Sr. Manager, Innovation- Strategic Demand KIND

Mars Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 134,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University programs

Industry-competitive salary

Company bonus

Job summary

Mars Incorporated in the United States seeks a Senior Manager, Strategic Demand Leadership (SDL) - Innovation to bridge R&D, Innovation Marketing, Revenue Growth Management and Sales, turning bold product concepts into market-leading launches.

You will own the innovation strategy, develop omni-channel launch plans, and manage channel profitability while translating market trends into reliable demand signals for sustained growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in CPG marketing, innovation, commercial strategy, category management, or demand planning.
• Proven track record launching new products within a fast-paced CPG environment.
• Deep understanding of innovation pipelines, customer activation, and omni-channel execution.
• Consultant-style analytical toolkit with strong structured problem-solving skills and agility across strategy and execution.
• Demonstrated experience building customer-centric growth plans, AMPS strategies, and promotional plans.
• Proven ability to influence, align, and lead multi-disciplinary teams without direct authority, backed by presentation and communication skills.
• Strong acumen in analyzing market performance metrics to extract actionable insights.
• Nice-to-have: S&OP and SRM/RGM knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Innovation Strategy & Development: Partner with Innovation Marketing, Consumer Insights, and R&D to identify needs and opportunities, shaping pipelines and commercialization strategies.
• Innovation Launch Excellence: Develop omni-channel launch strategies that maximize awareness, trial, and sustainable adoption.
• Sales Plan Execution: Drive the annual sales strategy to deliver net sales and operating profit goals across channels.
• Channel & Customer Leadership: Own the AMPS strategy, co-creating pack and channel solutions with cross-functional partners.
• Trend & Competitive Intelligence: Maintain intelligence on industry trends, shopper behaviors, and competitor actions.
• Innovation Performance Management: Track innovation health and translate learnings into future programs.
• Demand Forecasting & RGM: Translate market trends into reliable demand signals and launch forecasts.
• Delivering Results: Drive volume, share, and profit while managing marketing budgets.

Skills

CPG marketing

Innovation

Go-to-Market

Data-driven

Strategic problem solving

Cross-functional leadership

Influence without authority

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor's in business or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Analytics tools

Job description

Job Description

Are you ready to shape the future of our categories and drive high-impact growth for some of the world's most iconic brands? As the Senior Manager, Strategic Demand Leadership (SDL) - Innovation, you will sit at the dynamic intersection of commercial strategy, customer collaboration, and marketplace execution. Managing a portfolio scope of up to $800M NSV, you will serve as the strategic bridge between R&D, Innovation Marketing, Revenue Growth Management, and Sales-turning bold product concepts into commercially viable, market-leading launches. In this high-visibility role, you will champion the voice of the customer and shopper across omni-channel environments, crafting winning go-to-market strategies that drive trial, expand distribution, and secure sustainable profitability. If you are a collaborative leader with a consultant mindset who thrives on moving seamlessly between high-level vision and tactical execution, this role offers an exceptional platform to make a lasting commercial impact.

What are we looking for?

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in CPG marketing, innovation, commercial strategy, category management, or demand planning.
• Commercialization Leadership: Proven track record leading the commercialization and launch of new products within a fast-paced CPG environment.
• Go-to-Market Expertise: Deep understanding of innovation pipelines, customer activation, and omni-channel commercial execution.
• Strategic Problem Solving: Consultant-style analytical toolkit with strong structured problem-solving skills and agility across strategy and execution.
• Customer & Shopper Strategy: Demonstrated experience building customer-centric growth plans, AMPS strategies, and promotional plans.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Proven ability to influence, align, and lead multi-disciplinary teams without direct authority, backed by exceptional presentation and communication skills.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong acumen in analyzing market performance metrics (velocity, distribution, trial/repeat) to extract actionable insights.
• Nice-to-Have: Working knowledge of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and Strategic Revenue Management (SRM) / Revenue Growth Management principles.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Innovation Strategy & Development: Partner closely with Innovation Marketing, Consumer Insights, and R&D to identify consumer needs, whitespace opportunities, and category trends, shaping pipelines and commercialization strategies that deliver meaningful growth.
• Innovation Launch Excellence: Develop and execute omni-channel launch strategies that maximize awareness, trial, and sustainable adoption, ensuring selling stories and launch tactics are optimized across key customers.
• Sales Plan Execution: Drive the annual sales strategy to deliver net sales and operating profit goals, proactively identifying risks and opportunities across go-to-market channels to balance the business.
• Channel & Customer Leadership: Own the AMPS strategy (Availability, Merchandising, Pricing, Space), serving as the voice of the customer to co-create pack and channel solutions with cross-functional partners.
• Trend & Competitive Intelligence: Maintain continuous intelligence on industry trends, shopper behaviors, and competitor actions to ensure innovation pipelines remain differentiated and commercially relevant.
• Innovation Performance Management: Track and evaluate innovation health throughout the lifecycle (sales, velocity, distribution, repeat, financial ROI) and translate post-launch learnings into future programs.
• Demand Forecasting & RGM: Collaborate with Sales, Demand Planning, and Finance to translate market trends into reliable demand signals and accurate launch forecasts.
• Delivering Results: Drive volume, share, and profit results that contribute to divisional financial targets while managing marketing budgets to ensure expected return on investment.

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.

Salary and Benefits

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 134,400.00 - USD 184,800.00