Senior Research Manager Nutrition and Health Sciences

WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition

Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire

£68k – £90k plus excellent benefits

Background The WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition is a leading scientific authority in pet nutrition and wellbeing, and has been advancing the frontiers of scientific research into the nutrition and health of pets for over 50 years. WALTHAM is the fundamental science centre for Mars Petcare, which is part of Mars Inc.;it focuses on the nutrition and wellbeing of dogs, cats, horses, birds and fish, and their benefits to humans. At Mars Petcare we are committed to creating a better world for pets, producing market leading brands such as Pedigree®, Whiskas®, Sheba® and Cesar®. The knowledge generated by WALTHAM is vital in bringing this vision to life. Mars is a family owned company with worldwide annual sales of over $30 billion. Since 1932 Mars has been producing much loved brands in the UK including MARS, SNICKERS, GALAXY, MALTESERS, EXTRA, ORBIT, PEDIGREE, WHISKAS, UNCLE BEN'S, DOLMIO, KLIX and FLAVIA. Globally we also produce ROYAL CANIN, IAMS, EUKANUBA, JAMES WELLBELOVED and NUTRO. In the UK, Mars employs nearly 4,000 Associates across six key segments; Petcare, Chocolate, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience and Gum and Confections.

Would you like to start a career at Mars? In order to succeed in an increasingly competitive pet food and pet care market, WALTHAM needs novel, innovative and profitable technologies and concepts. You will be responsible for delivering the pet care fundamental Nutritional and Health Sciences research portfolio. The research projects within this portfolio may be conducted in house or in collaboration with external research institutes. You are accountable for the delivery of scientific knowledge and intellectual property, as well as ensuring that the Nutrition and Health Sciences research portfolio meets the changing needs of the business. The business requires scientific expertise and knowledge in order to devise effective product and communications strategies. You must proactively provide scientific advice and leadership in your area of research by utilising your own expertise and the expertise within your research team and external consultants. You are expected to have an extensive network of resources.

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You must have the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders with the ability to influence at all levels internally and externally. You will need to have good critical thinking, sound judgment, awareness of the implications of Nutrition recommendations that influence both the pet and product and be able to make timely and sound decisions to evaluate the business context and impact of advice. You will be responsible for ensuring that emerging trends (issues and opportunities) in Nutrition sciences are highlighted and understood by the Business. This will require expertise and judgment to ensure that the potential and implications of such trends are fully understood and ensure that this knowledge is effectively translated and deployed to the global business. You will have a strong ability to communicate a clear and compelling vision that inspires associates and brings to life support and enthusiasm for the vision with a clear map and milestones. With a passion for mentoring, coaching and inspiring a team with a strong focus on the development of talent.

What will be your key responsibilities in the role? Research and Product Portfolio Management • Define and manages a high quality Nutrition and Health Sciences related research portfolio in line with Global Petcare need and strategy and in accordance to the defined processes and Home Office, ethical and external affairs requirements.

• Deliver proprietary knowledge applicable to the development of Mars Petcare and ensure the knowledge generated is made available to the Petcare SBUs worldwide.

• Identify potential collaborations with external academic and university departments & actively build relationships with external collaborators.

• Ensure the scientific robustness/ quality of research portfolio through regular external academic peer review.

• Ensure research teams are sharing knowledge and best practices.

• Ensure a knowledge management/intellectual property strategy is in place to make sure the generated knowledge is captured and protected, and supports the Scientific Communications team who are responsible for the communication of research outputs.

• Issues recommendations to the business based on the outputs of the research.

• Acts as, and is seen as, the technical expert in nutrition & health sciences both internally and externally.

• Develop and maintains international recognition in Nutrition and Health sciences in order to influence academic bodies, legislators, opinion formers, trade associations and the scientific community.

• •Leverage knowledge and discoveries across Petcare segment by supporting technology teams to translate fundamental discoveries into world class brands.

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Line Management/Team Development & Leadership • Provide strong leadership to Nutrition & Health Science Team and within the broader WCPN community.

• Ensures that associates have appropriate level of skills, are aware of their role and have the means to develop

• Manage direct reports through regular reviews and objective setting, constructing compelling development plans to stretch and develop associates.

• Facilitate personal development of direct reports through coaching and identification of appropriate learning & development interventions.

• Ensure the calibre of the team through appropriate recruitment and performance management

Financial Planning • Budget & resource planning, tracking and resource management within the Nutrition & Health team & project portfolio.

What are we looking for in our ideal candidate? We are looking for someone with strong leadership skills and experience with a high drive for results and ability to deliver through others. You will be comfortable in initiating and driving change within a complex organisation, using your knowledge and external networks to leverage support.

With a minimum PhD qualification, ideally in Nutrition or Health related science you will have proven experience in devising and managing scientific research programmes within a scientific research establishment. Able to demonstrate proven scientific output, communicating complex science verbally and in writing to a variety of expert and non-technical audiences.

This role is global in its outreach and will require 10-20% travel. You will be based at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Leicestershire.

At Mars we invest in people and really give them the freedom to fly. So if we’ve just described you and your career aspirations, to apply, please contact Denise Elliott [email protected].

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