Sr. Project Manager - Value Leadership

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 101,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the planning and end-to-end execution of multiple Value Leadership projects, steering cross-functional teams to achieve strategic business objectives. You will manage ideation, scoping, timelines and resources while fostering collaboration and problem solving.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of managing a portfolio of complex, high-impact projects from inception to completion.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience with cross-functional projects.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business Administration or Project Management.
• Experience with Microsoft Project for planning and scheduling.
• Knowledge of end-to-end (E2E) processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills; ability to navigate ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Senior Project Manager for Value Leadership, driving execution that directly supports our Value Leadership Targets.
• 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.
• 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 VL Program Manager and VL Project managers to support the development and execution of the projects to support short term and 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 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.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional teams

Stakeholder management

Communication

Ambiguity handling

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Description: As a Senior Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading the planning and end-to-end execution of multiple complex Value Leadership projects simultaneously, steering cross-functional teams throughout the project lifecycle to achieve strategic business objectives and Value Leadership targets. Your responsibilities will include managing project ideation, scoping, timelines, and resources across concurrent initiatives while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages creative problem-solving. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, effectively balancing competing stakeholder priorities, communicating efficiently, and driving team accountability. You must have a proven track record of successfully managing a portfolio of complex, high-impact projects from inception to completion.

What are we looking for? Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Project management with proven track record on managing cross functional projects.
• 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 E2E process.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a CPG environment
• Knowledge and expertise in utilizing PPM to manage project lifecycle.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Serve as the Senior Project manager for Value Leadership, driving execution that directly supports our Value Leadership Targets.
• 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.
• 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 VL Program Manager and VL Project managers to support the development and execution of the projects to support short term and 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 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 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.

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 101,120.00 - USD 139,040.00

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.