Sr. Scientist, Consumer Technical Insights

Mars Incorporated; Franklin (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking a seasoned researcher to lead palatability and flavor applications across pet foods. You will oversee research programs, coordinate with platform leaders, and drive knowledge transfer within global teams.

The role requires strong analytical skills, project management, and the ability to partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure competitive product performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum masters in food science/chemistry or similar discipline.
• Experience in palatability/flavor applications for pet foods or human foods is preferred.
• Strong understanding of analytical methods and palatant/flavor delivery solutions.
• Broad understanding of the pet food industry, consumer trends and scientific innovations.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with ability to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead palatability research programs and projects with key stakeholders.
• Provide input on stability and success factors of products to meet internal guidelines.
• Identify gaps in knowledge and technologies in palatability and associated scientific areas.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to advance palatability goals.
• Supervise projects/workstreams led by other scientists in palatability areas.
• Contribute to global knowledge transfer with functional teams.
• Own regional product performance system planning, execution and reporting.

Skills

Palatability research

Flavor applications

Project management

Food chemistry

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical methods

External collaboration

Education

Master's in food science/chemistry

PhD in food science/chemistry

Tools

Analytical methods

Palatant delivery solutions

Job description

Job Description:

Purpose of Role

To provide expertise in all areas of product performance, including palatability, digestibility & stability of our portfolio across dry, wet & care & treats.

Ensures all aspects of internal and external science provisions in this field (internal and external research projects) are delivered to the appropriate quality and technical standards as demanded by the Global Petcare business.

Delivers palatability and flavor application technology for pet food products for Mars Petcare North America covering the needs of pets and pet owners.

Supports ongoing monitoring and management of the regional performance program, including working with platform leaders on the selection, testing and follow through on any actions related to product performance

Provides solutions to product developers to ensure competitive performance of our portfolio

Principle Accountabilities

• Embrace and live the Mars culture by leading with The Five Principles.
• Initiation and leading of pet food palatability research projects and programs aligned with key stakeholders
• Provide input and feedback on the stability and critical success factors of our products to ensure they meet the Mars internal guidelines
• Identification of gaps in knowledge and technologies in pet food palatability and related scientific areas.
• Identification of opportunities for collaborative research work with internal and external (outside Mars) teams to initiate and execute projects aimed to support achievement of palatability goals.
• Supervise projects and workstreams led by other research scientists in pet food palatability areas.
• Involvement in global knowledge transfer activities with the global functional teams & communities
• Work with internal & external stakeholders
• Own the regional Mars product performance system planning, execution & reporting through business forums

Critical Mars Leadership Capabilities

• Delivers Consistent Results
• Creates Collaborative Relationships Key Supporting Competencies
• Drive for results
• Functional/Technical Skills
• Priority Setting
• Peer Relationships
• Customer Focus
• Listening

Critical Functional Competencies

• Research Deign and Execution
• Internal & External Networks
• Influencing
• External Influence & Collaboration
• Communication of Research Outcomes
• Business Acumen

Key Functional Skills/Knowledge

• A thorough understanding of analytical methods and palatant/flavor delivery solutions.
• A thorough understanding of food/flavor chemistry in the food matrix.
• A thorough understanding of Project management.
• Broad understanding of the pet food industry, consumer trends and scientific innovations.
• Highly intellectually curious to find and develop solutions.
• Strong communication skills to clearly articulate study objectives and outputs

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum masters in food science/chemistry sciences or similar discipline

Preferred Qualifications

• Greater than 5 years' experience in developing palatability/flavor applications for human or pet foods.
• PhD in food science/chemistry sciences or similar discipline

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 company bonus.