Senior Project Manager

Mars (New); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University

Company bonus

401k plan

Medical & Dental

Paid time off

Job summary

Mars (New) is seeking a Senior Project Manager to drive portfolio execution, taking ownership of high‑complexity initiatives from charter through post‑launch review. You will lead cross‑functional teams, manage resources, timelines, and risk, and act as gatekeeper of Stage & Gate and PPM processes to deliver measurable business impact.

We value 5+ years in project management, a Bachelor's degree in a related field, and proficiency with Microsoft Project.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience with a track record in innovation.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, project management, or related discipline.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project for planning, scheduling and scenario planning.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• Experience with Idea to Market E2E processes and PPM is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio execution across growth initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• Own high-complexity projects from charter to post-launch review.
• Drive alignment on scope, timelines, resources, and critical success factors.
• Perform risk assessments and escalate issues to senior leadership as needed.
• Act as gatekeeper of Stage & Gate and the PPM system to ensure data-driven decisions.

Skills

Project management

Innovation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Influencing

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Description: What will be your key responsibilities?

Serve as the Senior Project manager for our 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, 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.

What are we looking for?

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.

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. A strong focus on 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.

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, 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 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00

Mars is a family‑owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA™ and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 140,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.