Sr Director, CatMan + Exman - Accelerator

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 154,000 - 211,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates in Chicago, IL seeks a Sr Director, Category Management & External Manufacturing to lead regional sourcing for External Manufacturing, Co-Packing, and raw materials, delivering value, continuity, and cost competitiveness.

You will influence senior leaders, drive complex negotiations, and coach a global sourcing team, partnering with Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, R&D, and Finance to align strategies with enterprise goals.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive procurement, sourcing, or commercial leadership experience.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, leading managers and high-performing teams.
• Experience developing and executing sourcing strategies delivering value through cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier-led innovation.
• Extensive experience leading complex commercial negotiations and managing strategic supplier and contract manufacturing relationships.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams in a global organization.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, with expertise in TCO, should-cost analysis, and value creation methodologies.
• Nice-to-have: experience leading external manufacturing networks and procurement transformations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve the regional sourcing organization for External Manufacturing network.
• Define and execute regional sourcing strategies for External Manufacturing, Co-Packing, and key raw materials.
• Serve as a senior procurement leader and trusted business partner with executive stakeholders.
• Drive complex negotiations and supplier strategies to enhance competitiveness, resilience, and enterprise value.
• Provide matrix leadership and coaching to a globally-based sourcing community.
• Establish performance expectations and governance with suppliers, tracking against KPIs.
• Collaborate with Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, R&D, and Finance to align sourcing with network needs.
• Represent the Accelerator Division in governance forums and strategic supplier reviews.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Supplier management

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Financial acumen

Total Cost of Ownership

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Job Description:

Sr Director, Category Management & External Manufacturing

Location: Chicago, IL

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what is next for Snacking. It is home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE'S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations. We're looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. If this inspires and energizes you, you've found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!

What are we looking for?

• A Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of progressive procurement, sourcing, or commercial leadership experience, with a deep understanding of managing complex categories and supplier relationships.
• 5+ years of proven people leadership experience, with a passion for leading managers and developing high-performing, engaged teams.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable value through cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier-led innovation.
• Extensive experience leading complex commercial negotiations and managing strategic supplier and contract manufacturing relationships.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed global organization.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, with expertise in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), should-cost analysis, and value creation methodologies.
• (Nice-to-have) Direct experience leading complex external manufacturing networks and large-scale procurement transformation initiatives.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead and evolve the regional sourcing organization, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all Source-to-Contract activities across our External Manufacturing network.
• Define and execute regional sourcing strategies for External Manufacturing, Co-Packing, and selected raw material categories to deliver sustainable value, supply continuity, and cost competitiveness.
• Serve as a senior procurement leader and trusted business partner, building alignment with executive stakeholders on sourcing strategies and key investment decisions.
• Drive complex commercial negotiations and supplier strategies that enhance our competitiveness, innovation, resilience, and overall enterprise value.
• Champion talent development by providing matrix leadership, coaching, and strategic direction to a globally-based, high-performing sourcing community.
• Establish clear performance expectations and governance processes for suppliers, holding partners accountable for delivery against KPIs and business commitments.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, R&D, and Finance to align sourcing strategies with business requirements and network needs.
• Represent the Accelerator Division in enterprise governance forums and strategic supplier reviews, ensuring our divisional priorities are integrated into enterprise sourcing strategies.

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.

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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 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00