Sr Director, CatMan + Exman - Accelerator

mars; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Mars University access

Job summary

Mars Accelerator Division is seeking a Sr Director of Category Management & External Manufacturing in Chicago, IL. This role leads regional sourcing for External Manufacturing, Co-Packing, and key raw materials, influencing senior leaders and driving value across a global network.

You will define regional strategies, negotiate at the highest level, and develop a world-class sourcing community while partnering with Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, R&D and Finance to meet business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or leadership roles.
• Proven ability to develop and execute sourcing strategies that drive cost optimization and supplier-led innovation.
• Experience leading external manufacturing networks and contract manufacturing relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Source-to-Contract activities across External Manufacturing, Co-Packing, and raw material categories.
• Define regional sourcing strategies to deliver sustainable value, supply continuity, and cost competitiveness.
• Partner with executives and cross-functional teams to align sourcing with business investments and priorities.
• Lead complex negotiations and supplier strategies to improve competitiveness, resilience, and enterprise value.
• Coach and develop a globally distributed sourcing community with clear performance expectations.
• Govern suppliers with KPI-driven governance and enforce delivery against commitments.
• Collaborate with Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, R&D, and Finance to align strategies with network needs.
• Represent the Accelerator Division in governance forums and supplier reviews.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

External manufacturing

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Financial acumen

TCO analysis

Education

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

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's next for Snacking. It's 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.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay o

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