Job Description:
Design to Value Director
The Design to Value (Dtv) team exists to drive enterprise-wide value creation by developing and executing an integrated, cross-functional Design to Value (DtV) capability. The objective to deliver value through sustained productivity, simplification, and harmonization across raw materials, packaging, recipes, and processes.
The Design to Value Director will establish and lead a new, lean center of expertise within Mars Snacking Global R&D. This role exists to drive enterprise-wide value creation by developing and executing an integrated, cross-functional Design to Value (DtV) capability. The objective of the role is to deliver value through sustained productivity, simplification, and harmonization across raw materials, packaging, recipes, and processes.
This role will shape strategy, engage senior stakeholders, develop talent/capability and ensure the DtV team delivers a robust pipeline of value programs that balance cost, growth, and sustainability, while protecting consumer value and distinctive product assets.
What are we looking for?
Minimum of a Bachelor’s in Engineering, Business, Science, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
Minimum of 15 years of experience in R&D, strategy, consulting, or value creation roles within CPG, manufacturing, or related industries.
Consulting experience (internal or external) is highly desirable.
Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex, high-impact programs.
Experience in portfolio optimization, value engineering, productivity, and/or simplification initiatives.
Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills at senior levels.
Demonstrated ability to navigate matrixed organizations and drive alignment across regions and functions.
Experience with data-driven decision making, benchmarking, and program governance.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Lead the development and execution of the Design to Value (DtV) strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise value creation goals and R&D’s central role in portfolio change and innovation.
Build and manage a lean, high-performing DtV team (PMO, Principal Scientist Data & Analytics, DtV Senior Scientists), fostering a culture of networked learning and continuous improvement.
Identify, prioritize, and develop high-value opportunities across the business, leveraging data, benchmarking, and cross-functional insights.
Engage and influence senior stakeholders (Regional, Divisional and Functional Leadership Teams) to secure sponsorship, resources, and alignment of incentives.
Oversee the design and delivery of a sustained pipeline of value creation programs, ensuring integration across value levers (productivity, sustainability, growth, simplification, resilience).
Govern program delivery using focused KPIs (pipeline value, savings, growth, sustainability, simplification, project conversion, post-project survey outcomes).
Internalize and codify DtV capabilities, reducing reliance on external partners and building advanced internal expertise and talent pipeline.
Ensure robust governance, risk management, and consumer value protection through R&D’s unique position and the new PDA+ process.
Represent the DtV capability in global and regional forums, sharing best practices and amplifying impact across the enterprise.
Support the ongoing refinement of the DtV operating model, adapting to business needs and external learnings.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with like-minded 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.
#LI-BM1
Skills Required
- Bachelor's in Engineering, Business, Science, or related field
- Advanced degree (preferred)
- Minimum of 15 years experience in R&D, strategy, consulting, or value creation in CPG, manufacturing, or related industries
- Consulting experience (internal or external)
- Proven track record leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex, high-impact programs
- Experience in portfolio optimization, value engineering, productivity, and/or simplification initiatives
- Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing, and senior-level communication skills
- Ability to navigate matrixed organizations and drive alignment across regions and functions
- Experience with data-driven decision making, benchmarking, and program governance
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
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Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
