Portfolio PPA Strategy Lead for Growth & Innovation

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

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Manager, Portfolio PPA Strategy in Chicago, IL. This role designs and executes a 3+ year PPA innovation pipeline across categories, translating consumer insights into a winning assortment strategy.

The candidate will collaborate with Brand, RGM, and Supply Chain to maximize household penetration and drive sustainable growth for the Mars portfolio. Office-based position with industry-competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Finance, Strategy, or related field required (MBA preferred).
• 4+ years of working experience in CPG, with a strong focus in Brand Management, Revenue Growth Management (RGM), Category Management, or Product Portfolio Strategy.
• Strong data interpretation and analytical skills, with a proven ability to translate complex consumer and commercial data into actionable, premium-tier retail packaging strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, align, and work effectively across a highly cross-functional matrixed organization.
• Previous experience in innovation nice to have
• Consumer insight experience and Category Management experience
• Experience with Nielsen and IRI
• Comfortable with Storytelling
• A highly curious and creative problem solver with a positive, proactive "can-do" attitude, resilience in navigating complex projects, and a passion for uncovering consumer-led product opportunities

Responsibilities

• Lead the collaborative development and execution of a multi-year Price Pack Architecture roadmap across multiple categories, ensuring alignment with brand guardrails and long-term business objectives.
• Conduct comprehensive assortment analysis to identify critical price points and optimal pack formats across various retail channels, matching product configurations to specific consumer purchasing behaviors.
• Leverage deep consumer, shopper, and market insights to optimize packaging configurations, ensuring they are competitive, highly relevant, and visually/functionally appealing to target shoppers.
• Act as the lead bridge between RGM, Brand, Insights, and Supply Chain to evaluate the commercial viability, pricing strategy, and shelf-impact of new pack formats.

Skills

Brand Management

Revenue Growth Management

Category Management

Product Portfolio Strategy

Data interpretation

Storytelling

Cross-functional collaboration

Nielsen

IRI

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Finance/Strategy

MBA preferred

Tools

Nielsen

IRI

Job description

Mars is seeking a Manager, Portfolio PPA Strategy in Chicago, IL. This role designs and executes a 3+ year PPA innovation pipeline across categories, translating consumer insights into a winning assortment strategy.

The candidate will collaborate with Brand, RGM, and Supply Chain to maximize household penetration and drive sustainable growth for the Mars portfolio. Office-based position with industry-competitive pay and benefits.