SRA Principal Specialist - Product & Pack Sustainability

SRA Principal Specialist - Product & Pack Sustainability (3-year fixed-term contract)

Location: Dublin or Regional Functional or Technical Hubs or Cluster HQs - Hybrid

Job Description: SRA Principal Specialist – Product & Pack Sustainability (T3)

• Job Level: Technical Leadership (T3)
• Region: Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE)
• Business Segment: Mars Snacking

Job Purpose

Operating within the Mars Wrigley Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE) SRA team, this Technical Leadership (T3) role secures our freedom to operate (FTO) by managing the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape of product & pack sustainability.

The Principal Specialist will identify, interpret, and translate developing product & pack sustainability policies—such as the EU/UK Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo)—into actionable business strategies. Leveraging strong technical, project management, and advocacy skills, you will drive external influencing strategies and lead cross-functional internal teams to ensure total compliance across our regional product and packaging portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

1. Regulatory Strategy, Horizon Scanning & Compliance

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the regional SRA strategy for product and packaging sustainability across ECE.
• Horizon Scanning: Proactively monitor, interpret, and risk-assess emerging and existing product and pack sustainability regulations (e.g., PPWR, EmpCo, SUPD).
• Impact Translation: Convert complex regulatory developments into clear business impacts, providing actionable, risk-mapped recommendations to senior leadership.

2. Programme Management & Cross-Functional Implementation

• Cross-Functional Orchestration: Partner with R&D (Packaging Development), Supply, Commercial, Legal, and Corporate Affairs to align and execute relevant sustainability compliance initiatives.
• Project Leadership: Lead high-impact, regional SRA/R&D projects, driving the governance and implementation of the PPWR product sustainability compliance programme.

3. External Advocacy & Stakeholder Management

• External Influencing: Represent Mars in key trade associations, working groups, and external regulatory forums to advocate for positions that protect and drive our product and pack sustainability agenda.
• Internal Alignment: Foster cross-segment SRA collaboration to establish a unified, "one-voice" position on relevant ECE sustainability topics.

What are we looking for?

Education & Professional Qualification

• A science-based degree (BSc, MSc, or PhD) in Environmental Science, Food/Packaging Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related technical field. A degree in law with a focus on sustainability regulation will also be considered.

Knowledge & Experience

• Industry Experience: Continuous substantial work experience in Regulatory Affairs, Sustainability Compliance, or a related technical discipline, ideally within the food, FMCG, or consumer packaging sectors.
• Regulatory Expertise: Robust understanding of EU and UK environmental frameworks (specifically PPWR, EmpCo, SUPD). High proficiency in Green Claims assessments and sustainability labelling requirements is highly desirable.
• Advocacy & Influence: Proven track record of actively participating in and influencing trade associations and external policy groups.
• Leadership Capabilities: Demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional projects and leading without formal authority in a matrixed corporate environment.
• Languages: Full professional proficiency in English. Additional European languages are a strong asset.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Mars Leadership Competencies: Collaborates, Persuades; Manages Ambiguity Manages Complexity, Strategic Mindset, Balances Stakeholders;
• Skills: Horizon Scanning, Stakeholder Management, Technical Advocacy, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Risk Management.

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.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.

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