Senior Scientist - Claims Support & Oral Health

Function The Senior Scientist supports the achievement of Wrigley's overall business goals and identifies opportunities for improving or expansion. This will be accomplished by managing studies and communications related to oral care health and benefits. This will involve but not limited to reviewing ideas and concepts for new claims, initiating contact with researchers, exploring new technology, monitoring and evaluating study results and responding to all questions and inquiries from inside and outside the company.   Background The Global Innovation Team develops new and improved products and technologies for new or improved oral care benefits that further the attainment of Wrigley's strategic business plan worldwide. The Clinical Research and Claims Support group (CRCS) within Scientific and Regulatory Affairs (SRA) creates and sustains competitive advantage for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company by working with Marketing and other groups to create new oral care benefits or improve current positions globally. This part of the SRA function also works proactively to create new oral care concepts and benefits through the investigation of new ingredients and technologies.   The need for this position is clear as oral care health benefits is the basis for a majority of sales for sugarfree gum and is increasing as new technologies and claims are developed and as current dental benefits expend into new markets. This position reports to the Director of Clinical Research and Claims Support group.   Dimensions The activities of this position are primarily directed at initiating new oral care ideas, executing the testing necessary to support benefits and communication the results within the Wrigley which leads to the profession and consumer. This will include working with groups such as R&D, Marketing, Corporate Comm., Legal and Regulatory in all regions. This position will also provide recommendations on oral care strategies. In addition, the position proactively identifies any potential new benefits, technologies, to communicate those issues so we can take advantage of them or to identify problems related to the science or regulatory guidelines that may impact the business and takes appropriate actions to forestall or minimize such problems. This position will also review all advertizing that will be generated to the profession or consumer. - Provides technical leadership in the areas of oral care health and clinical testing. - Works with internal and external experts in reviewing and developing testing to generate the necessary information for claims submission. Identifies and recommends experts to conduct clinical testing, works with the researcher to develop protocols and designs, monitors the execution of the testing, oversees the evaluation of the results and communicates what can and can not be claimed. - Communicates information and provides scientific guidance to various business groups within Wrigley (R&D, Benefit and Technology, Corporate Communications, Legal, Senior Management) on existing and new benefits in oral care of interest to the Company. Identifies and evaluates scientific literature and provides a concise summary and actionable next steps to support current or new product claims. - Evaluates competitors' claims and provides a scientific rationale and strategy for challenging their benefits. - Researches and evaluates new EU claims regulations related to oral care claims - Stays up to date on key developments in dental and oral care research, ingredients, claims, and products via literature reviews, conference attendance, and participation in professional association activities so that potential impact to Wrigley business can be examined and addressed. Professional - A Ph.D. in an area of dental research or dentist degree is required - Two years of experience with conducting oral care studies at a university or an oral care company. Another option would be someone recently graduated from dental school. - Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects that involve technical factors and multiple departments (i.e. Claims, Regulatory, Legal) - Creative efficient problem-solving skills - Excellent computer skills, including the use of on-line database search and research capabilities - Ability to work both independently and as a team member   Personal - Excellent verbal/ written communication and presentation skills - Close attention to details - Flexible and adaptable - High integrity - Ability to focus on priorities and work under pressure with multiple deadlines   Location: Chicago Job Category: Biotech/R&D/Science