The Global Royal Canin Master Data Governance Director is responsible for defining, leading, and executing the enterprise Master Data Management (MDM) and governance strategy across Royal Canin’s global business operations. The role establishes and operationalizes a robust enterprise-wide Master Data Governance framework, ensuring master data is standardized, trusted, scalable, compliant, and continuously enhanced across EOS deployments worldwide, major business transformation initiatives (including Big Digital Rocks), and ongoing Run & Grow operations.
Acting as the single point of accountability for master data governance within Royal Canin, this position ensures strong alignment, integration, and interoperability with Petcare and Mars Global Services (MGS) data strategies and platforms. The Director plays a critical role in building the foundational data capabilities required to support Royal Canin’s next phase of growth, accelerating digital transformation and enabling AI-driven innovation at global scale.
This role ensures the availability of high-quality, governed, and reliable master data to drive operational excellence, advanced analytics, regulatory compliance, and sustainable business performance. The Director leads enterprise governance, standardization, and lifecycle management across five core master data domains: Finance, Vendor, Product, R&D, and Customer.
What are we looking for?
- 12 + years in Data Management, Data Governance, or Enterprise Data Programs.
- 5+ years leading global Master Data Management initiatives or enterprise data transformation projects.
- Proven experience implementing MDM frameworks across multiple business domains.
- Strong understanding of data governance, metadata management, and data quality management.
- Experience with enterprise systems such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP MDG, Salesforce, and OMP.
- Familiarity with data platforms such as Azure and Databricks (contextual understanding, not ownership required).
- Strong business processes, data, and systems understanding.
- Proven ability to drive change, deliver results, and make decisions in complex environments.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and influencing skills at all levels, including executive audiences
- Proven senior stakeholder influence in global environments.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Governance
- Define and implement the global MDM vision, strategy, roadmap, operating model (Global, Regional and Local)
- Align master data initiatives with enterprise data strategy and business objectives.
- Establish global data standards, policies, and governance frameworks.
- Serve as executive sponsor for master data transformation initiatives and lead transversal, cross-domain governance across Customer, Product, Vendor, Finance, and R&D domains
Data Governance, Quality & Cross-Domain Synergy
- Lead enterprise data governance programs across regions and functions.
- Define data ownership, stewardship models, and accountability structures.
- Implement data quality monitoring, controls, and remediation processes.
- Ensure regulatory and compliance adherence (GDPR, financial reporting, industry regulations).
Program & Delivery Management
- Lead global MDM program delivery including implementation, optimization, and scaling.
- Establish KPIs and success metrics for data quality and governance maturity.
Associate Engagement and Developing Talent – Your Most Valued Asset
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Data Stewards, Data Owners, and MDM specialists.
- Build a strong talent pipeline through succession planning and capability development.
- Foster a Five Principles–centric culture with high associate engagement and passion for pets.
- Inspire and engage direct reports to role model high performance team behaviors
Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner with Global Data Owners, Global Process Owners (GPOs), EOS Leadership, and Petcare/MGS business leaders to drive adoption.
- Act as the global authority on master data practices and standards.
- Facilitate executive steering committees and governance teams.
- Drive organizational change management and data culture transformation.
Interoperability with Petcare & MGS
- Represent Royal Canin in Petcare and MGS master data governance forums.
- Ensure alignment with Petcare and Mars enterprise data standards.
- Drive interoperability across governance, processes, and systems.
- Integrate relevant Petcare and MGS governance improvements into Royal Canin.
Technology & Architecture - EOS, Transformation & Run & Grow Alignment
- Define governance guardrails across EOS, Big Digital Rocks, and Run & Grow initiatives.
- Provide data quality oversight while execution remains within programs.
- Ensure governance is embedded across transformation and operational activities.
- Evaluate and implement MDM technologies and automation capabilities.
Market Readiness & EOS Triangle Leadership
- Prepare markets for EOS master data readiness.
- Lead the Global–EOS–Market data governance triangle.
- Ensure go-live readiness, stabilization, and continuous improvement.
- Drive adoption of governance practices across markets.
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.
- A strong focus on 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.
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