Senior Manager, Data & Technology Business Partner – Category Management

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 119,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University

Company bonus

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Senior Manager, Data & Technology Business Partner for Category Management in Chicago. You will bridge regional commercial teams with Data & Technology, shaping a data-driven technology roadmap to drive retail growth and shopper activation.

You will champion AI, self-serve analytics, and modern MarTech, collaborating with Category Leadership, Sales Strategy, and Analytics to deliver measurable ROI and adoption across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, IT, Data Analytics, or related field; 7+ years in Technology Business Partnership or Category Management.
• Strong category management, shopper marketing, and retail analytics knowledge.
• Ability to translate priorities into practical technology and data roadmaps.
• Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder influence.
• Nice-to-have: CPG experience, syndicated data platforms, and MarTech exposure.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partnership: primary Data & Technology liaison for Category Management aligning data priorities with long-term goals.
• Category Management Enablement: implement tools for assortment analysis, space and shelf optimization, and market intelligence.
• Portfolio & Demand Management: manage demand intake, build business cases, secure funding, and coordinate with Product Owners and Agile teams.
• Advanced Data, Analytics & AI Strategy: champion self-service reporting, shape regional AI use cases, ensure data quality and accessibility.
• Stakeholder Alignment & Change Leadership: lead cross-functional alignment, training, and change management for ROI and adoption.

Skills

7+ years experience

Technology Business Partnership

Category Management understanding

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, IT, Data Analytics, or related field

Tools

Circana (IRI)

Nielsen

Numerator

Retailer data portals

Job description

Job Description:

Senior Manager, Data & Technology Business Partner - Category Management

Are you ready to shape the future of how some of the world's most-loved brands engage with retailers and shoppers? As the Senior Manager, Data & Technology Business Partner, you'll serve as the vital strategic bridge between our regional commercial business and our cutting-edge Data & Technology teams. In this highly collaborative role, you will partner directly with Category Leadership, Sales Strategy, and Analytics teams to co-create a high-impact technology and data roadmap. Your mission is to unlock sustainable retail growth, elevate shopper activation, and pioneer data-driven decision-making across the organization.

Acting as a trusted advisor, you'll identify opportunities to harness advanced analytics, AI, digital capabilities, and modern technology platforms. Whether you're driving planogram and assortment optimization, refining shopper marketing campaign effectiveness, or automating legacy reporting, you will be the champion of commercial digital transformation. If you combine sharp CPG business acumen with a passion for digital innovation and stakeholder collaboration, this role offers the perfect platform to make a lasting impact.

What are we looking for?

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Information Technology, Data Analytics, or a related field, combined with a minimum of 7+ years of professional experience in Technology Business Partnership, Business Relationship Management, Product Management, or Category Management.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong, practical understanding of Category Management, Shopper Marketing, and Retail Analytics processes (including assortment planning and space/shelf analytics).
• Strategic Roadmap Translation: Proven ability to translate complex business priorities and raw retail challenges into practical, structured technology and data roadmaps.
• Matrixed Stakeholder Management: Outstanding communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with a track record of influencing cross-functional leaders without direct authority.
• CPG Industry Experience (Nice-to-Have): Prior experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector or partnering directly with major retail category leads.
• Syndicated Data & Analytics (Nice-to-Have): Familiarity with syndicated data platforms such as Circana (IRI), Nielsen, Numerator, or retailer-specific data portals.
• Modern MarTech & Data Solutions (Nice-to-Have): Exposure to Customer Data Platforms (CDP), CRM, Marketing Technology, or advanced AI/ML commercial use cases.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Strategic Business Partnership: Serve as the primary Data & Technology liaison for Category Management cultivating trusted relationships and aligning data priorities with long-term commercial goals.
• Category Management Enablement: Supercharge our category management capabilities by implementing modern tools for assortment analysis, space and shelf optimization, and market intelligence.
• Portfolio & Demand Management: Manage demand intake, build robust business cases, secure strategic funding, and coordinate closely with Product Owners and Agile Engineering teams to keep delivery on track.
• Advanced Data, Analytics & AI Strategy: Champion self-service reporting, shape future regional AI and predictive analytics use cases, and partner with data teams to safeguard data quality and accessibility.
• Stakeholder Alignment & Change Leadership: Lead cross-functional alignment and drive active business readiness, training, and change management to guarantee that technology investments deliver real-world ROI and high adoption rates.

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 shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 119,040.00 - USD 163,680.00