Purpose of Role:

The Regional Consultancy & Audit Senior Scientist executes client centric laboratory consultancy and technical governance services to address customer needs and drive value into the business, including:

• Provides expert advice and guidance to regional development centers and factories on experimental design and data interpretation

• Manages escalation testing for incidents by providing professional services and managing lab investigations enabling sites to focus on incident resolution

• Contributes to lab governance activities through site laboratory and external laboratory technical audits, execution and follow-up in relevant field (Microbiology or Chemistry)

• Serves as a key point of contact to manage external lab relationships within the region

The MGS Regional Laboratory is responsible for the delivery of microbiology and/or chemistry operational testing capability, laboratory governance and consultancy services for all segments of Mars Incorporated operating in their region. The main customers of the regional lab are Supply (manufacturing sites), Commercial and R&D functions.

In a highly demanding environment, strong customer focus and a high drive for results are essential to transform our client facing services, at the required speed of execution. Reporting to the MGS Regional Client Value Manager, the MGS Consultancy & Audit Senior Scientist will be responsible for providing client centric laboratory consultancy and technical governance services to address customer needs and drive value into the business.

The jobholder will need to have strong collaborative and listening skills to engage regional clients and stakeholders in understanding their needs. The role holder will need strong communication and action-orientation skills to provide consultancy and crisis management support.

Up to 30% global travel with occasional weekends away from home due to the participation to the external and site laboratories audit (in relevant field : Micro or Chemistry).

Key Responsibilities 

• Provides consultancy support to regional stakeholders (e.g., Factories, Product Development, Global Innovation Centers, SQA), with experimental design and data interpretation 

• Identifies external laboratory with capability to perform specific analysis not available in the current test portfolio, including method selection 

• Manages escalation testing for crisis incidents by providing professional services in relevant field (Microbiology or Chemistry) 

• Maintain and provide knowledge of regionally required/preferred analysis methods. 

• Links to MGS Laboratories Global team for escalation of serious incidents, new Method requests, large regional programs, external lab feedback and relations 

• Contributes to lab governance activities through site laboratories and external laboratories, technical audits, execution and CAPA follow-up in relevant field (Microbiology or Chemistry). 

Knowledge/Experience 

• Proven (≥5 years) technical laboratory background in food testing methods, ideally across pet and human food matrices  

• Extensive knowledge of quality and food safety analysis (contaminants, nutritional composition, oxidation, physical parameters, etc) (Chemistry-only) 

• Working experience in technical audit 

• Knowledge of ISO 17025 laboratory requirements, working experience  

• Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills  

• Fluent in writing and speaking English Key Supporting Competencies  

• Performance evaluation and continuous improvement  

• Risk and opportunity management 

Education & Professional Qualification  

• Degree (Masters preferred), in Relevant Field (Chemistry or Microbiology or related discipline) 

Every associate at Mars has responsibility for the achievement of quality and food safety.

As a privately-held, family-owned company, Mars US offers benefits which reflect our commitment to attracting and retaining great people. This includes excellent pay, competitive health and dental care coverage, a retirement plan, a very competitive vacation plan and unrivalled career advancement opportunities, to name just a few of our unique and generous benefits.

If you're looking for a place where you can take ownership for your work, where the pace is fast, the environment is built around the importance of open communication, and where employees are called "associates" and treated as such, then we want to hear from you. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, 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. Visit www.mars.com to learn more about our company and for information about all of our current openings. Please, no agencies. Mars Inc. is a tobacco free workplace.

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.