Manager - Operational Excellence & Systems

Job Description:

At Mars, for over a century, we’ve been driven by a simple but powerful belief: the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. Guided by our Five Principles—Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom—we are transforming how we operate to build a better world for our people, our pets, and our planet.

We are looking for a Manager, Internal Audit – Operational Excellence & Systems to join our Strategy and Professional Practice group within the Global Internal Audit team. Reporting directly to the Internal Audit Director – Strategy & Professional Practices, you will be the engine behind our department's modern data analytics, operational strategy, and professional practices.

If you are a tech-savvy audit professional who loves building dashboards, optimizing systems (like Optro (previous Auditboard)), and translating complex data into clear insights for senior executives, this is the perfect opportunity to grow your career with us.

What are we looking for?

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience):

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Management Information Systems, Data Analytics, Finance, Accounting or a closely related field
• 7+ years of experience in Information Systems, Data Analytics, Finance, Accounting, Business or related role
• Technical Savvy:
  • BI & Data Visualization: Expert-level skills in building data dashboards.
  • System Administration: Proven experience managing database schemas, workflows, and configurations in enterprise-level software.
  • Data Modeling: Strong understanding of database structures and field mapping to ensure data cleanliness.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Excel (complex formulas, data structures) and PowerPoint (clean slide design for executives).
• Executive Presence: Proven experience interfacing with and presenting data insights to senior or executive leadership.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a knack for translating raw technical data into executive-friendly stories.

• Prior hands-on experience executing or supporting audits, with a willingness to step into field-work and testing activities when business priorities require.
• Travel: Ability to travel 10–20% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills & Experience):

• Optro Expertise: Hands-on experience with Optro (Auditboard) system administration and native reporting is highly advantageous.
• Holding or actively pursuing a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation.
• Ambiguity & Innovation: A proven track record of dealing with ambiguity, demonstrating innovation, and developing strategic agility in a fast-paced environment.
• Project Management: Strong consultative and organizational skills with the ability to maintain composure under pressure and meet rigorous deadlines.

What Will Be Your Key Responsibilities?

In this highly visible, hybrid role, you will balance system administration, strategic reporting, and audit methodology. Your responsibilities are divided into three core pillars:

1. Strategy, Planning & Executive Reporting

• Executive Storytelling: Collaborate with the Director to draft high-impact presentations and reports for the Audit Committee, Board of Directors, and senior management, translating complex audit data into clear, simple business terms.
• Risk Assessment & Audit Planning: Play a key supporting role in executing Mars' annual Global Risk Assessment and coordinating the annual internal audit planning process.
• Strategic Initiatives: Facilitate the rollout of strategic departmental initiatives and coordinate the Internal Audit Leadership Team’s (IALT) annual agenda and meetings.

2. System Administration & Advanced Analytics (Optro)

• System Owner: Serve as the administrator for our global internal audit system, Optro (previously Auditboard). Manage user access, custom fields, workflows, metadata, permissions, and database schemas.
• Dashboard Creation: Design, build, and maintain interactive performance dashboards and business intelligence (BI) reports (using native Optro reporting) to provide real-time tracking of audit observations, remediation testing, and departmental KPIs.
• Data Integrity: Maintain clean database structures, ensuring field updates and data relationships remain consistent across all modules.

3. Professional Practices & Quality Assurance

• Methodology & Standards: Support the global team in driving audit methodology in strict alignment with IIA standards.
• QAIP Management: Drive the implementation and administration of our internal Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) to ensure audit quality and continuous process improvement.
• Agile Audit Support: Actively participate in and support operational, financial, or technology audits on an as-needed basis, helping the broader team during peak periods and maintaining a practical connection to our audit execution workflows.
• Ethics & Fraud Support: Assist in managing the administrative reporting processes for Theft and Fraud investigations.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with 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.
• A strong focus on 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.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 134,400.00 - USD 184,800.00