Senior Manager, Finance - R&D

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 134,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

401(k) plan

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Senior Manager, Finance – R&D to join the Global Snacking FP&A and Business Partnering team. This role will drive the financial performance of our global R&D organization, providing strategic insights and supporting investment decisions to enable innovation and growth.

The Senior Manager oversees budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning for R&D, develops financial models, and partners with R&D leadership and functions across Finance, Commercial, and Supply

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in Finance, FP&A, or R&D finance in a CPG context preferred.
• Strong skills in financial planning, forecasting, budgeting and performance analysis.
• Experience in investment evaluation, business case development and financial modeling.
• Excellent analytical, communication and storytelling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of R&D financial strategies aligned with Mars objectives.
• Oversee consolidation of R&D budgets, forecasts and long-term plans; analyze performance and risks.
• Develop financial models and scenario analyses for investment decisions.
• Communicate financial performance and trends clearly to technical and non-financial stakeholders.

Skills

Financial analysis

Business partnering

Investment evaluation

Strategic storytelling

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Admin

MBA or CPA/CFA preferred

Job description

Job Description:

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Senior Manager, Finance – R&D to join our Global Snacking FP&A and Business Partnering team. This role will be pivotal in driving the financial performance of our global R&D organization, providing strategic insights, and supporting investment decisions that enable innovation, product development, and long-term business growth. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in financial planning and analysis, financial business partnering, and investment management, preferably within a CPG organization.

The R&D Finance Business Partner will serve as a strategic thought partner to R&D leadership, bringing exceptional analytical skills, strong business acumen, a desire to learn the science and innovation agenda, and the ability to collaborate effectively across various levels of the organization.

Candidates should possess a strong understanding of R&D investment management, project financial tracking, and productivity/value creation. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to flex perspective to recognize the impact of R&D decisions on the end-to-end business, balancing innovation priorities, resource allocation, cost efficiency, and long-term value creation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership:

Lead the development and execution of R&D financial strategies that align with Mars business objectives. Provide financial insights, recommendations, and investment guidance to R&D leadership to maximize the value of innovation investments and drive sustainable business growth.

Financial Planning & Analysis:

Oversee the consolidation of R&D budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans. Analyze financial performance against targets, identify risks and opportunities, and provide actionable insights to deliver financial commitments. Conduct financial modeling and scenario analysis to support investment and resource allocation decisions.

Storytelling:

Communicate R&D financial performance, investment trends, and business insights in a clear and compelling way that is easily understood by technical and non-financial stakeholders. Use data visualization and financial storytelling to convey complex information, highlight key business drivers, and influence decision-making.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Partner closely with R&D Leadership, Finance, Commercial, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to connect financial performance with innovation priorities and business outcomes. Challenge assumptions, influence investment decisions, and ensure alignment between R&D spending, strategic objectives, and enterprise-wide priorities.

R&D Investment & Portfolio Management:

Support the evaluation and prioritization of R&D projects and innovation initiatives through financial modeling, business case development, and return-on-investment analysis. Monitor project spending, assess resource requirements, and provide visibility into portfolio performance to support effective investment decisions.

Cost Management & Productivity:

Identify opportunities to improve R&D cost efficiency, resource utilization, and investment productivity. Monitor key cost drivers, including headcount, external research, project expenses, and operating costs. Partner with stakeholders to develop and track productivity initiatives, ensuring delivery of financial commitments without compromising innovation outcomes.

Team Leadership & Development:

Model excellent business partnering and promote a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and personal development. Share financial best practices, strengthen financial capabilities across the R&D organization, and encourage innovative thinking to improve financial performance and decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or relevant professional certification (e.g., CPA, CFA) preferred.
• Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in Finance, FP&A, business partnering, R&D Finance, or related roles; experience within a CPG or innovation-driven organization preferred.
• Strong understanding of financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, management reporting, and financial performance analysis.
• Experience in investment evaluation, business case development, financial modeling, and scenario planning
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and translate it into actionable business insights.
• Proven experience in cross-functional business partnering and managing stakeholder relationships across Finance and non-financial functions.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with the ability to convey complex financial concepts to technical and non-financial stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, influence decisions, and operate effectively in a dynamic, evolving business environment.

Mars Leadership Competencies

To excel in this role, the following Mars Leadership Competencies are essential:

• Manages Complexity
• Courage
• Nimble Learning
• Being Resilient

Supported by a foundation of skills in influencing stakeholders, building collaborative relationships, driving accountability, communicating with impact, and creating new and different solutions to improve financial performance and maximize the value of R&D investments.

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 134,400.00 - USD 184,800.00