Channel Effectiveness Manager

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 108,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates is seeking a Channel Effectiveness Manager in the Bentonville, AR area with responsibilities spanning channel strategy, planning, and cross-functional collaboration to drive growth in multiple retail channels.

You will coordinate with Sales Directors and Customer Development to align forecasts with demand, tailor national stories to customer needs, and support major retail accounts across Walmart and other channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 4–6+ years of progressive commercial experience in Sales Planning, Customer/Channel Development, Category Management, or Key Account Management within CPG/FMCG.
• Proven track record of executing channel strategies, commercial playbooks, and joint customer business plans.
• Experience with sales forecasts, demand planning, and gap analysis.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with Sales Directors, Customer Marketing, Brand Marketing, and Supply/Demand Planning.
• Experience leading annual channel planning sessions and senior leadership meetings.
• Domestic travel 10–15% of time.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Sales Directors and Customer Development Managers to execute channel strategies, playbooks, and seasonal launches.
• Steer the channel annual planning framework and participate in National Playbooks.
• Represent channel in forecasting reviews and resolve gaps between demand and supply.
• Tailor selling stories, displays, and marketing content to customer/channel needs.
• Collaborate with account teams to set targets and optimize product allocations.
• Lead upfront stages of commercial programs across Brand, Customer Marketing, and Supply Planning.

Skills

Sales Planning

Customer/Channel Development

Category Management

Key Account Management

Channel Strategies

Joint Business Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field

Master’s degree / MBA in Business, Marketing, or Supply Chain

Tools

SAP

Blue Yonder/JDA

Anaplan

Nielsen/IRI

Power BI

Job description

Job Description:

Channel Effectiveness Manager - Club/Value/Drug/Grocery/Walmart/On-the-go

Bentonville, AR & Chicago, IL

Multiple Opportunities

As aCustomer Marketing ManagerforMars Snacking, you will be the critical link connecting our Brand Marketing and Sales teams. You’ll champion the "Voice of the Customer" internally and represent the "Voice of the Brands" across top retail accounts. Working within an integrated marketing team, you will co-lead joint business planning, translate shopper insights into actionable commercial strategies, and influence retail partners to accelerate brand growth and market share.

What are we looking for?

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 4–6+ yearsof progressive commercial experience inSales Planning, Customer/Channel Development, Category Management, or Key Account Managementwithin Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or FMCG.
• Proven track record of executingchannel strategies, commercial playbooks, and joint customer business plans.
• Demonstrated experience working withsales forecasts, demand planning, and gap analysis(e.g., aligning operational forecasts with commercial targets/One Demand plans).
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with a history of partnering withSales Directors, Customer Marketing, Brand Marketing, and Supply/Demand Planning.
• Proven ability to organize, lead, and facilitateannual channel planning sessions and senior leadership meetings.
• This position requires domestic travel estimated at10–15%of business time, subject to business needs.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree / MBA in Business, Marketing, or Supply Chain.
• 6–8+ yearsof CPG/FMCG experience supporting major retail channels (e.g., Mass, Grocery, Pet Specialty, Club, or E-Commerce).
• Proficient with commercial forecasting and ERP systems (such asSAP, Blue Yonder/JDA, Anaplan, Nielsen/IRI, or Power BI).
• Direct experience managingproduct allocations, supply constraints, and customer service level targetsduring high-demand or promotional cycles.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Partner with Sales Directors and Customer Development Managers to execute channel strategies, commercial playbooks, and high-impact seasonal/innovation launches.
• Steer the channel-level annual planning framework, provide input into National Playbooks, and facilitate senior leadership planning sessions.
• Represent the channel in forecasting reviews, identifying and resolving gaps between customer demand (One Demand) and supply capabilities.
• Tailor national selling stories, promotional displays, and brand marketing content to align with specific customer and channel needs.
• Collaborate with account teams to establish program targets and optimize product allocations to protect customer service levels.
• Own and orchestrate the upfront stages of commercial programs—collaborating across Brand, Customer Marketing, and Supply Planning to set the foundation for seamless market execution

What can you expect from Mars Snacking?

• 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 does not sponsor visas for this role.

This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.

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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 shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00