Job Description

Affiliate Project Manager at Mars, Incorporated

Position Summary
The Affiliate Project Manager has overall responsibility for facilitating the planning and execution of transition and launch projects in terms of development, launch execution, and post launch evaluation for International Mars business units also known as Affiliates. This role manages projects from ideation through post launch analysis and acts as both the face of Mars Petcare US to the Affiliate business units and the face of the Affiliate to Mars Petcare US.

Primary Responsibilities

• Effectively manage multiple projects at different stages of the lifecycle.

• Directly and frequently communicate with international Mars business units regarding project timing, status, and risks, serving as the single point of contact (SPOC) between Affiliates and the Mars Petcare US.

• Coordinate with local Affiliate Marketing and Project/Activity Management to facilitate the creation of project charters with clear scopes and feasible execution timing.

• Manage the creation, presentation, and approval process of affiliate project charters and gate documents with cross-functional activity teams and business leaders via the S&OP+ process. Collaborate heavily with US Project Management team and other groups.

• Develop project timelines, identify key decision points, and ensure successful project execution from charter approval to first shipment.

• Conduct risk assessments and provide updates that ensure activity team alignment for project objectives and critical success factors.

• Lead, both formally and informally, cross-functional project teams to execute both Affiliate-specific projects and manage Affiliate implications associated with US-driven projects.  Deliver against project CSFs (Critical Success Factors).

• Conduct timely post launch assessments and ensure key learnings are shared and implemented for future projects.

• Portfolio expert for US Affiliate team for an assigned set of brands &/or technologies.  Mutually represents US & Affiliate interests during supply shortages and other constraints.  

• Full compliance with QuEST activity process including usage of PPM system, where applicable.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

• 3 years professional experience, including 1 year Project Management experience or related work

• Flexibility to participate in limited evening or early morning meetings

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.  Must be able to work Flexible hours.  Calls with international Affiliates are often before or after normal business hours.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Project Management tools.  Knowledge of ERP Systems (SAP).

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA

• 5 years professional experience, including 2 years Project Management experience or related work (preferably in the CPG industry)

• Experience across multiple business functions (i.e. Supply Chain, Marketing, Planning)

• Understanding of Supply Chain strategies and constraints

• Understanding of how to bring new products to market, globally

• International business experience

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 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.

About Mars:

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 130,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.