Scientist Product Development

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 79,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Mars in Chicago, IL is seeking a Scientist to develop and execute new product formulations across the Gum & Mints portfolio (Extra, Airwaves, Hubba Bubba). You’ll translate consumer insights into bench-top prototypes and scale them to factory production with cross-functional partners.

You will lead formulation, prototyping, and technical projects from concept through launch, collaborating with Marketing, Supply Chain, Packaging, Quality, and Procurement to ensure successful commercial launches

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related scientific discipline.
• 3+ years of FMCG product development experience.
• Hands-on experience in a food lab, test kitchen, or pilot plant environment.
• Experience taking products from concept to launch.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and communication with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and test gum and mint formulations in the laboratory and pilot plant for sensory, consumer or shelf life testing.
• Lead the technical delivery of assigned innovation, cost-optimization, and ingredient-continuity projects within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Partner with manufacturing and factory innovation teams to test and validate formulations on full-scale production lines.
• Create and maintain accurate raw material, recipe, and finished product specifications to ensure consistent product quality, food safety compliance, and accurate costing.
• Take technical leadership of projects and collaborate with other technical functions to represent the technical voice in cross functional project meetings.
• Partner effectively with Marketing, Supply Chain, Packaging, Quality, and Procurement to evaluate project feasibility and ensure smooth commercial launches.
• Apply sound scientific methods and root-cause analysis to troubleshoot recipe, stability, or processing issues.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Communication

Multi-priority handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science/Chemistry/Chemical Engineering

Tools

Pilot plant equipment

Job description

Job Description:

The Scientist develops and executes new product formulations, line extensions, and product improvements across theGum & Mintsportfolio (such as Extra, Airwaves and Hubba Bubba). Working closely with cross-functional partners, this role turns consumer insights into tangible, great-tasting products from initial benchtop prototype through to factory scale-up.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, a related scientific discipline or equivalent
• 3+ years of FMCG product development experience
• Hands-on experience in a food lab, test kitchen, or pilot plant environment.
• Project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience of taking products from concept to launch.
• Strong problem-solving mindset and technical curiosity.
• Concise communication and experience of stakeholder management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, a related scientific discipline or equivalent

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Product Formulation & Prototyping:Design and test gum and mint formulations in the laboratory and pilot plant for sensory, consumer or shelf life testing.
• Project Execution:Lead the technical delivery of assigned innovation, cost-optimization, and ingredient-continuity projects within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Scale-up & Factory Trials:Partner with manufacturing and factory innovation teams to test and validate formulations on full-scale production lines.
• Specifications & Quality:Create and maintain accurate raw material, recipe, and finished product specifications to ensure consistent product quality, food safety compliance, and accurate costing.
• Technical Project Lead: Take technical leadership of projects and collaborate with other technical functions to represent the technical voice in cross functional project meetings.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Partner effectively with Marketing, Supply Chain, Packaging, Quality, and Procurement to evaluate project feasibility and ensure smooth commercial launches.
• Problem Solving:Apply sound scientific methods and root-cause analysis to troubleshoot recipe, stability, or processing issues.

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.
• 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.

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role.

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The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 79,280.00 - USD 109,010.00