Job Description:
As a Sourcing Specialist at Mars, you will partner to drive development & implementation of Essentials buying strategies and co-pilot optimization of resources. This role manages both regional and global initiatives by leveraging supplier relationships, while also driving standardization and automation. Ownership of the Essential category spend on a global basis will be key, as will heavy cross functional collaboration and close partnership with key stakeholders.
What are we looking for?
Ideally you will have around 5 years’ commercial or purchasing experience, preferably as a Direct (Raw Material) buyer.
We want someone who shares our passion for driving value for our business by leveraging various sourcing channels.
Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for negotiation and networking.
Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to analyze supplier proposals, cost structures, and candidate profiles.
Tools & Technology: Excel, SAP
What will be your key responsibilities?
Develop and execute sourcing strategies using the MARS Strategic Sourcing Methodology (MSSM) and the appropriate tools for the market category.
Actively participate as a member of the Global Category Team and establishes/maintains working relationships with the category operational buying managers in the region.
Develop and implement regional/global contracts and related Service Level Agreements including securing price, volume rebates, capacity, and service levels.
Build sourcing category expertise to provide market and financial insights and inputs to the operating plan.
Negotiation & Contracting: Negotiate terms, pricing, and contracts to ensure cost-efficiency, quality, and compliance with MARS requirements/standards.
Relationship Management: Maintain and build strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers.
Market Research: Stay updated on industry trends, market conditions, and competitor activities to inform strategy.
Pipeline Development: Create and maintain robust pipelines of potential suppliers to meet current and future needs.
Performance Tracking: Monitor supplier performance (KPIs), implementing improvements when necessary
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.
Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.
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.
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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.
