of regulatory changes. We're looking for someone with strong drive and problem solving skills to progress projects and strong personal development skills and agility to learn from experience.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor of Science in a technical area including engineering, chemistry, food science is required
• Proven Project management skills typically acquired through years of professional experience in leading development projects as the key technical member on a cross-functional team.
• Experience of translating ideas and concepts with marketing, influencing stakeholders on direction and execution with suppliers and factories.
• Proven track record of management of complex projects through execution, preferably with cross functional teams
• Development and growth mindset, agility in learning, self-development, communication and problem solving.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Responsible for leading product development activities and is accountable for the execution of the allocated programs and work streams to bring project through to commercialization
• Ensures that the product development delivers for the brands and that they are designed to meet the brand key quality attributes.
• Develops products through kitchen and pilot plant stage.
• Develops products in line with timelines to ensure successful market launches.
• Ensures that the product specifications are accurate to ensure correct costing and inputs into recipe systems.
• Ensures that Product quality standards for each new and current product to ensure performance at the required level for our products.
• Works within cross-functional teams to ensure that desirability, feasibility and viability are evaluated for all projects as part of the development process.
• Works closely with R&D Factory Innovation peers to ensure products developed can be scaled effectively within existing internal manufacturing technology capabilities.
• Collaborates with regional R&D peers to ensure the effective technical delivery of the project
• Remains abreast of new developments in food technologies, packaging, design, category trends and related fields

What can you expect from Mars?

• 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 a company bonus.

Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site: https://careers.mars.com/global/en

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.