Product Development - Raw Material and Value Engineering Scientist
The Product Development - Raw Material and Value Engineering Scientist is an important role within the Europe and Central Eurasia R&D organization. This role is responsible for driving value leadership (VL), supply security and simplification of our raw materials, with a primary focus on chocolate materials. It requires deep technical product, raw material, and process understanding and collaboration with commercial, supply, and site teams to deliver VL, supply security and simplification of raws. The role holder manages opportunity selection through data‑driven decisions, maintains strong relationships with commercial partners, and is accountable for the investigation and execution of selected opportunities.
Location: Slough, UK – Hybrid work model (50% on‑site per week)
Salary: £42,700 – £50,500 (depending on knowledge & experience), annual bonus, benefits
What are we looking for?
* Minimum: Bachelor of Science in a technical area (engineering, chemistry, or food science) is required.
* Preferred: Masters degree in Product Development or Project Management.
* Minimum: Proven project management skills acquired through 3+ years of professional experience leading projects as the key technical member on a cross‑functional team; ability to prototype chocolate products in the R&D kitchen and pilot plant; excellent oral and written communication; strong learning agility.
* Preferred: Experience working with outside vendors to deliver project requirements.
What will be your key responsibilities?
* Assessment of opportunities identified for spec consolidation/simplification, value leadership or supply security; lead initiatives from scoping to implementation.
* Completion of Technical Product Risk Management documents and other process documents, ensuring they are kept up to date throughout the initiative.
* Management of specification review and updates.
* Liaise with the raw material team for Material Risk Assessment review and updates.
* Liaise with the raw material team for any changes to inspection plans.
* Collaborate with the Sensory team to organize and plan sensory testing.
* Conduct pilot plant work for prototypes/samples.
* Work closely with R&D Factory Innovation peers to scale product changes within existing manufacturing capabilities, assisting with line trials if required.
* General housekeeping: recipe updates, allergen labeling, lifestyle claims, or product specification updates.
* Collaborate with regional R&D peers, commercial and supply to ensure effective technical delivery of the project.
What can you expect from Mars?
* Work with diverse and talented Associates, guided by the Five Principles.
* Join a purpose‑driven company striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
* Best‑in‑class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
* An industry‑competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.
Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long‑term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.
#J-18808-Ljbffr