Unit Specialist– Pet Welfare & Science Support

Mars; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Parental leave

Pension (up to 9% contribution)

Life assurance (4x salary)

Annual leave 24–32 days

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Mars in Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire, is seeking a Unit Specialist– Pet Welfare & Science Support to deliver exceptional welfare standards and enable high-quality pet science delivery.

You will work as part of a specialist multidisciplinary team supporting welfare, behavioural, veterinary and scientific outcomes, on a 9.5-hour shift rotated over 7 days with rota allowance and a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Professional animal handling experience is required.
• Strong understanding of welfare and behaviour principles.
• High attention to detail and data accuracy with a focus on quality.
• Interest in scientific or technical environments.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weathers.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and maintain gold-standard welfare, enrichment, and husbandry.
• Behavioural observations, data capture and sample support for research studies.
• Support behavioural assessments, recreation and individual development plans.
• Monitor health, behaviour and wellbeing.

Skills

Professional animal handling

Welfare principles

Data accuracy

Scientific environments

Full UK driving licence

Outdoor work in all weathers

Job description

Unit Specialist– Pet Welfare & Science Support Mars City of Leicester, City of Leicester, United Kingdom

This job is with Mars, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Job Description

Waltham on the Wolds
£30,200 -£31,400 inclusive of rota allowance
+ Company performance bonus & Exceptional Benefits

9.5 hours per day on rotation working over 7 days (average of 37.5 hours per week)

As a Unit Specialist, you will play a key role in delivering exceptional welfare standards while enabling high-quality pet science and research delivery. You will operate as part of a specialist multidisciplinary team supporting welfare, behavioural, veterinary, and scientific outcomes.

What's in it for you?

• Private healthcare + equal parental leave


• Generous pension (up to 9% contribution)


• Life assurance (4x salary)


• Annual leave starting at 24 days, rising to 32 with service


• Career Opportunities, the role offers development into specialist, technical, or science-support career pathways within pet welfare, behaviour and research environments.


• Welfare & Environment Delivery: Deliver and maintain gold-standard welfare, enrichment, and husbandry.


• Behaviour & Training Support: Support behavioural assessments, recreation and individual development plans.


• Health & Welfare Monitoring: Monitor health, behaviour, and wellbeing.


• Scientific Programme Support: Deliver accurate behavioural observations, data capture, and sample support for research studies.

What We're Looking For

• Professional animal handling experience


• Strong understanding of welfare and behaviour principles


• High attention to detail and data accuracy with a focus on quality


• Interest in scientific or technical environments


• Full UK driving licence


• Comfortable working outdoors in all weathers

What You Can Expect from Mars

• Work alongside 130,000+ Associates worldwide guided by our Five Principles


• Be part of a purpose-driven company shaping \"the world we want tomorrow\"


• Access world-class training & development from day one


• Join a company with an industry-leading salary and benefits package