Job Description:

R&D Senior Manager-T3-I 

As The Senior Research Manager you will be responsible for developing and delivering a 3-5 year research portfolio that addresses microbial risks and advances scalable food safety solutions across Mars Incorporated and the broader food industry. This role integrates microbial science and research cross-program priorities, such as Food Safe Net Zero, to drive food safety innovation and risk mitigation across the entire food supply chain. The role ensures Food Safety research aligns with stakeholder needs and framed business challenges related to food safety, complies with internal research quality standards, and adheres to value capture principles, while providing technical expertise and fostering collaboration with corporate and segment food safety professionals. As a member of the Global Food Safety Science leadership team role contributes into shaping and delivery of Global Food Safety Science Strategy.

Additionally, the role serves as an ambassador for Mars, sharing knowledge and advancing thought leadership in microbial risk management and food safety science through participation in global conferences, industry task forces, scientific publications, and GFSC training programs. The Senior Research Manager leads a team of researchers at the Mars Global Food Safety Center in Huairou, Beijing, and is accountable for building a highly engaged and talented team to deliver impactful results.

What will be your key responsibilities? 

- Develop and deliver the 3 - 5 year food safety research program for Microbial risk management with a focus across the food supply chain in a strong collaboration with internal stakeholders and experts. Support development and deliver a portfolio of cross-program research priorities with internal and external partners.

- Manage active 4-6 projects running at any one time.

- Ensure balanced portfolio continuously identifying new opportunities while closing projects that have either lost business relevance or haven’t delivered expected value based on science. Initiate regular reviews, informed by external insights, while ensuring the portfolio remains aligned with internal strategic objectives. Ensure each R&D project is compliant to adheres to value capture and scientific quality principles and is closely coordinated with internal cross-segment partners. Track Progress and manage knowledge, using agreed tools, with proactive communication of any deviations and timely deliveries.

- Run individual Research projects, fostering quality in execution and cross-functional and cross-segment collaboration guided by Project Leadership Excellence and Technology Readiness Standard.

Support the GFSC Leadership team and Head of Food Safety Science with development and deployment of a high-quality food safety research strategy and project portfolio with clearly defined business goals, KPIs and milestones.

- Manage the research budget for the microbial risk management program, ensuring it is appropriately prepared, allocated, monitored, and spent according to the research timeline.

- Lead a team of up to 3 Associates responsible for delivering the research plan through work conducted within Mars-owned facilities and in collaboration with external partners and academic institutes..

- Mentor and coach junior Associates to refine project design, meet business needs, resolve technical problems, and organizational challenges. Responsible for the development of junior associates. Assist GFSC Leadership team in recruiting junior Associates, contractors and summer interns.

- Act as an ambassador for GFSC and Mars in the area of Microbial risk management. Share knowledge by participating in various work groups, task forces, attending and presenting at appropriate global conferences, symposia, and contribute to GFSC training courses.

- Responsible for ensuring effective knowledge capture across all relevant information sources including conferences / symposia, horizon scanning reports, insights from Associate etc.  Ensure insights are captured and used to shape the future microbial research program.

- Responsible for development and delivery of the external communication plan for Microbial risk management program including conference presentations / posters, scientific publications, patents etc.  Work together with the Head of Research and GFSC communications team to build effective reputation building and knowledge sharing programs than drive meaningful change in the long term.

- Up to 20% travel required (domestic and international) and some out of hours / weekend working

- Approximately 30% hands-on experiment required.

What are we looking for? 

Extensive experience in R&D, food safety and scientific research, within the FMCG industry, preferably within Food  

A PhD in Microbiology, Clinical Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Food Science, or similar discipline is required.

Proven ability to access, develop and transfer technical knowledge and skills, and to lead and manage projects/programs  

Work seamlessly with global & regional R&D, Q&FS, Procurement, SQA and Supply functions to translate food safety science into practical risk management solutions 

A minimum of 3 years’ experience managing multi-dimensional Research Programs.

Must have more than 8 years’ experience of working within an industrial or research laboratory.

Direct line management experience is preferred but not a requirement.

Effective team work is essential.

In-depth knowledge in various aspects of biology, such as microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics.

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 company bonus.

Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.

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.