Job Purpose/Overview

Mars has defined a bold initiative to create the “Finance of Tomorrow”, taking this opportunity to be architects of value creation enabled by agile, digital-centric Finance associates.

Today, our forecasting processes and systems are highly manual, Excel based and very iterative. For this reason, a critical initiative that will enable “Finance of Tomorrow” will be predictive financial solutions, bringing higher degrees of accuracy and greater efficiency by moving to data driven, systems-integrated and automated AI Financial Forecasting.

An AI Financial Forecasting Solution has been designed and developed.  It has been deployed to 10 business units already and we are scaling the solution globally.  We are seeking someone who is digital savvy with sound financial forecasting experience to join the central team as an analyst/subject matter expert and liaison between the business and the central technical team to drive continuous improvement and the rapid global deployment of the AI Forecasting Solution.

Key Responsibilities

Forecasting Process Ownership for a group of approximately 6 – 8  business units.

Monitor the plausibility of the AI Driver Based Machine Forecast providing input for improvement initiatives

Work with the Data Science team to drive the continuous improvement in forecast accuracy

Serves as a liaison between the business units, the Mars digital technology and third-party technical team to translate business needs into new feature / enhancement concept designs and provide feedback and guidance through development.

Testing / quality control in Production Runs, Enhancement Developments and Deployment Waves

AI Financial Forecasting Subject Matter Expert responsible for end user training and capability building  

Context and Scope

Initiates and manages the forecast Production Run Process and validates the machine’s forecast for plausibility before releasing it to the business.  Loads the forecast into the Data Lake for subsequent reporting via the Power BI Forecast Reporting App. 

Works closely with the business and technical team to identify and resolve problems

Strong collaboration with the business units’ forecast owners and the technical team to identify and drive continuous improvements based on business feedback and needs

Provides user training for new forecast owners and organizes expert led education sessions to build knowledge about data science and AI forecasting within the business

Job Specifications/Qualifications

1. Education & Professional Qualification

University degree in Finance, Accounting or related experience

2.  Knowledge/Experience

3+ years related experience

Strong understanding of Financial Forecasting

Business Partnering

Collaboration and Influence in a Matrix organization

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.