Project Manager

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates is seeking a Project Manager in Chicago to lead renovation and innovation projects across the confectionery portfolio. You will guide cross-functional teams from ideation to post-launch review, ensuring on-time, within-scope delivery that supports growth and strategic objectives.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate ambiguity, with responsibilities ranging from charter development to value creation and

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Project manager for the confectionery portfolio, driving execution that supports growth, brand strategies and business priorities.
• Own initiatives from charter development through post-launch review, ensuring delivery against objectives.
• Simultaneously manage projects of varying complexities, including pack extensions, maintenance, small investments and value leadership.
• Lead cross-functional teams across functions to align on scope, identify success factors, allocate resources, and create detailed timelines.
• Conduct risk assessments to anticipate obstacles, proactively resolving issues and ensuring project resilience.
• Identify and escalate issues and risks to stakeholders, senior leadership and S&OP+ forums while minimizing disruption.
• Act as gatekeeper of Stage & Gate framework and PPM system to drive disciplined execution with data-backed decisions.
• Assist in identifying and prioritizing projects and resources to optimize value delivery.
• Own and monitor item setup and tracking through the GTM process, troubleshooting as needed.
• Lead continuous improvement for ways of working and value creation against broader business objectives.

Skills

Project Management

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

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

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 listed is applicable to IL:USD 82,748.00 - USD 113,779.00