Principal Process Enablement & Operating Model Lead

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 234,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates seeks a Principal Process Enablement & Operating Model Lead to translate our Digital Operating Model into scalable, high-impact processes across Mars Snacking, Mars Kellanova, and Global Enabling Functions. You’ll drive value through automation, governance, and agile enablement while mentoring teams worldwide.

You will champion Lean Six Sigma approaches, build baselines, and develop dashboards to track speed, cost, and quality improvements, influencing

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience leading business process design or operating model transformation within a global matrix organization.
• Demonstrated mastery in Lean Six Sigma, Value-Stream Mapping, BPMN.
• Strong proficiency in modern product & platform operating models, Agile delivery, and digital capability enablement.
• Proven track record of influencing senior leadership and aligning cross-functional teams.
• Deep competence in root-cause analysis, baselines, and executive dashboards to measure impact.
• Experience identifying opportunities for workflow automation and AI integration.

Responsibilities

• Translate the Digital Operating Model into highly effective, standardized end-to-end processes.
• Co-create unified operating procedures with Finance, Procurement, InfoSec, Risk & Compliance, P&O.
• Lead discovery sessions and interviews to clarify roles, accountabilities, and decision rights.
• Establish baselines, cycle-time metrics, and dashboards to quantify speed and productivity savings.
• Own and prioritize the enterprise process-improvement backlog aligned with Digital Transformation goals.
• Coach analysts and regional champions in Lean methodologies and continuous improvement.
• Develop SOPs, playbooks, templates, and guides to accelerate change adoption.
• Partner with product lines and units to ensure measurable, lasting business impact.

Skills

Enterprise experience

Process excellence

Digital operating models

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical & KPI

Innovation & tech fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business/IT/operations

Job description

Job Description:

Principal Process Enablement & Operating Model Lead

Are you ready to shape the future of how a global enterprise operates? As the Principal Process Enablement & Operating Model Lead, you will serve as the primary catalyst and visionary orchestrator translating our Digital Operating Model into scalable, simplified, and high-impact business processes. Partnering across Mars Snacking, Mars Kellanova, and Global Enabling Functions (Finance, Procurement, Information Security, and P&O), you will navigate organizational complexity to unlock operational clarity and drive enterprise-wide agility.

In this pivotal role, you will bring the "art of the possible" to life—identifying high-value opportunities to optimize existing workflows, integrate intelligent automation and AI, and establish robust process governance. You will operate hands-on to build cycle-time baselines and value-stream architecture while mentoring associates and championing continuous improvement, with a clear trajectory to expand your leadership footprint across our global digital ecosystem.

What are we looking for?

• Enterprise Experience:5+ years of progressive experience leading business process design, operating model transformation, or continuous improvement within a complex, global matrix organization (CPG / FMCG experience preferred).

• Process Excellence & Methodologies:Demonstrated mastery in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Value-Stream Mapping, and Business Process Model & Notation (BPMN).

• Digital Operating Models:Strong proficiency in modern Product & Platform operating models, Agile delivery frameworks, and digital capability enablement.

• Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Leadership:Proven track record of influencing senior leadership without direct authority, breaking down organizational silos, and aligning cross-functional teams (Commercial, Finance, Procurement, Risk & Security).

• Analytical & KPI Acumen:Deep competence in root‑cause analysis, establishing process performance baselines, and building executive dashboards to measure cost‑avoidance, speed, and quality.

• Innovation & Tech Fluency:Experience identifying high‑impact opportunities for workflow automation, digitization, and practical AI integration across business processes.

• Education:Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Operations Management, or a related field.

Nice-to-Haves (Preferred):

• Master’s degree or relevant industry certifications (Lean Six Sigma Black/Green Belt, BPM, Agile Product Management, or PROSCI Change Management).

• Direct experience navigating major enterprise integration, business unit harmonization, or transition management initiatives.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Operating Model Orchestration:Translate the Digital Operating Model into highly effective, standardized, and scalable end-to-end processes across Mars Snacking and Kellanova.

• Cross-Functional Co-Creation:Partner directly with critical enabling functions (Finance, Procurement, InfoSec, Risk & Compliance, P&O) to co-create unified operating procedures and eliminate operational bottlenecks.

• Multi-Stakeholder Alignment:Facilitate high-impact discovery workshops, executive interviews, and alignment sessions to drive clarity around roles, mutual accountabilities, and decision rights (RAPID framework).

• Performance Measurement & KPIs:Establish process baselines, cycle-time metrics, and performance dashboards to quantify speed, cost-effectiveness, and productivity savings.

• Backlog Prioritization & Execution:Own and prioritize the enterprise process improvement backlog in tight alignment with strategic Digital Transformation goals.

• Capability Building & Mentorship:Coach and upskill process analysts, project team members, and regional "process champions" in Lean methodologies and continuous improvement mindsets.

• Workforce Enablement:Develop practical, easily consumable playbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, and learning guides to accelerate change adoption and associate onboarding.

• Implementation & Sustainable Change:Actively partner with product lines and business units across regions to ensure process improvements deliver measurable, lasting business impact.

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.

• Best‑in‑class 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.

#TBdigital

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 169,840.00 - USD 233,530.00