Global Consumer Technical Insights Program Leader

Job Description:

Consumer Technical Insights (CTI) Program Leader

The Consumer Technical Insights (CTI) Program Leader provides technical leadership to guide and lead the design of superior pet parent product experiences for their respective innovation project pipeline ensuring this pipeline will deliver category building innovation and superior propositions for pet parents.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Science (Food Science, Chemistry, Animal/Nutritional, etc.) or Engineering (Chemical, Biochemical, Food, etc.).
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in R&D/consumer research/manufacturing. Includes previous experience in a strong technical leadership role, such as product development or engineering.
• A candidate that demonstrates key strengths in consumer empathy, innovation management, strategic agility, business acumen, and a drive for results.
• Must have demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative consumer product research methods, as well as expertise in translating learnings into measurable technical requirements, and actionable plans & strategies. Must be adept at bridging technical data and consumer criteria.
• Strong team orientation and ability to lead projects effectively across regions and with cross functional partners - must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical team members as it relates back to the business.
• Experience in consumer research in both Upstream/Front End and Product Development/Qualification/Launch

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coaching others in product-focused consumer research
• CPG/Food/Pet Food Industry experience
• Experienced in sensory research techniques and analysis
• Strong background in statistics applied to consumer and sensory data

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Collaborate with Platform innovation team to evolve the DS2 innovation pipeline for their platform in line with innovation and brand strategy, ensuring the pipeline will be a roadmap to achieve our Superior Proposition ambition.
• Ensure we develop a deep understanding of prioritized pet parent benefit areas for their need state.
• Responsible to lead the definition of proposition specific JTBD (Job To Be Done) for all projects in the innovation pipeline for their platform and the translation into tangible differentiators for the product experience as input to the product and pack brief for R&D. This involves leading the cross-functional team in the discovery and ideation phase of a project to define the product experience brief.
• Responsible to align product CSFs with Marketing that will ensure the product experience will deliver against pet parent JTBD and deliver towards a superior proposition.
• Responsible for the creation and delivery of all learnings plans to develop and validate the unbranded product proposition for their innovation pipeline projects.
• Playing an active role in the DVF exploration, being a key collaborator with Marketing and CMI to define Desirability, making sure they proactively push the boundaries to increase likelihood of success for the project.
• Key contact for the Portfolio Leaders on their platform teams to support them with transversal insight on the proposition performance (link to Preference Plus program).
• Cultivate a strong pet parent centricity mindset in the R&D community, role-modeling design thinking and agile execution and being the voice of the pet parent.
• Act as a key and active member of their Innovation platform team.

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 a company bonus.

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role.

This role is not eligible for relocation benefits.

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Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.