Job Description:
Principal Scientist – Fats and Oils
The Principal Scientist Fats and Oils is a senior-level role with deep technical expertise and high learning agility, enabling continued growth in product formulation and processing capabilities within Mars snacking.
The role is responsible for leading global technical initiatives in Fats and Oils sustainability, contributing to snacking innovation projects and programs, evaluating alternative and novel Fats andOils ingredients, troubleshooting reformulation and processing challenges, supporting supplier management, and upskilling associates across the organization.
What are we looking for?
Minimum of a bachelor's degree in food science, Engineering, Chemistry, or relevant field. Advanced degree preferred.
Minimum 10 years of R&D experience in food, beverage or consumer products company (preferably with raw material compliance and specifications experience and Fats and Oil Ingredients, Chocolate, Nutrition Bars, Salty Snacks or Confectionary)
Knowledge of regulatory bodies including FDA and EFSA.
Proven ability to work independently and collaborate with global teams.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Provide technical leadership to ensure the Fats&Oils portfolio delivers on Mars Snacking’s strategic priorities and meets the evolving needs of the business.
Own the S&T Fats&Oils Strategy and collaborate with cross-functional associates to drive continuous improvement.
Deliver hands-on formulation, processing, quality assurance, and food safety support across global R&D and production sites.
Serve as a technical project leader or subject matter expert, partnering with other S&T colleagues to support sustainability initiatives and the evaluation of alternative Fats&Oils ingredients, advancing Mars’ sustainability goals and Net Zero by 2050.
Horizon-scan, identify, and recommend potential business opportunities aligned with strategy; monitor emerging scientific research and trends relevant to Fats&Oils ingredients, chocolate, nutrition bars, salty snacks, and confectionary.
Collaborate with internal teams (Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Global Quality & Food Safety, Product Development, etc.) and external partners to generate scientific evidence supporting claims, messaging, and publications.
Partner with R&D, Commercial teams, and other Mars segments to develop strategic relationships with key external partners and suppliers, ensuring a robust ingredient pipeline that protects and creates future growth.
Work with R&D and Intellectual Property teams to proactively safeguard Mars’ intellectual property.
Represent Mars at key conferences, trade shows, and industry events to strengthen the company’s reputation within the Fats&Oils sector.
Support the team manager in leading team-building initiatives and serving as a role model to enhance engagement and the overall associate experience within the Ingredient Science team.
Mentor and upskill associates in technical leadership and capabilities.
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.
Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.
The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 119,040.00 - USD 163,680.00Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a relevant field
- At least 10 years of R&D experience in a food, beverage, or consumer products company
- Knowledge of regulatory bodies including FDA and EFSA
- Experience with raw material compliance and specifications, fats and oils ingredients, chocolate, nutrition bars, salty snacks, or confectionery
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with global teams
- Advanced degree
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
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Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
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.
