Global Head of Data Science, Analytics & AI

Mars Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 252,000 - 347,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Mars University learning

Industry competitive salary and paid 0

Job summary

Mars Incorporated in Chicago, IL, seeks a Global Head of Data Science, Analytics & AI for Mars Snacking to lead the analytics and AI strategy across the segment. You will shape governance, build a high‑performing team, and partner with senior leaders to drive value through data‑driven products and capabilities.

Reporting to the SVP Chief Data & Analytics Officer, you will advance AI maturity, manage vendor relationships, and influence technology choices across platforms such as GCP Gemini,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's or PhD preferred in a quantitative field.
• 12+ years in data and analytics with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Proven experience in Product Management within AI/Data Science/ML.
• Strong stakeholder management across a large enterprise.
• Deep technical knowledge in ML, Data Science and Computational Science.
• Experience in AI strategy development and implementation.
• Vendor/partner management to drive innovation and execution.
• UX principles applied to AI/analytics products.
• Business case development and feasibility assessment.
• CPG or Retail experience ideal.
• Experience with GCP Gemini, Databricks, Azure platforms.

Responsibilities

• AI Strategy & Vision: lead the strategic vision for data science, analytics and AI.
• Team Leadership: build and develop a global Data Science, Analytics & AI team.
• Stakeholder Management / Business Partnership: partner with regional and functional leaders.
• Deliver Business Value: support integration priorities with pace and purpose.
• Operational Excellence: accelerate growth via advanced analytics and AI capabilities.
• Capability & Governance: establish scalable governance and value realization.
• Elevate AI Literacy: drive AI maturity across the segment.
• Technology & Architecture: influence analytics tech direction with IT and partners.
• Innovation & Research: lead exploration of new models and market trends.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Product management

AI strategy

Machine learning

Data science

Computational science

Vendor management

UX principles

Business case development

CPG/retail domain exposure

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or PhD in a quantitative field

Tools

GCP Gemini

Databricks

Azure

Job description

Job Description

The Global Head of Data Science, Analytics & AI for Mars Snacking is a pivotal senior leadership role, that will be joining at a time of transformation for the Segment, following the recent acquisition of Kellanova, We are seeking a visionary leader to shape and execute our segment's Analytics & AI strategy. Reporting to the SVP Chief Data & Analytics Officer, and a member of the CDAO leadership team, you will be instrumental in powering our strategic priorities delivering leading digital products and capabilities, developing the governance & frameworks for how we lead in this space, and building a best-in-class team.

Mars Snacking is at the start of a hugely exciting journey, integrating two incredibly successful organizations with exciting and category leading brands. This position requires a leader who can innovate, excite, and help shape our future; ensuring data, analytics, and AI are core enablers of our growth across a newly expanded portfolio. As a key member of the CDAO leadership team, you will be responsible for co‑creating a vision and strategy that will help steer the organisation through complexity and change, keeping a sharp focus on value creation and a winning culture.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or PhD in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, or a related discipline preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in the data and analytics space with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity managing large, technical teams.
• Proven experience in Product Management, specifically within the AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning domains.
• Strong stakeholder relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior leaders across a large enterprise.
• Deep technical knowledge in Machine Learning, Data Science, and Computational Science.
• Demonstrated experience in AI strategy development and successful implementation.
• Experience managing vendor and partner relationships to drive innovation and execution.
• A strong understanding of User Experience (UX) principles in the context of AI and analytics products.
• Solid experience in business case development and feasibility assessment for technical projects.
• Ideally experience in a CPG or Retail environment.
• Experience working across leading technology platforms including GCP Gemini, Databricks, Azure, etc.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• AI Strategy & Vision: Lead the development and application of the strategic vision for data science, analytics, and AI for the Snacking segment, partnering with functional, regional, and divisional leaders to deliver innovative and scalable solutions.
• Team Leadership: Build, engage, and develop a high-performing global team of Data Science, Analytics & AI associates, establishing clear ways of working and accountabilities.
• Stakeholder Management / Business Partnership: Be the strategic partner of choice for the segment regions, functions & divisions by deeply understanding the business needs, identifying opportunities for scale and providing innovative solutions and recommendations.
• Deliver Business Value: Support the regions, functions and divisions on the delivery of our integration priorities with purpose and pace.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure operational excellence and accelerate quality growth through the creation of advanced analytics and AI capabilities, such as SRM (Strategic Revenue Management) and Perfect Store, Perfect Service agentic tools.
• Capability & Governance: Establish a clear vision, strategy, and framework to ensure a consistent, scalable, and high-quality approach to Analytics & AI, ensuring value realization and adherence to governance and ethical practices.
• Elevate AI Literacy: Act as an accelerator and champion for AI maturity growth across the segment, elevating capabilities and sponsoring valuable experimentation and scale.
• Technology & Architecture: Contribute to the architectural direction for analytics technology solutions and partner with internal IT and external partners to maximize the value derived from our technology platforms.
• Innovation & Research: Lead the research and evaluation of emerging skills, models, and market trends, bringing forward recommendations and solutions to achieve our long-term vision.

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.

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 252,000.00 - USD 346,500.00