Director, R&D Consumer Science LA and BGCM

Job description

Job Description Are You Ready to Make It Happen at Mondelēz International? Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It With Pride. You ensure that technical, scientific and business programs are successfully implemented and that human resources are effectively managed in your area. Working with others, you help set the direction for the division. You regularly interact with all client levels and with technology organizations. How you will contribute You will ensure that consumer science programs are delivered to the required standards and on time and contribute to decision making. You will work with regional and global RD&Q and marketing leaders to embed the consumer science discipline into the organization and to conduct business updates to ensure that growth targets are being met. In addition, you will support new research programs; develop annual and long-term budgets that include the consideration of human and financial resources; make recommendations for program and process improvements that reflect strategic growth opportunities; and regularly interact with the global head of consume science. You will also champion health, safety and quality strategies for the organization and, as a people leader, create a positive team environment, coaching, mentoring and developing your team while also engaging in effective management change. What you will bring A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career and the following experience and knowledge: Consumer science at a senior level with emphasis on the fast-moving consumer goods area Applying sensory and consumer research in a fast-moving consumer goods, client-side commercial environment Leading teams and coaching and mentoring others Partnering with clients and stakeholders as individuals and teams and building relationships Using negotiation skills effectively to resolve conflict Communicating effectively, verbally and in writing, and good organizational development skills Maintaining a safe working environment for self and others Executive Summary As a strategic leader within Mondelēz International, the Director, Consumer Science LA and Global BGCM is pivotal in shaping the future of snacking by embedding unparalleled consumer-centricity across our LA and global BGCM (Beverages, Gum, Candy and Meals) categories. This highly impactful role demands an innovative thought leader who will define the consumer science strategy, elevate capabilities, and inspire a "consumer-first" culture within Consumer Science, and beyond, to deliver superior delightful product and pack experiences that drive sustainable business growth across a diverse product portfolio. Role Purpose & Impact This role is responsible for leading and strategically directing the Consumer Science function for both the LA region and the global BGCM category. Acting as the primary point of contact for the R&D LA leadership team, this role will influence Consumer Science resource allocation (people and budget), project prioritization within LA, and drive global excellence in consumer and sensory research for BGCM. The candidate will be a transformative leader, fostering a high-performing team and spearheading the adoption of cutting-edge methodologies to translate deep consumer understanding into market-winning superior innovations and product renovations. Director Consumer Science LA and Global BGCM The Director Consumer Science LA and Global BGCM will collaborate with both the global Head of Consumer Science and the Consumer Science Senior Directors for NA and Global Biscuits and the Consumer Science Senior Director for AMEA and Global Chocolate to ensure leading edge consumer methods are fully adopted and leveraged in the product development and renovation process and for other innovations, line extensions and productivity projects. The Individual will put a strong emphasis on consumer centricity, understanding the desired consumer experience and ideal product models and working with R&D in both LA and global BGCM to develop products and packs that deliver against consumer expectations. The individual will be a strong people and enterprise leader with drive and interest in nurturing and building consumer and sensory research capabilities and execution with intentional business acumen to deliver the business and further developing talent in a broad global context with a strong ability to drive change through the organization. Key Requirements Leading, directing and motivating the Consumer Science Global BGCM and LA organizations which; in strong partnership with both LA and BGCM global product development, consumer insights and marketing , develops consumer centric innovative new products. Lead the CS teams in LA and globally. Requires strong people skills and partnership across the Mondelez organization, both inside and outside R&D Partnering with Insights and Analytics to develop strong actionable learning plans to deliver novel consumer insights, feedback, product evaluation Ensuring the LA and Global BGCM Consumer Science organization provide insightful consumer guidance into the development process enabling development of products and packs that provide superior delightful consumer experiences. Further expansion of traditional capabilities to leading-edge Consumer Science capability with strong emphasis on simplicity, cost and speed . Driving an inclusive and diverse culture that enables development of world class Consumer Science and R&D functional talent. Required Qualifications & Experience Education : PhD or Master's degree in Consumer Science, Sensory Science, Food Science, Psychology, Statistics, or a closely related scientific (e.g. chemistry, biology, etcetera) field is required. Experience : 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in Consumer Science or Sensory Research within a Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company. Preferably with experience of food. Proven track record of successfully leading global or multi-regional Consumer Science teams and driving impactful consumer-led innovation from concept to launch. Extensive experience in developing, validating, and applying a wide range of quantitative and qualitative consumer and sensory research methodologies. Technical skills : Deep expertise in experimental design, advanced statistical analysis, multivariate techniques, and proficiency with relevant statistical software. Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable business recommendations. Familiarity with emerging technologies and methodologies in consumer and sensory science (e.g. behavioral science, implicit measures, AI-driven insights). Leadership & Management Skills: Exceptional leadership capabilities with a proven ability to inspire, develop, and manage high-performing, diverse teams in a complex matrix organization. Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive change. Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills, capable of engaging and convincing senior-level stakeholders. Business Acumen: Solid understanding of commercial drivers, market dynamics, and the product development process within the FMCG industry. Ability to connect consumer insights directly to business results and strategic objectives. Key Competencies & Characteristics Strategic Agility: Anticipates future trends and develops proactive strategies to leverage consumer insights for competitive advantage. Inspirational Leader: Motivates teams and stakeholders to embrace a consumer-first mindset, fostering innovation and continuous improvement. Influencing & Communication: Masterful at articulating complex scientific concepts and consumer insights in a clear, compelling manner to diverse audiences, from technical experts to executive leadership. Results Orientation : Drives for measurable impact, ensuring consumer science activities directly contribute to business growth and brand success. Continuous Learning & Curiosity: Stays abreast of the latest advancements in consumer science, technology, and market trends, actively seeking to implement new best practices. Cross-Cultural Effectiveness: Demonstrates high cultural intelligence and proven ability to work seamlessly across diverse global regions and functions. Change Management Champion : Leads and drives organizational change effectively, embedding new methodologies and a consumer-centric approach. Work Environment & Requirements Location: This role will be based in our Mexico R&D Center, serving as a hub for Latin American operations. Language: Fluency in English and Spanish is mandatory. Proficiency in Portuguese is highly preferred. Travel: Global travel will be required approximately 20-30% of the time, to collaborate with regional and global teams, attend conferences, and conduct market visits. No Relocation support available Business Unit Summary At Mondelēz International, our purpose is to empower people to snack right by offering the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way. That means delivering a broad range of delicious, high-quality snacks that nourish life's moments, made with sustainable ingredients and packaging that consumers can feel good about. We have a rich portfolio of strong brands globally and locally including many household names such as Oreo , belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk , Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. We are proud to hold the top position globally in biscuits, chocolate and candy and the second top position in gum. Our 80,000 makers and bakers are located in more than 80 countries and we sell our products in over 150 countries around the world. Our people are energized for growth and critical to us living our purpose and values. We are a diverse community that can make things happen—and happen fast. Mondelēz International is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Job Type Regular Consumer Science Science & Engineering