Mars Fishcare is a leader in many of the consumables product segments within the ornamental fish, or aquatics, category in the U.S., U.K., Australian and other markets. 

Sourcing an uninterrupted supply of high quality, competitively priced raws, packs, outsourced finished goods, services and capital equipment is essential to the continued success of consumers, customers and Mars Fishcare.  Success in this role requires effective collaboration across the Mars Commercial network to draw upon best practices, shared supplier opportunities, sustainability innovations, training, knowledge and insights.  This role includes direct responsibility for Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA) and External Manufacturing Quality Management (EMQM).

As a line manager, supply chain leader and member of the business unit’s leadership team, this associate has a critical role to deliver the unit’s business strategy, talent strategy,  and overall financial commitments.

What are we looking for?

Minimum –

• BA/BS in a business related field, with
• 7 years of business experience across strategic purchasing, purchasing operations, quality management and/or supply chain management.

Preferred -

• MBA or advanced supply chain degree; certifications:
• Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM),
• Project Management certification,
• Lean/Six Sigma certification

Minimum -

• Direct experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Navision or others. 
• Demonstrated successful performance in role of similar scope and breadth.
• Proven leadership, change management and project management skills.
• The candidate will also have strong overall computer and systems literacy, solid understanding of market and input cost trends, and the ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Proven communication and influencing skills to effectively present ideas, proposals and action plans, and secure stakeholder alignment.

Preferred -

• Previous People management experience.
• Direct quality management experience.
• Track record of identifying and delivering transformational supply chain cost savings.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Responsible for all strategic and operational aspects of Mars Fishcare’s Commercial and External Supply Chain procurement function.  This includes sourcing and managing all strategic purchases, overseeing all other purchases through her/his team and the management of all external manufacturing and co-packing activities. 
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for our internal operations and external supply partners that result in long-term competitive advantages in value, flexibility and supply assurance of raw materials, packaging, and services including co-packing and co-manufacturing.
• Oversee the fulfillment of externally and internally defined SQA and EMQM quality responsibilities including talent training and development, alignment with relevant Mars standards, prioritization of work, delivery of audit work and effective follow through on gaps (CAPAs) and opportunities (CI).
• Ensure completion of all external manufacturing partner and key strategic supplier audits on an annual basis.
• Create and maintain compliance with Mars MQM and EMQM standards that are relevant and fit for purpose with the Mars Fishcare business unit.
• Develop annual global sourcing plans including cost and working capital savings of at least 4% of spend, vendor and sourcing transformation strategies.  The annual total expenditure is in excess of $15 million.
• Promote supplier development by analyzing performance, delivering feedback, improving quality benchmarks and accelerating continuous improvement initiatives. 
• Be an active, positive leader in the Mars Commercial community.  Leverage Mars Commercial scale, knowledge, training and insights, and relationships to improve the sourcing and acquisition of raw and packaging materials, capital equipment and services.
• Responsible for People Management including: development and retention, continual feedback, coaching direct and indirect reports, and recruitment.
• Member of the Mars Fishcare Global Management Team.  Actively participate in business strategy development, operating discussions and planning.  Provide input to key decisions.

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.