Senior Project Manager

Mars Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 101,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Variable pay

Medical and dental benefits

Participation in 401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Mars Incorporated in Chicago, IL is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the planning and execution of complex innovation projects within the Chocolate portfolio. You will steer cross-functional teams through the project lifecycle to meet strategic business objectives.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while delivering on-time results and value creation. Base compensation aligns with market ranges for US locations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management with proven track record on innovation.
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in business 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 Senior Project Manager for the chocolate portfolio, driving execution that supports growth and brand strategies.
• Own high complexity initiatives, guiding projects from charter development through post-launch review.
• Lead cross-functional teams to align on scope, resources, and detailed timelines.
• Conduct risk assessments and escalate issues to stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Act as gatekeeper of Stage & Gate framework and PPM system for disciplined execution.
• Support development of the 3+3 growth pipeline for Chocolate and resource optimization.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Influencing

Adaptability

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

PPM system

Job description

Job Description

As a Senior Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading the planning and execution of complex innovation projects, steering cross-functional teams throughout the project lifecycle, to achieve the strategic business objectives of our Chocolate category. 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 complex projects from inception to completion.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Serve as the Senior Project manager for the chocolate Portfolio, driving execution that directly supports growth, brand strategies and business priorities.
• Take full ownership of high complexity 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 highly complex initiatives that require capital investments to those focused on value leadership or freedom to operate.
• 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.
• Partner closely with project manager cell leads and portfolio managers to support the development and execution of the 3+3 growth pipeline for Chocolate, ensuring alignment with long-term strategic objectives.
• Assist in identifying and prioritizing projects and resource allocations to optimize value delivery and address gaps within the pipeline.
• Collaborate with leadership to integrate pipeline goals into broader organizational strategies, ensuring the sufficiency pipeline delivers meaningful business impact.
• Own and monitor item setup and tracking, ensuring smooth progression and to troubleshooting when needed through the GTM (Go-to-Market) process.
• Lead continuous improvements in ways of working and value creation against the wider business objectives.

Must have:

• 5+ years of Project management with proven track record on innovation
• 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:

Balances stakeholders, business insights, communicates effectively, organizational savvy, nimble learning, financial acumen, strategic mindset, optimizes work processes, plans and aligns, drives results, builds effective teams, Manages Ambiguity.

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
• 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 101,120.00 - USD 139,040.00