Manager, Supplier Inclusion & Opportunity

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking a Manager, Supplier Inclusion & Opportunity to drive supplier inclusion across North America and support Mars’ Sustainability agenda through Supplier Code of Conduct compliance. You will partner with cross-functional sourcing teams and external organizations to expand access to procurement opportunities and strengthen supplier competition.

The role reports to the VP MGS Commercial - Americas and will require ongoing program updates to regional leadership, with travel

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Min. 3 years of procurement experience, ideally with supplier inclusion and procurement exposure.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an enterprise-wide supplier opportunity strategy to expand participation by qualified businesses in competitive procurement processes.
• Expand supplier discovery to include emerging businesses, small enterprises, and underserved markets.
• Build relationships with chambers of commerce, industry associations, and supplier networks.
• Design and implement supplier education, outreach, and engagement initiatives to increase awareness of procurement opportunities.
• Coordinate supplier forums and matchmaking events open to eligible businesses under neutral criteria.
• Facilitate connections between qualified suppliers and internal procurement decision-makers.
• Ensure supplier engagement complies with applicable laws and regulations.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Supply leadership to maintain controls for supplier qualification and contracting.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or relevant discipline

Job description

The Manager, Supplier Inclusion & Opportunity is responsible for developing and executing strategies that expand access to procurement opportunities, strengthen supplier competition, and enhance the organization's ability to identify, evaluate, and engage qualified businesses across its supply chain.

The primary purpose of this role is

• 1) to partner with our cross-segment North America (NA) Commercial (Sourcing) teams to drive Mars Inc.'s supplier inclusion agenda in NA.
• 2) to partner within Mars Global Services Commercial to meet new requirements related to Mars' Inc.'s Sustainability agenda e.g. compliance to Mars Inc.'s Supplier Code of Conduct.

The role will partner with the Commercial Regional Leadership teams to lead our internal and external facing programs that drive meaningful action on Supplier Inclusion across the segments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an enterprise-wide supplier opportunity strategy designed to expand participation by qualified businesses in competitive procurement processes.
• Expand the company's supplier discovery efforts to include emerging businesses, small enterprises, innovative suppliers, and businesses operating in underserved or underrepresented commercial markets.
• Build relationships with chambers of commerce, industry associations, small-business development organizations, trade groups, and supplier networks.
• Design and implement supplier education, outreach, and engagement initiatives that increase awareness of procurement opportunities.
• Coordinate supplier forums, capability presentations, matchmaking events, and procurement-readiness workshops that are open to eligible businesses under neutral, objective criteria.
• Facilitate connections between qualified suppliers and internal procurement decision-makers based on business capabilities and sourcing needs.
• Ensure supplier engagement and opportunity programs comply with applicable federal, state, local, and international laws and regulations.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Supply leadership to maintain appropriate controls for supplier qualification, selection, and contracting.
• Monitor evolving legal and regulatory developments affecting supplier engagement and procurement practices.
• Represent the organization in relevant industry forums, business associations, and supplier inclusion initiatives.

This role will report into the VP MGS Commercial - Americas initially. Reporting lines may change in the future.

The incumbent will progress a regular cadence of program updates and insights on Supplier Inclusion to the Americas Commercial Regional Leadership Team.

As requirements develop, the incumbent will partner with MGS Commercial NA to develop and support the Sustainability agenda, with a specific focus on Supplier Code of Conduct.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business or relevant discipline or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Min. 3 years of relevant professional experience mainly in Procurement. Ideally both in Supplier Inclusion as well as first‑hand Procurement experience.

Ability to travel where appropriate - 10%

Knowledge/Experience

• Working in a cross-functional business environment/team
• Strong Self Starter and execution focused.
• Strong advocate for Supplier Inclusion and Sustainability agenda
• Project & activity management
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Competencies

Manages Ambiguity, Organizational Savvy Plans and Aligns, Persuades; Courage; Values Differences

Stakeholder & Business Partnering

Supplier Performance & Relationship management

Analytics and Insights

Direct Reports : None

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 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00

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