Project Manager

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates in Chicago is seeking a Project Manager to lead the planning and execution of renovation and innovation projects, guiding cross-functional teams from charter to post-launch review. You will drive timelines, resources and risk management while fostering collaboration and accountability.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, stakeholder management, and a proven track record of delivering projects end-to-end in a CPG environment.

Qualifications

• External candidates: 2+ years of project management with proven track record on innovation.
• Internal candidates: 3–5 years of cross-functional experience.
• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge and expertise in utilizing Microsoft Project for effective project planning, scheduling and scenario planning.
• Knowledge of Idea to Market E2E process.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity

Responsibilities

• Lead projects in confectionery portfolio from charter to post-launch review.
• Drive cross-functional teams to meet scope, timelines and budget.
• Manage ideation, scoping, timelines, and resources.
• Identify risks, escalate issues, and ensure project resilience.
• Operate Stage & Gate framework and PPM system for disciplined execution.
• Support priority setting and resource allocations across pipeline.
• Oversee GTM processes and post-launch optimization.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Influencing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Description:

Job Description

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading the planning and execution of renovation and innovation projects, steering cross-functional teams throughout the project lifecycle, to achieve the strategic business objectives of our Business. You will also play a role in enhancing our product offerings and operational efficiencies.

Your responsibilities will include managing project ideation, scoping, timelines, and resources while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creative problem-solving. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, effectively balancing stakeholders, communicating efficiently and ensuring accountability. Will need to have proven track record of successfully managing projects from inception to completion.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Serve as the Project manager for the confectionery Portfolio, driving execution that directly supports growth, brand strategies and business priorities.

• Take full ownership of initiatives, guiding projects from initial charter development through post-launch review, ensuring seamless delivery against objectives.

• Simultaneously manage and lead projects of varying complexities, ranging from pack extensions, maintenance, small investments and value leadership.

• Lead cross-functional teams across functions to align on project scope, identify critical success factors, allocate resources effectively, and create detailed, actionable timelines.

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to anticipate potential obstacles, proactively resolving issues and ensuring project resilience.

• Facilitates the identification and escalation of issues and risks to relevant stakeholders, senior leadership and/or S&OP+ forums while minimizing disruption to the project.

• Act as the gatekeeper of the Stage & gate framework and PPM system; leveraging the methodology to drive precision in execution, instill discipline across the team, and ensure decisions are underpinned by robust data and documentation.

• Assist in identifying and prioritizing projects and resource allocations to optimize value delivery and address gaps within the pipeline.

• Own and monitor item setup and tracking, ensuring smooth progression and to troubleshooting when needed through the GTM (Go-to-Market) process.

• Lead continuous improvement for ways of working and value creation against the wider business objectives.

Must have:

• External candidates: 2+ years of Project management with proven track record on innovation

• Internal candidates: 3–5 years of cross-functional experience.

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related discipline.

• Knowledge and expertise in utilizing Microsoft Project for effective project planning, scheduling and scenario planning.

• Knowledge of Idea to Market E2E process.

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.

• Comfort navigating ambiguity

Preferred:

• Experience in a CPG environment

• Knowledge and expertise in utilizing PPM to manage project lifecycle.

Skills:

Project Management Skills, critical thinking, problem solving, cross- functional collaboration, risk management, influencing.

Competencies:

Plans and aligns, Drives results, Balances stakeholders, ensures accountability, communicates effectively, organizational savvy, nimble learning, Manages Ambiguity.

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