Job Description:
As a Market Development Head Exports at Mars, you would be responsible for delivering Export Markets business objectives by partnering closely with distributor partners and internal cross-functional Mars associates to accelerate profitable growth across strategic markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, you will lead the development and execution of our route-to-market and commercial strategies, aligning growth plans, optimizing distributor relationships, and driving sustainable long-term revenue and profitability.
What are we looking for?Education: A University Degree is required; an MBA or postgraduate qualification in Business Administration is preferred.
Experience: A minimum of 8 years of robust sales and commercial experience within the FMCG/CPG sector, with demonstrated expertise in Sales Operations and cross-functional leadership (line management experience is preferred).
Commercial Acumen: Strong background in distributor management, customer joint planning, contract negotiation, trade terms, and portfolio mix management to deliver mutual, profitable growth.
Analytical & Planning Skills: Experience leading Demand Reviews (S&OP processes), applying financial discipline/judgment, and developing reliable forecasting and sales assumptions.
Leadership Capabilities: An action-oriented, resourceful leader skilled at managing ambiguity, making sound commercial decisions, and building high-trust partnerships.
Develop and communicate the vision, objectives, and commercial strategies to achieve Market Annual Net Sales and Profitability targets across Sub-Saharan Africa export markets.
Champion collaborative relationships with key distributor partners and internal Mars functions to ensure flawless operational execution and alignment.
Lead the Demand Review process, evaluating periodic performance, tracking sales assumptions, and delivering robust demand plans.
Lead the negotiation and crafting of distribution agreements to establish win-win commercial partnerships.
Effectively balance and prioritize resource allocation across diverse markets to maximize market impact and efficiency.
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.
Skills Required
- University degree
- MBA or postgraduate qualification in Business Administration
- At least 8 years of sales and commercial experience in the FMCG or CPG sector
- Experience in Sales Operations and cross-functional leadership
- Line management experience
- Distributor management, customer joint planning, contract negotiation, trade terms, and portfolio mix management
- Experience leading Demand Reviews and S&OP processes
- Financial discipline, forecasting, and development of reliable sales assumptions
- Leadership skills including commercial decision-making, resourcefulness, ambiguity management, and partnership building
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.
