Activity Manager / Business Operations Manager

Burr Ridge, IL

       This resource will work with several cross functional teams as well as Activity management peers to be the central conduit in driving ideas to in market realities. This resource will also need to communicate with the ICLT to communicate barriers and progress to keep the business unit focused on the goals of the seed cell deliverables. 

What are we looking for?

• 3+ years of business experience (either Brand management/ Innovation, Supply Chain or Finance function), including 1 year of Project Management experience or related work
• Proven ability to effectively manage stakeholders at all levels to achieve business objectives
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Project would be an advantage

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead portfolio of broad issues across Activity Management and other critical functions (e.g. annual situational assessment/program management of deliverables for the year) as the champion of the S&OP+ Process. 

• Lead cross-functional teams (Marketing, R/D etc) that enable the development of a consistent, long-term innovation pipeline for MW Ice Cream brands.  

• Partner with project and Item execution manager and team to ensure workflow processes will be executed with quality and accuracy.  This includes Planning Item (item setup), Global Finished Goods, and Pack BOM.  This will pertain to activities that go through QuEST, merchandising, growth, large COGS, and rationalization and item transitions.  

• Lead, manage and govern the Innovation and core new item launch activities to drive on time delivery, manage risk and deliver activities (new products, packs, etc,) over 2-3 year horizon. 

• Research advance options and provide line manager recommendations for full Activity Management team e.g. Global training/capability building with in partnership with sub set of Activity Management. 

• Execute projects brilliantly, with our signature discipline and rigor and deliver on customer expectations with speed, efficiency and quality.  

• Constructively challenge project team to continuously improve Step 1 submissions and strategic alignment to Marketing and Sales Strategies.  

• Coach and challenge cross functional team members to drive effective, efficient, and high-performance behavior in project team meetings to ensure the team operates in an empowered manner consistent with the five principles. 

• Create, implement, and improve Processes and Systems related to how we deliver growth (recommend continuous improvement area on QuEST â€“ new item launch process).  Deliver training, coaching and provide guidance to new cross function team members. 

• Share and collaborate with peer on challenges and learning to apply to future launches 

• Able to work independently and take initiative in any engagement with coaching from line manager 

• Provide updates on in year and future pipelines to Senior stakeholders (ICLT) to ensure pace and quality are met for the entire strategic cycle 

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded 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®, 5â„¢, 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 Hospitalsâ„¢, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCAâ„¢ and Pet Partnersâ„¢. 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.

Disclaimer:
Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.​​​​​​​

Note to Search Firms/Agencies:
Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific.  Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Mars will be deemed the sole property of Mars and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Mars.