Pet parent centric innovation is a critical enabler to the future success of the Mars Pet Nutrition. This role is responsible for delivering powerful pet parent insights in service of addressing Jobs- to-be-Done, and for developing and validating innovative propositions that drive growth, create value, and build meaningful differentiation -from inception through to launch. The job holder will play a pivotal role in driving our innovation agenda and shaping the future of the Mars Pet Nutrition portfolio powered by deep pet parent and pet insights

This is a co-piloting role which requires the holder to act as a strategic thought partner to Global Brand and  Innovation teams. The role integrates consumer insight, cultural understanding, advanced analytics, and pet parent closeness tools to elevate decision-making and unlock growth. The Co‑Pilot operates as a core member of strategic discussions, challenging assumptions, bringing new thinking to the table and ensuring the voice of the pet parent meaningfully shapes brand, portfolio, and innovation strategies and decision-making.

This role reports to the Global Director Pet Parent Insights and works in close partnership with Global Innovation Program Leaders, Global Innovation Program Senior Director, and cross-functional leaders in Brand Marketing, R&D, CTI, Finance.

Primary responsibilities:

• Uncovers Powerful Pet Parent & Pet Insights to Fuel Winning Innovation: Uncovers and brings to life powerful insights that address priority Jobs-to-be-Done and underpin the development of innovative solutions -products, services, and experiences.

• Champions Pet Parent Co-Creation of Innovation Value Propositions: Determines the appropriate methods and platforms to engage with communities of pet parents, key target groups and customers in the co-creation process.

• Leads Development and execution of Learning Plans to feed innovation pipeline: Learning plans are based on application of agile innovation methodologies to develop winning propositions and accelerate time-to-market. Collaborates closely with partners across different functions to implement agile practices, allowing for minimum viable product prototyping and iterative testing, based on pet parents & pets feedback as well as robust insight driven evaluation and optimization of ideas throughout the QUEST process

• Partners with CTI/R&D to ensure opportunity areas are linked to current and future technologies (science, ingredients, benefits, packaging) to create our future innovation pipeline

• Assess Size of Opportunity and Size of Prize for Innovation Propositions: Assesses the market and business potential of market opportunities and new product/services ideas.

• Collaborates and Builds Strong Partnership with Marketing/Innovation Team Program leaders and Partners: Partners with Pet Parent Program Leaders and Director in the development and alignment of the 2-6-year strategic innovation pipeline.

• Knowledge Management Harvesting, Sharing and Documenting: Champions knowledge harvest, knowledge sharing, and disciplined documentation and communication of the results, insights, and recommendations from innovation projects for stakeholders and relevant teams.

Education & Professional Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in marketing, business, or a related field.

MBA or similar advanced business degree preferred.

Knowledge / Experience:

• 7-10+ years of experience in market research, consumer insights, and innovation roles within the CPG industry. Direct experience and proven success in leading insights for innovation including front-end innovation is a must have.

• Technical Mastery and thought leadership on market research, innovation methodologies.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex research findings to stakeholders at all levels and to drive insights to action

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and lead sprints with short timelines.

• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.

Mars Leadership Competencies

• Business Insight

• Cultivates Innovation

• Action-Oriented

• Collaborates

• Builds Networks

• Communicates Effectively

• Manages Ambiguity

Functional/ Technical Skills

• Market research: Experience leading complex market research projects with expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods and ability to apply them appropriately to business issues.

• Analytical Skills: Can identify and influence strategic decisions through fact-based analysis.

• Story-telling - ability to synthesise multiple data sets and create a compelling narrative that drives action

• Well-developed organization and project management skills to manage multiple projects and priorities at one time

• Strong management and interpersonal skills. Ability to influence without formal authority.

• Builds strong partnerships across functions and with OEs as well as with key agency suppliers

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.

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