Strategic External Manufacturing Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Mars Snacking Accelerator in the United States is seeking a Senior Manager of External Manufacturing, Divisional Supply, to lead the external manufacturing network for flagship brands such as Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Rice Krispies Treats, and MorningStar Farms. You will set the network strategy, drive governance, and build strong supplier relationships to deliver world-class performance.

You will partner across Operations, Quality, R&D and Finance, balancing strategic vision with operational rigor to

Qualifications

• The Strategic Network Architect: Proven track record of designing, scaling, or transforming complex external manufacturing networks.
• Master of Strategic Partnerships: Ability to be a true "partner of choice," cultivating deep supplier relationships while holding partners rigorously accountable to performance and SLAs.
• Business & Financial Acumen: Strong commercial mindset with experience evaluating network economics, building robust business cases, and making data-backed decisions.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Proven success driving alignment across matrixed organizations with diverse brand cultures and operating cadences.

Responsibilities

• Lead External Manufacturing Strategy: Develop, own, and govern the divisional External Manufacturing strategy, optimizing network design to support growth, resilience, service, and cost objectives.
• Executive Supplier Relationship Management: Lead senior relationships with co-man partners, standardize ways of working across BUs, and drive continuous improvement.
• Network Transformation & Standardization: Identify network optimization opportunities, build business cases for change, and implement standardized operating frameworks across the division.
• Capacity & Long-Range Planning: Partner with IBP and AOP planning teams to translate demand into external capacity requirements.
• Commercial & Contractual Alignment: Collaborate with Commercial/Procurement on contract renewal strategies, negotiations, and risk mitigation.
• Matrix Leadership: Lead cross-functional stakeholders across Operations, Quality, R&D, and Finance without direct line authority.

Job description

Mars Snacking Accelerator in the United States is seeking a Senior Manager of External Manufacturing, Divisional Supply, to lead the external manufacturing network for flagship brands such as Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Rice Krispies Treats, and MorningStar Farms. You will set the network strategy, drive governance, and build strong supplier relationships to deliver world-class performance.

You will partner across Operations, Quality, R&D and Finance, balancing strategic vision with operational rigor to