Job Description:

This role is dedicated to providing senior in-house legal counsel on food law issues to Mars Snacking and Mars Food globally.

This Associate will be responsible for supporting global project teams and regional business units in complying with local laws and regulations, identifying potential business risks, pursuing important business opportunities, and managing critical incidents. The Associate will work closely with Segment Legal, Supply, QFS, SRA, R&D, Marketing and CA teams on global innovation workstreams and regional issues requiring escalation to the central team.

This Associate will also engage with and advise senior leaders, including regional Functional leads and Leadership Teams, when necessary, regarding business-critical food law issues and opportunities.  This Associate will engage external stakeholders (e.g., regulators and trade groups) as needed to advance and protect Mars’ business interests and will ensure compliance with Mars Policies and standards, including claims compliance and approval. This Associate will also support the Corporate Development Team on food law due diligence, when needed. While this Associate will at times engage and manage outside counsel as appropriate to ensure all business needs are satisfied, this Associate will conduct food law work in-house whenever possible. 

This Associate will work with Legal Counsel, SRA, Supply, QFS, CA, R&D and Marketing in each of the Snacking and Food Business Segments to develop policies, strategies and interpretations of laws, regulations and issues related to food law, in support of segment priorities, consistent with global Mars, Incorporated policies. Specifically, responsibilities will include:

Compliance

Advise on questions of compliance with laws and regulations, including issues related to marketing claims, labeling requirements, and food safety laws, among others.

Business Counsel

Advise segment business units on food law-related risks and opportunities related to innovation, marketing campaigns, and production plans and strategies.

Interface with and influence Senior Functional and Business leaders to support informed decision-making.

Provide food law due diligence in Corporate Development and R&D initiatives as needed.

Crises/Incident Response

Engage in quality incident and crisis management teams as necessary providing specialized legal expertise, including working with regional business leaders in determining incident responses.

Engage government regulators as necessary, on behalf of the business, to resolve incidents effectively.

Training

Develop and support training programs in food law, including to Legal teams and other key audiences in other functions.

Collaborate closely with the Chief Food Law & Regulatory Counsel – Mars Petcare to establish and maintain an effective community of segment generalists advanced in food law to share best practices, challenges, and relevant developments across regions and build food law expertise throughout the Legal function (the Global Food Law Forum).

Policy Development

Provide strategic guidance to internal Public Affairs teams and cross-segment regional public policy groups on proposed food laws and regulations, including in evolving areas such as health & nutrition and processed foods.

In partnership with other relevant functions (SRA, CA), engage external stakeholders, including senior officials within governing regulatory bodies, regarding proposed policies impacting Mars.

Review and advise on written submissions provided by Mars to any government regulatory body related to food law.

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.