Director Scientific and Regulatory Affairs… at Mars · Chicago

Director Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Confectionery, North America
Location: USA-Illinois-Chicago
Job Description:
Director Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Confectionery, North America

The Director, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs (SRA) – Confectionery leads the regional SRA confectionery portfolio strategy and operations to ensure full regulatory compliance, scientific substantiation, and freedom to operate (FTO) across current products and new product innovations.

This leader drives the execution of SRA strategic roadmaps aligned with Confectionery R&D and global SRA priorities. Acting as a key scientific and regulatory authority for the confectionery category, this role partners closely with Cross-Functional Leadership (R&D, Marketing, Legal, Corporate Affairs, Public Affairs and Supply Chain) and represents category interests across external trade associations and regulatory bodies.

The role leads a dedicated team of SRA professionals, fostering functional capability, strategic regulatory intelligence, and talent development, with reporting lines into Regional SRA Leadership.

What are we looking for?
Minimum of BSc in Food Science, Nutrition, Toxicology, Chemistry, Food Law, or a related technical discipline. MSc or PhD in disciplines preferred.
Minimum of 8 years of progressive scientific and regulatory affairs experience within food & beverage, confectionery, or FMCG/CPG,
Minimum of 5 years of direct people leadership experience with a proven track record of developing high-performing, agile technical teams.
Preferred: 10+ years’ experience in scientific and regulatory affairs experience within food & beverage, confectionery, or FMCG/CPG with demonstrated track record of enabling innovation navigating complex regulatory frameworks,

What will be your key responsibilities?

1. Strategy for Compliance, Innovation, Horizon Scanning & Technical Advocacy

Regulatory Compliance: Accountable for end-to-end regulatory compliance of confectionery product formulations, raw materials, claims, and packaging to protect brand reputation and ensure freedom to operate.

Innovation Enablement: Provide proactive, science-based regulatory guidance early in the NPD/NPI lifecycle to unlock novel ingredients, claims substantiation, packaging technologies, and renovation pipelines.

Horizon Scanning & Freedom to Operate: Systematically monitor emerging food policies, scientific literature, and legislative shifts (e.g., sugar/sweeteners, additives, front-of-pack labeling, extended producer responsibility); model potential business impacts and orchestrate proactive regulatory change management.

External Technical Advocacy: Represent category and business interests in key external trade associations, scientific bodies, and regulatory working groups to influence standard-setting and advocate for sound, science-based policies.

2. Regulatory Leadership & Governance

Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management: Serve as the primary SRA strategic partner to R&D, Brand Marketing, Legal, Corporate Affairs, and Commercial leadership to align regulatory strategies with commercial growth objectives.

Risk Assessment & Escalation: Lead technical and regulatory risk management frameworks; proactively evaluate business opportunities, lead risk assessments, and establish robust escalation pathways for high-stakes regulatory decisions.

Portfolio Prioritization & Resourcing: Establish clear functional priorities and resource allocation across the confectionery portfolio to ensure timely delivery of both business operational compliance and strategic innovation projects.

Process Optimization & Excellence: Drive continuous improvement and deployment of integrated SRA systems, digital tools, standard operating procedures, and Quality Management Processes (QMP) to streamline ways of working and enhance operational efficiency.

3. Talent Development, Onboarding, Coaching & Change Management

Talent Development & Succession: Build and maintain an agile, high-performing SRA team; drive comprehensive succession planning, individual development plans, and technical capability building across all career stages.

Structured Onboarding & Capability Building: Establish structured onboarding pathways and mentorship programs to accelerate technical competencies in regulatory affairs, scientific substantiation, and project leadership.

Coaching & Mentorship: Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and career guidance to empower team members to handle complex regulatory challenges, make risk-based decisions, and elevate their functional leadership.

Change Management & Culture: Lead organizational and functional change management initiatives, fostering an adaptable, growth-oriented mindset and aligning the team with a unified "One Mars" approach and global SRA best practices.

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.

#LI-BM1
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 169,840.00 - USD 233,530.00