Job Description:
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading the planning and execution of renovation and innovation projects, steering cross-functional teams throughout the project lifecycle, to achieve the strategic business objectives of our Business. You will also play a role in enhancing our product offerings and operational efficiencies.
Your responsibilities will include managing project ideation, scoping, timelines, and resources while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creative problem-solving. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, effectively balancing stakeholders, communicating efficiently and ensuring accountability. Will need to have proven track record of successfully managing projects from inception to completion.
What will be your key responsibilities?
- Serve as the Project manager for the confectionery Portfolio, driving execution that directly supports growth, brand strategies and business priorities.
- Take full ownership of initiatives, guiding projects from initial charter development through post-launch review, ensuring seamless delivery against objectives.
- Simultaneously manage and lead projects of varying complexities, ranging from pack extensions, maintenance, small investments and value leadership.
- Lead cross-functional teams across functions to align on project scope, identify critical success factors, allocate resources effectively, and create detailed, actionable timelines.
- Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to anticipate potential obstacles, proactively resolving issues and ensuring project resilience.
- Facilitates the identification and escalation of issues and risks to relevant stakeholders, senior leadership and/or S&OP+ forums while minimizing disruption to the project.
- Act as the gatekeeper of the Stage & gate framework and PPM system; leveraging the methodology to drive precision in execution, instill discipline across the team, and ensure decisions are underpinned by robust data and documentation.
- Assist in identifying and prioritizing projects and resource allocations to optimize value delivery and address gaps within the pipeline.
- Own and monitor item setup and tracking, ensuring smooth progression and to troubleshooting when needed through the GTM (Go-to-Market) process.
- Lead continuous improvement for ways of working and value creation against the wider business objectives.
Must have:
- External candidates: 2+ years of Project management with proven track record on innovation
- Internal candidates: 3–5 years of cross-functional experience.
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related discipline.
- Knowledge and expertise in utilizing Microsoft Project for effective project planning, scheduling and scenario planning.
- Knowledge of Idea to Market E2E process.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
- Comfort navigating ambiguity
Preferred:
- Experience in a CPG environment
- Knowledge and expertise in utilizing PPM to manage project lifecycle.
Skills:
Project Management Skills, critical thinking, problem solving, cross- functional collaboration, risk management, influencing.
Competencies:
Plans and aligns, Drives results, Balances stakeholders, ensures accountability, communicates effectively, organizational savvy, nimble learning, Manages Ambiguity.
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.
- 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
The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.
The pay range listed is applicable to IL:USD 82,748.00 - USD 113,779.00Skills Required
- 2+ years of project management experience with a proven track record in innovation for external candidates
- 3-5 years of cross-functional experience for internal candidates
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related discipline
- Knowledge and expertise using Microsoft Project for project planning, scheduling, and scenario planning
- Knowledge of the Idea to Market end-to-end process
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills
- Ability to navigate ambiguity
- Experience in a consumer packaged goods environment
- Knowledge and expertise using PPM to manage the project lifecycle
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.
