Job Description:
Localisation: Aimargues (30 min from Montpellier in France)
Type of contract: Permanent (CDI)
We are a global organization comprised of dedicated individuals and brands united by a clear purpose. We believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today.
Royal Canin is committed to transforming the health of cats and dogs through our products and services, embodying the purpose of Mars Petcare: Make a Better World for Pets. We firmly believe that pets contribute significantly to the well-being of humans, making the world a better place.
A key enabler in achieving a significant impact on the health of cats and dogs is the dedication of passionate, purpose-driven Value Chain Operations (VCO) Associates. This vision underpins our Global Talent Ambition: Deliver outstanding Associate experiences that inspire VCO associates to Join, Stay, and Grow.
The People & Organization (P&O) Manager Europe - VCO Operations - is responsible for serving as a strategic talent advisor to the regional VCO business leaders, helping them achieve their objectives through their teams.
What are we looking for?
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Manufacturing or a related field (master degree preferred)
10+ years of experience in a similar role, including extensive partnership with senior leaders.
5+ years in a senior regional leadership role within a matrix organization, managing complex talent challenges.
Experience in a multinational CPG environment with centralized HR operations and a COE model.
Proven ability as a great line manager, skilled in building and developing high-performing teams.
Ability to make effective decisions in complex or ambiguous business environments.
Exceptional communication and influencing skills, with experience engaging executive-level audiences.
Cross-functional experience in supply chain or technical functions is advantageous.
Multi-lingual capabilities (relevant to the region/sites supported) is a plus.
The role requires 20%-30% travel.
What will be your key responsibilities?
In this role, you will advance the human capital agenda, cultivate the organizational culture, and implement strategies that foster performance, engagement, and sustainable business growth.
We have identified seven (7) distinct strategies through which you will create value:
1/Shape business strategy
• Partner with VCO and regional business leaders to align the talent agenda with business objectives.
• Provide data-driven talent insights and thought leadership to influence business decisions and drive performance.
• Design and implement regional talent strategies that are aligned with global and regional VCO business goals
• Define and monitor key human capital goals, targets and KPIs, ensuring accountability and transparency across the region.
2/Organizational design & change management
• Ensure regional and site-level organizational design initiatives are aligned with RC global structures and frameworks, maintaining consistency and scalability.
• Strengthen leadership engagement by enhancing visibility and driving activation around Mars Associate Experience priorities across regional and site levels.
• Assess and map critical skills and capability requirements across the region, enabling proactive talent planning and organizational readiness.
3/Shape culture
• Act as a role model and steward of the Mars 5 Principles and Associate Concept
• Coach and support VCO leaders in becoming strong Mars culture ambassadors, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace environment.
• Champion the use of human capital analytics to drive meaningful progress in Engagement, Health and Wellbeing, Responsible Workplace and I&D
4/Talent enablement
• Partner with VCO leaders to lead Succession Planning, Talent Development Reviews, and talent Talk conversations across the region and sites.
• Advocate for and embed Mars talent processes to build a diverse and inclusive associate pipeline within the region.
• Support VCO leaders in identifying current and future human capital needs at the regional and functional levels, ensuring alignment with global talent sourcing strategies where applicable.
5/Co-create solutions within the Mars My-P&O operating model
• Take regional ownership of delivering collective talent priorities, achieving key outcomes, and tracking success metrics.
• Foster strong partnerships with RC P&O COE and My P&O teams within the region to forecast and ensure optimal resourcing for effective execution.
6/Cross-Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Influence ,Thought partnership and coaching
• As a key member of the Regional VCO Leadership team, provide strategic thought partnership to influence critical talent and business decisions.
• Contribute to Global or Regional Steering Committees and Working Groups on talent priorities, offering thought leadership, regional insights, and advocacy.
• Drive evidence-based decision-making by leveraging internal and external data and insights.
7/P&O Capability Development
• Lead and manage a team of P&O experts, guiding their performance, growth, and development to ensure alignment with Global VCO Talent Strategies.
• Provide inspirational leadership to drive motivation, a sense of belonging, and engagement within the Regional VCO P&O team.
• Identify and address capability gaps across the Regional VCO P&O teams
• Build and sustain a strong P&O talent pipeline, with a focus on succession planning for key roles, including your own overtime.
To succeed in this role, the individual must build and maintain strong, influential relationships with key internal stakeholders at all levels within the Regional VCO Team, as well as across the wider Mars P&O organization in the region.
A crucial aspect of this role is integrating external talent insights to guide business decisions, demanding a thorough understanding of global trends and dynamics, alongside the ability to assess and mitigate potential business risks.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
You will work in a multicultural environment (more than 40 nationalities) and where your dog will be welcomed by more than 100 other Associates’ dogs at the office!
You will work in a unique campus, which gathers more than 800 Associates working for: the international HQ, the French subsidiary, two laboratories, a kennel and a cattery with more than 200 cats & dogs, and finally the most important factory of the Royal Canin group
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.
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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.
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.
Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™.
We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
