Chocolate R&D Engineer- Elizabethtown, PA

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there's more to being in business than just making a profit. That's the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it's never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It's about how you can grab everything that's within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It's about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we'll all be a little better off. It's that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN'S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

Job Purpose:
A Chocolate Technology Engineer is responsible for leading the development, design and validation of new manufacturing processes and to serve as global technical subject matter expert and provide technical guidance both tactical and strategic.

Individuals are expected to lead Global Chocolate Technology programs and will be responsible for building test plans and reporting on results for these programs. This role serves to drive growth, efficiency and quality through the process development and practices in chocolate raw material transformation.

Key Responsibilities:
• Brings strong science and engineering skills to the position. Serves as a technical expert in their field, and as technical consultant to other team members.
• Design, develop and manage scale up of new chocolate, raw materials, process, recipes and specifications that translate to full scale production and provide competitive advantage to the business.
• Provide leadership and direction to strategic projects; ensure quality, integrity and assurance of supply throughout the business by effectively integrating scientific discipline and knowledge to business needs
• Owner of process specifications for global and regional units that deliver quality product at expected scale.
• Strong project management competency for meeting budget and timing on project execution.
• Leader within community of practice for new chocolate, raw materials and process and practices standardization.
• Essential translation/interpret cocoa & chocolate recipes for regulatory/legal requirements.
• Responsible for communication of research outcomes to all key stakeholders and partners.
• Support technologists’ and technicians’ development through coaching and mentoring

Context & Scope:
• Given an objective, able to define a test plan development, experimental setup, test execution and data analysis to quantify key process parameters and fundamental mechanisms at both pilot and factory scale using aligned ways of working and scientific methodology.
• Report results obtained and clearly verbal and written communicate to key stakeholders providing guidance and recommendations to the business.
• Ensure the team delivers the highest possible level of safety standards, Quality Management Program compliance and culture through individual training and actions.
• Capable to lead and collaborate in cross-functional teams. Build and maintain collaborative relationships between internal (cross functional and across regions) and external (suppliers and trade groups) partners in different geographic locations.
• Able to deal with complexity and ambiguity and effectively communicate and solving conflict with global teams through virtual and face to face interactions
• Available to travel globally and connect with teams after hours.

Minimum requirements:
• Bachelors degree with 5+ years’ experience in the CPG industry or 3+ years’ experience in chocolate technical area.
• An advanced understanding of the key scientific principles associated with technical systems and process interaction.
• Proven leadership in previous experiences.
• A general knowledge of engineering, science and chemistry.
• Up to 30% travel to other Mars sites and vendors required, which could include significant international travel
• Available by phone beyond day shift for communication with other Global sites.

Preferred:
• MS or PhD degree in Food or Chem. Engr., Biochemical or equivalent with 2+ years’ experience in the food industry or 1+ years’ experience in chocolate technical area preferred.
• Food industry background
• Demonstrated record of performing research in food processing, food ingredients, or related systems

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.

Nearest Major Market: Harrisburg
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