Innovation Project Manager

Mars Incorporated; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking an Innovation Project Manager in Australia to run cross-functional projects over a 3-year horizon. You will lead initiatives from product concepts to seasonal activations, coordinating packaging, manufacturing and supply chain changes to drive costs and growth.

You will work with a high-energy EPM team, gaining exposure to a broad project portfolio and progressively ownership of more complex initiatives as you grow your career in fast-paced environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Project Management experience or exposure desirable.
• 2+ years' experience in cross-functional teams.
• FMCG, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, sales or commercial experience valued.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Comfort with ambiguity and multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate delivery across innovation, renovation, supply chain and transformation initiatives.
• Drive projects through Stage & Gate processes and timelines.
• Manage risks, dependencies and critical paths; track performance.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional teams

Stakeholder management

Ambiguity handling

Multi-tasking

Detail orientation

Initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Mars Snacking Australia is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history following the acquisition of Kellanova and continued investment across some of the world's most iconic brands.

As an Innovation Project Manager, you'll play a critical role in bringing our strategies into the market over a 3-year horizon. You will be responsible for leading & executing different types of projects from new product innovation, creating new sku configurations to activation at seasonal times, unlock customer specific products or coordinate changes across the supply chain to improve costs. You will join a highly engaged team, working alongside experienced EPMs. You'll role will primarily entail coordinating cross-functional teams, to navigate complex project requirements to maximise results that impact our consumers. customers and business.

You'll step straight into running your own projects while working closely alongside the guidance of the senior EPM’s, gaining exposure to a broad portfolio of projects before progressively taking ownership of more complex initiatives.

This role is ideal for someone early in their career who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys solving problems, and has a passion for bringing people together to deliver & maximise results.

Mars Snacking Australia is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history following the acquisition of Kellanova and continued investment across some of the world's most iconic brands.

As an Innovation Project Manager, you'll play a critical role in bringing our strategies into the market over a 3-year horizon. You will be responsible for leading & executing different types of projects from new product innovation, creating new sku configurations to activation at seasonal times, unlock customer specific products or coordinate changes across the supply chain to improve costs. You will join a highly engaged team, working alongside experienced EPMs. You'll role will primarily entail coordinating cross-functional teams, to navigate complex project requirements to maximise results that impact our consumers. customers and business.

You'll step straight into running your own projects while working closely alongside the guidance of the senior EPM’s, gaining exposure to a broad portfolio of projects before progressively taking ownership of more complex initiatives.

This role is ideal for someone early in their career who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys solving problems, and has a passion for bringing people together to deliver & maximise results.

What Projects Could You Be Working On?

• Delivering customer-specific product activations for key retail partners.

• Supporting innovation projects across iconic brands including M&M's & SNICKERS.

• Launching seasonal products for major events such as Halloween, Christmas and Easter.

• Coordinating packaging, manufacturing or supply chain changes to support business growth.

• Managing renovation projects that improve existing products or processes.

• Supporting large-scale business transformation initiatives across Mars Snacking.

What You'll Do

• Lead and coordinate project delivery across innovation, renovation, supply chain and transformation initiatives.

• Drive projects through the Stage & Gate process.

• Manage project plans, timelines, risks, dependencies and critical paths.

• Facilitate cross-functional project meetings and stakeholder alignment.

• Escalate issues and engage the right stakeholders to resolve roadblocks.

• Track project performance and maintain project information across systems and tools.

• Identify risks, opportunities and process improvements throughout the project lifecycle.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the EPM team.

What We're Looking For

We're less concerned about finding a traditional Project Manager and more interested in finding someone who is organised, proactive, driven and able to bring structure to complexity.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Project Management experience or exposure desirable.

• 2+ years' experience working in cross-functional teams.

• FMCG, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, sales or commercial experience highly regarded.

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• Enjoys dealing with ambiguity.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines.

• Strong attention to detail and process discipline.

• High level of initiative and ownership.

Why Mars?
Purpose:Help craft beloved brands with a legacy ofover 100 years oflocal manufacturingmaking productsthatpeople and petswillloveall while helping to build a more sustainable future.

• People:Aculture that values your contributions, fosters leadership, and recognises the impact you make. Your work truly matters here.

• Development:Shape your career with personalised development and real opportunities to grow from day one.

• Enjoy a team and business environment that is invested in helping you manage and grow your energy for work and life.

Mars is an equal opportunityemployer,and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you needassistanceor an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide suchassistance, and no applicant will be penalizedas a result ofsuch a request.