Animal Trainer

Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire

Salary package from £22,090 plus company bonus

Monday-Friday, daytime shifts only

At Waltham Petcare Science Institute, we use science and data to advance our understanding of pets’ health and wellbeing. We believe research can be done in a caring way and our ambition is to improve pets’ quality of life by determining the drivers of health at each life stage, along with the risk factors associated with disease. As a global R&D site, the scientific findings we generate reach millions of pets worldwide through the Mars Petcare family of products and services.

This role will play an important part in ensuring that Waltham Petcare Science Institute continues to deliver the highest possible standards of animal training and enrichment. The role is essential to ensure that the animal population is fit for purpose to ensure the delivery of the research program in line with their culture of care.

Not only will this position provide the successful applicant with the opportunity to develop their expertise in animal training, animal welfare and behaviour, but it will allow them to develop and demonstrate their skills and competence in building relationships across teams, motivating others and delivering results that add value for Waltham and the wider business.

What are we looking for?

• An excellent working knowledge of learning theory and principles of animal training.
• An excellent understanding of feline and canine communication and behaviour.
• Practical experience of training animals.
• A flexible working style, good communication and planning and organisation skills and proven ability to work in a team.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• To deliver trial related training to pets of all species (canine and feline), all ages and breed.
• To identify training protocols for animals to perform non-regulated research procedures, e.g. urine collection.
• Enable regulated research procedures, by training animals and cuing to position, then holding animals for the personal licensees.
• To deliver early life training to kittens and puppies.
• To drive your continuous professional development in the field of animal training.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 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 company bonus.