R&D Data & Systems Senior Manager F/M/X

The purpose of this role is to lead and accelerate Royal Canin's digital transformation into a data-driven, AI enables organization by defining, building and operationalising best-in-class data capabilities, product platforms and digital enablement capabilities. This role ensures that data, digital products and capability investments translate directly into scientific, product and business value.

Data-driven innovation is becoming a critical enabler of the R&D strategy to provide more and better health benefits to cats and dogs and to empower our teams with data and more efficient and user friendly applications. This role is accountable for building the data capabilities, platforms, governance and operating model required to transform data into a strategic asset for R&D. This includes first focus on data democratization and scalable data products that support scientific, product and business decision-making, with a clear pathway to advanced scientific analytics and AI-driven solutions.

The role serves as the key R&D partner to Mars Digital Technologies, Royal Canin and Pet Nutrition Data & Analytics organizations, Corporate R&D and external partners to ensure R&D benefits from the best technologies, capabilities and investments available across Mars.

What are we looking for?

• University degree in science with strong working knowledge of IT OR University degree in IT with strong working knowledge of R&D.
• Ability to envision and deliver the transformative change of the Digital R&D team to be future fit – defining capabilities and competencies required withing the team but also managing the change within the R&D continuum of functions.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing IT Systems, Data Capabilities and Digital Products.

• Experience leading capability-building programs and/or data product organizations.

• Experience working in Health or Nutrition industries (pet or human) is a strong advantage
• People leadership experience, , including building and scaling multidisciplinary digital/data teams.
• Track record of translating data and technology investments into measurable business and scientific outcomes.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Data Strategy & Data Capabilities
  • Leads the development of R&D data capabilities, data products and data platforms, that serve as the foundation for a capability-led R&D organization.
  • Defines and implements the R&D data strategy in close partnership with Royal Canin, Pet Nutrition and Waltham Data & Analytics organizations.
  • Drives adoption of enterprise data platforms including Data Lake, cloud-based analytics environments and advanced reporting capabilities.
  • Establishes scalable approaches for data governance, quality, ownership, security and compliance.
  • Enables data democratization by making trusted data accessible, understandable and actionable across R&D.
• Operational Excellence, Keep and strengthen the existing elements:
  • Directs and oversees the design, development and optimization of required tools and systems with a focus on user centricity and value creation.
  • Drives continuous improvement of R&D processes, systems and governance.
  • Maintains and provides R&D input to evolve existing digital and data platforms while accelerating the transition to modern, scalable product-based operating models.
  • Leads end-to-end process change management for R&D digital and data transformations — defining the change strategy, assessing impact on R&D processes and roles, and ensuring structured adoption across impacted teams.
  • Designs and executes change management plans for the introduction of new data products, platforms and digital tools — covering process redesign, stakeholder engagement, communication and training.
  • Partners with R&D function leads and HR to identify process gaps, redefine ways of working and embed new digital-enabled processes sustainably within R&D operations.
  • Tracks adoption, measures process maturity and iterates change interventions based on feedback and data — ensuring that digital investments translate into lasting behavioural and process change.
• Product Enablement & Digital Platform Leadership
  • Leads the design, development and continuous optimization of data products that directly enable R&D scientists, product developers and business stakeholders.
  • Drives adoption of agile, product-centric and iterative delivery models across Digital, Data and Systems initiatives, ensuring products deliver measurable R&D value.
  • Ensures a user-centric approach across all digital and data product development — embedding design thinking and co-creation with R&D end users.
  • Leads preparation and management of AEP, IVCP and other investment planning processes with a product-portfolio lens.
  • Ensures effective portfolio management, budget governance and value realization of digital, data and product investments.
  • Continuously improves governance and decision-making processes to increase speed and effectiveness of product and capability delivery.
• Future Fit technologies
  • Works with the Disruptive Team to create a culture of experimentation and rapid innovation.
  • Continuously assesses external trends and translates new technologies - including AI, Generative AI and advanced analytics - into practical business and scientific value.
  • Scales emerging technologies as validated capabilities and embeds them as sustainable R&D products.
  • Ensures R&D remains at the forefront of digital and data capabilities within Mars.
• People Leadership
  • Leads a multidisciplinary Digital, Data and Systems organization including Functional Experts, Business Process Owners as well as future Business capabilities in line with the digital strategy.
  • Defines the capability roadmap for the team - building expertise in data engineering, product management, data science and analytics enablement.
  • Develops and coaches current team members in line with Digital strategy.
  • Builds the capabilities required for a modern data-driven R&D organization.
  • Creates an environment that attracts, develops and retains top digital, data and product talent.
  • Is part of the Design Leadership team and drives cross-department activities linked to the Design community.
• Enterprise Collaboration & Influence
  • Partners closely with Mars Digital Technologies to deliver systems and digital capabilities.
  • Partners closely with Royal Canin, Pet Nutrition and Waltham Data & Analytics organizations as needed to execute the R&D data and capability strategy.
  • Represents Royal Canin R&D within Corporate R&D digital and data initiatives.
  • Partners closely with RC DT to identify opportunities to leverage existing Mars solutions, platforms and best practices rather than creating isolated solutions.
  • Influences enterprise priorities to ensure Royal Canin R&D data, capability and product needs are represented and addressed.

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.

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