Job Description:Director, R&D Data Strategy & Enablement Mars Snacking is establishing a dedicated Global R&D & Quality Data Strategy & Enablement capability to define and operationalize the data foundations that underpin product development, formulation, packaging and food safety across all markets.
The Director, R&D Data Strategy & Enablement leads this capability, setting the strategic direction for data governance, quality and stewardship across R&D and Quality & Food Safety.
This is a functional leadership role with clear enterprise mandate. The role owns the R&D and Quality data governance framework, is accountable for measurable data quality outcomes, and serves as the authoritative voice on product and quality data standards, particularly as the organization moves through PLM transformation and Mars Snacking-Kellanova integration.
What are we looking for?- Bachelor's degree in data/information, Engineering or Science (Food Science, Chemistry, Materials, Life Sciences), Industrial Engineering or relevant field. Advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 10 years in data management, data governance, or a related discipline in a CPG R&D product data environment or similar.
- Demonstrated experience building or leading data governance functions, stewardship networks, or MDM programs at a global or enterprise scale.
- Hands-on experience with PLM, MDM, or other product data platforms and an ability to engage credibly with both technical and business stakeholders on data architecture decisions.
- Proven success of delivering data quality or data readiness outcomes tied to business transformation programs.
What would your key responsibilities be?Strategic Data Vision & Governance • Define and own the global R&D & Quality data strategy, governance model, standards and operating model.
• Act as final decision authority on data standards and priorities where conflicts arise across regions, systems or functions.
• Drive the R&D and Quality data maturity roadmap aligned to business transformation priorities, including PLM and MDM.
Data Quality & Transformation Delivery • Own measurable data quality outcomes across R&D and Quality & Food Safety, including product specifications, formulations, pack data and regulatory attributes.
• Lead Snacking data workstreams within the PLM transformation, ensuring data readiness, cleansing, migration and governance are aligned to program milestones.
• Establish scalable, repeatable data quality processes embedded into business operations rather than reliant on manual effort.
Global Stewardship & Enablement • Build and lead a global data stewardship network embedded in regions and functions.
• Define stewardship roles, escalation routes, governance cadences and enablement approaches.
Partner with Business Process Owners and Work Systems leaders to embed data accountability at point of creation.
Executive Partnership & Leadership • Act as strategic advisor to R&D and Quality leadership on data-driven decision-making and trade-offs.
• Lead, develop and coach a specialist data enablement team using a player-coach leadership approach.
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.
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 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00
