Sourcing Specialist - Packaging

Mars Incorporated in; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 79,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Job summary

Mars Incorporated in Chicago, IL is seeking a Sourcing Specialist - Packaging (Finance) to own packaging subcategories, drive sourcing initiatives, and partner with Finance, Operations, and R&D.

The role emphasizes analytical thinking, RFQ/RFP leadership, supplier negotiations, and developing value-driven sourcing strategies across a global organization.

You will benefit from Mars University and a competitive benefits package, with a focus on continuous improvement and cross-functional impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3+ years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience.
• Experience leading RFQs/RFPs and evaluating supplier proposals.
• Experience negotiating contracts and supplier agreements.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret spend, pricing, and market data.
• Ability to balance cost, quality, service, and continuity in sourcing decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Own packaging subcategories and lead sourcing initiatives with increasing independence.
• Run competitive RFQs and RFPs from market analysis through supplier selection and award.
• Analyze spend and supplier proposals to identify opportunities and risks.
• Develop business cases and sourcing recommendations balancing value and continuity.
• Lead negotiations and support end-to-end contracting with cross-functional teams.
• Maintain pricing and supplier agreements post-events.
• Collaborate across Procurement, Operations, R&D, Quality and Finance.

Skills

Procurement experience

Strategic sourcing

RFQ/RFP leadership

Negotiation

Spend analysis

Sourcing strategy

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Sourcing Specialist - Packaging (Finance)

Job Description

As a Sourcing Specialist - Packaging at Mars, you'll join a collaborative, global organization and build your expertise within a complex and evolving packaging category. This is an opportunity to take meaningful ownership, gain exposure across the business and help translate category strategies into measurable value.

You’ll work closely with the Senior Sourcing Manager, Buyers, suppliers and cross-functional partners across Operations, Supply, R&D, Quality and Finance. The ideal candidate is curious, analytical and ready to bring a point of view while continuing to grow as a strategic sourcing professional.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3+ years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading RFQs/RFPs, evaluating supplier proposals and supporting supplier selection decisions.
• Experience preparing for and participating in supplier negotiations and commercial contracting.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend, pricing, market data and commercial scenarios.
• Ability to develop well-rounded sourcing recommendations that consider cost, quality, service, innovation, sustainability and supply continuity.
• Strong communication, stakeholder-management and supplier-relationship skills, with the ability to work independently in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment.
• Packaging, FMCG/CPG, direct-materials, manufacturing, cost-modeling, commodity-pricing or global sourcing experience is preferred.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Own assigned packaging subcategories, sourcing initiatives and workstreams with increasing independence.
• Lead competitive RFQs and RFPs from market analysis and supplier engagement through proposal evaluation, supplier selection and award recommendation.
• Analyze spend, supplier proposals, cost drivers, market indices and external developments to identify sourcing opportunities and commercial risks.
• Develop sourcing scenarios, business cases and recommendations that balance value, service, quality, innovation, sustainability and supply-chain continuity.
• Partner with internal cost-modeling and business teams to prepare negotiation strategies, lead supplier negotiations and support end-to-end contracting.
• Maintain accurate pricing and commercial agreements following sourcing events.
• Build productive supplier relationships and support supplier segmentation, performance management and portfolio optimization.
• Collaborate across Procurement, Operations, Supply, R&D, Quality and Finance to implement sourcing decisions and deliver business commitments.
• Support regional and global sourcing initiatives, including standardization, analytics, automation and continuous process improvement.

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 from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a 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 79,280.00 - USD 109,010.00