Innovation Project Manager – Confectionery Portfolio

Mars; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Mars University learning program

Job summary

Mars in Chicago, IL is seeking a Project Manager to lead planning and execution of renovation and innovation projects across the confectionery portfolio. You will steer cross-functional teams, manage initiatives from charter to post-launch review, and ensure delivery against objectives.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and comfort navigating ambiguity, with responsibility for prioritizing projects and optimizing value delivery aligned to business goals.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of Project management with proven track record on innovation (external candidates)
• Internal candidates: 3–5 years of cross-functional experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related discipline
• Experience with Microsoft Project for planning and scheduling
• Knowledge of Idea to Market end-to-end process
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills
• Comfort navigating ambiguity

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of renovation and innovation projects.
• Manage project ideation, scoping, timelines and resources.
• Lead cross-functional teams to align on scope and timelines.
• Identify risks and ensure project resilience and issue escalation.
• Act as gatekeeper of Stage & Gate framework and PPM system.

Skills

Project management

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Influencing

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

PPM tools

Job description

Mars in Chicago, IL is seeking a Project Manager to lead planning and execution of renovation and innovation projects across the confectionery portfolio. You will steer cross-functional teams, manage initiatives from charter to post-launch review, and ensure delivery against objectives.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and comfort navigating ambiguity, with responsibility for prioritizing projects and optimizing value delivery aligned to business goals.