A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there’s more to being in business than just making a profit. That’s the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet.  What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it’s never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It’s about how you can grab everything that’s within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It’s about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we’ll all be a little better off. It’s that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

About Mars, Incorporated 

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, 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 its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

 

Category Leadership Manager - Grocery Wholesalers

Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Kansas City or Chicago

The Category Leadership Manager for our Grocery wholesalers (SuperValu, SpartanNash, AWG) and regional Grocery “downstream” retailers is responsible for providing fact-based, insight-led, and actionable category solutions to drive growth for the category, customer, and company.   This category thought-leader will translate consumer and data trends into value-creating business solutions regarding category assortment, merchandising, shelving, pricing and promotion for the Everyday & Seasonal Candy businesses.  Close collaboration with both internal and external partners will be critical to success within this role. 

 

This is a customer-facing, home office-based position located in either one of the following markets: Minneapolis, Grand Rapids, Kansas City or Chicago. Close collaboration and strong communication within the broader Grocery Category Leadership and cross-functional teams will be critical to success in this role.   

 

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree 
• 5+ years of CPG Account and/or Category Management 
• 2 years of business analytics leveraging syndicated data resources (i.e. IRI, AC Nielsen, Scan, Panel, Spectra, etc.) 
• Highly proficient in MS Office applications (i.e. Excel & PowerPoint) 
• Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time 
• Successful completion of drug screen, motor vehicle and background check 
• Experience working with Wholesaler business partners 
• Experience managing and visualizing data using cutting edge tools (i.e. MS Power BI, Tableau)

Key Responsibilities:

As the Lead Mars Wrigley Category Contact for our Grocery wholesalers, this associate will: 

• Create, plan, and execute category leadership solutions for the Everyday and Seasonal Confectionery Category which will deliver profitable sales growth at our Grocery wholesalers and their downstream retailers. 
• Develop the knowledge and skills to consistently provide quality category support including: 
  • Category assortment, merchandising, shelving, pricing, and promotional performance & recommendations 
  • Planogram analysis and development 
  • Competitive market analysis 
  • Ad hoc and ongoing data management, reporting, and the creation of analytical tools 
  • Lead the development of actionable category presentations utilizing storytelling    
  • Best practice sharing and partnership with our 3P broker Category partners 
• Leverage insights and resources through the utilization of a broad range of data sources, market research findings, tools, analyses, and technology; clearly articulating growth strategies and providing guidance to your customers toward quality category decisions. 
• Collaborate closely with Mars Wrigley sales and cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring clear communication and alignment on category and customer plans. 
• Develop positive, cross-functional relationships with key customer stakeholders; building the trust and credibility which will earn Mars Wrigley a continuous “seat at the table” for any significant decisions regarding our categories at our wholesale customers and their top downstream retailers. 
• Partner closely with the Mars Wrigley Category Strategy team to leverage and activate agreed upon internal category initiatives, including "Perfect Store" execution and other success measures, with detailed follow-through 
• Partner in building creative strategies to mitigate category risk as retailer category selling spaces continue to evolve and the shoppers continue to migrate to digital purchasing.  

What can you expect from Mars? 

• The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career. 
• An industry competitive compensation package including generous benefits (i.e. 401k, health, etc.)    
• Commitment to our Purpose and our Five Principles. 
• An environment where all Associates feel valued, supported and comfortable being themselves at work.
• The opportunity to work cross functionally, add value and impact a better world for generations to come. 

 

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.