R&D Head

The purpose of the role is to lead and manage a Cocoa R&D team in Asia, reporting into the Cocoa Sourcing Technology Director.

The role will help shape the cocoa strategy, research program and provide regional oversight for execution of the strategic supply chain initiatives in Asia (including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, and PNG). In addition, this role will manage the Quality & Food Safety and technical R&D resources based in Makassar, Luwu Timur and Luwu. Included in the scope are responsibilities for QMP, quality systems, continuous improvement and laboratory operations.

This leader will also participate as a key member of the UJU Leadership Team and help drive accountability, build the future organizational design and succession plans, and drive cross-functional engagement across all Cocoa sites in Indonesia.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to shaping the Cocoa program for the Mars Cocoa Enterprise (MCE), seamlessly integrated with the Mars Wrigley Science and Technology strategy, enabling short to medium term innovation within the cocoa supply chains in Asia in order to execute the MCE strategy and drive long-term business sustainability and competitive edge.

Strategically influences and executes the Asian cocoa strategy, within the strategic direction set by Mars Wrigley chocolate business and consistent with the MCE Strategy.

Inspire and influence the business stakeholders by generating a compelling picture of how research programs in Asia will unlock the ability to achieve business objectives and long-term strategic success.

Execute and deliver the research program results and ensure regional quality metrics are met, ensuring the required resources are available and establishing governance and peer review processes to guarantee the quality of the science delivered.

Develop a communication strategy for the Asian cocoa strategy in collaboration with supply, sustainability and commercial to deliver against the medium to long term activity in the context of consumer trends, markets, regulatory, and commercial climate.

Define, establish and maintain an optimal organization structure by recruiting, motivating, and developing the team accordingly.

Develop a strategy and approach for talent management, recruitment, training and development of the Associates to enable self-sustaining organization and to create a talent pool that can be leveraged within the Q&FS and Cocoa organizations.

Build an active interface between research teams in the major Mars Inc. segments and maximize synergies by exploiting the potential of cross-segment research, and delivering business relevant technical solutions to Mars business challenges.

Context and Scope

The person will provide leadership in creating and executing a comprehensive regional cocoa program and managing the quality, continuous improvement and laboratories supporting the cocoa operations in Asia. This program is seen as essential to enable medium-to-long-term delivery of the cocoa strategy for Mars Inc. and will contribute to the long-term business sustainability and competitive edge. Also, the person will make a contribution in terms of scientific methodology / talent management to the Global R&D community in Mars Inc. This defines the impact of the role.

• Organizational structure, ways-of-working and associate matters of the regional cocoa R&D team across locations.
• Provide leadership for the cocoa R&D and Q&FS communities.
• The content and quality of the research program, the changes and amendments required by the business priority, the budget allocations within the framework of the approved program.
• Translation of the research in product and process improvement with a direct impact on Asian cocoa supply chains and process specifications in the medium to long term.
• Representation of Mars Cocoa Enterprise (MCE) in the relevant regional internal and external R&D forums.
• Strategic partnership of Mars cocoa with external partners.

Recommends cocoa research priorities as part of the Cocoa Sourcing Technology R&D group supporting the Mars Cocoa Enterprise strategy to the MCE leadership team and the global Mars Wrigley R&D leadership team.

• Recommend a business change agenda based on market and science trends.
• Recommends the Overall funding model of the program and the organization – business rationale and quantification.

Research projects enabling global innovation and supply chain sustainability. Long term strategic research programs delivering transformational changes that contribute and drive the long-term business development and sustainability.

The scope is the global Mars Wrigley business, with clear links with the Mars global R&D and cocoa enterprise communities to coordinate work on talent development, scientific methodology, program synergies, etc.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

• Advanced Scientific or Engineering degree and demonstrated application of research to deliver business objectives in an FMCG company.
• Experience in application of science and technology to facilitate commercial benefits and ensure security of supply.
• Experience both in terms of external collaborations and internal operational implementation and business processes.