Flexa
Discover companiesFind a jobResourcesSign in/up
For employers
Flex spring

Join the mailing list

Get the latest insights and expert guidance on job hunting, career progression, and creating thriving workplaces.

Enter your email
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Info for employers
  • Join Flexa
  • Legal
  • Live feed
  • Resources
  • Sign in/up
  • The Flexa awards
Flexa
< Back to search
Mars

Sr Director, CatMan + Exman - Accelerator

Salary:  $153,600 – $211,200 per annum
Location:  USA-Illinois-Chicago | United States of America
Location flexibility:  1 office day / week, 2 office days / week, 3 office days / week, 4 office days / week
Hey there, we’re really sorry but this job is no longer available. Please take a look at our other roles, and check back again soon as we’re adding new roles all the time!

Mars

Senior Sourcing Manager External Manufacturing

$134,400 – $184,800 per annum

Chicago, US

#1 MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY COMPANY

Mars

Sourcing Manager - Flavors & Colors, Gum Ingredients, Essentials

$108,160 – $148,720 per annum

Chicago, US | United States of America

#1 MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY COMPANY

Mars

Sr. Strategic Sourcing Manager, Category Partnerships

$134,400 – $184,800 per annum

Chicago, US

#1 MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY COMPANY

Mars

Senior Manager, Data & Technology Business Partner – Category Management

$119,040 – $163,680 per annum

Chicago, US

#1 MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY COMPANY

Mars

Sr. Sourcing Specialist, Grains

Franklin, US

#1 MOST FAMILY FRIENDLY COMPANY

Job Description

Job Description:

Sr Director, Category Management & External Manufacturing

Location: Chicago, IL

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what’s next for Snacking. It’s home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE’S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations. We’re looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. If this inspires and energizes you, you’ve found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world!

As the Senior Director of Category Management & External Manufacturing, you will provide the strategic leadership for all commercial sourcing, external manufacturing, and supplier partnership activities across the Accelerator Division. This is a business-critical role where you will be responsible for a significant portfolio of external manufacturing and division-specific spend, shaping division strategy and influencing enterprise-wide procurement priorities. You will be the architect of value creation, the driver of supply chain resiliency, and the enabler of growth and innovation for some of the most exciting brands in the snacking industry. Leading through a combination of direct team mentorship, matrix influence, and executive stakeholder engagement, you will be accountable for delivering sourcing excellence and strengthening our competitive advantage.

What are we looking for?

  • A Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
  • 12+ years of progressive procurement, sourcing, or commercial leadership experience, with a deep understanding of managing complex categories and supplier relationships.
Apply
  • 5+ years of proven people leadership experience, with a passion for leading managers and developing high-performing, engaged teams.
  • Demonstrated success developing and executing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable value through cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier-led innovation.
  • Extensive experience leading complex commercial negotiations and managing strategic supplier and contract manufacturing relationships.
  • Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed global organization.
  • Strong analytical and financial acumen, with expertise in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), should-cost analysis, and value creation methodologies.
  • (Nice-to-have) Direct experience leading complex external manufacturing networks and large-scale procurement transformation initiatives.
  • What will be your key responsibilities?

    • Lead and evolve the regional sourcing organization, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all Source-to-Contract activities across our External Manufacturing network.
    • Define and execute regional sourcing strategies for External Manufacturing, Co-Packing, and selected raw material categories to deliver sustainable value, supply continuity, and cost competitiveness.
    • Serve as a senior procurement leader and trusted business partner, building alignment with executive stakeholders on sourcing strategies and key investment decisions.
    • Drive complex commercial negotiations and supplier strategies that enhance our competitiveness, innovation, resilience, and overall enterprise value.
    • Champion talent development by providing matrix leadership, coaching, and strategic direction to a globally-based, high-performing sourcing community.
    • Establish clear performance expectations and governance processes for suppliers, holding partners accountable for delivery against KPIs and business commitments.
    • Lead cross-functional collaboration with Quality, Manufacturing, Planning, R&D, and Finance to align sourcing strategies with business requirements and network needs.
    • Represent the Accelerator Division in enterprise governance forums and strategic supplier reviews, ensuring our divisional priorities are integrated into enterprise sourcing strategies.

    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.
    • 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.

    #Marsjobs

    #LI-LD1

    #LI-Onsite

    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 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00

    Working at Mars

    Hybrid

    Core hours 11–3

    Company employees:

    4,000 In the UK

    Gender diversity (m:f):

    57:43

    Hiring in countries

    Argentina

    Australia

    Austria

    Belgium

    Brazil

    Canada

    Chile

    China

    Czechia

    Denmark

    Egypt

    France

    Germany

    Greece

    Guatemala

    Hungary

    Office Locations

    Company benefits

    Open to part-time employees
    Open to job sharing
    Open to compressed hours
    Sabbaticals
    Enhanced maternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
    Enhanced paternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
    24 days annual leave + bank holidays
    “Pawternity” leave
    Pregnancy loss leave
    Bank holiday swaps
    Shared parental leave
    Adoption leave
    Family health insurance
    Pregnancy support
    Neonatal leave
    Faith rooms
    Meditation space
    Dog friendly office
    Dog friendly co-working space
    Annual bonus
    Employee discounts
    Cinema discounts
    Referral bonus
    Joining bonus
    Cycle to work scheme
    Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
    Enhanced pension match/contribution
    Theme park discounts
    Lunch and learns
    In house training
    Learning license
    Studying sabbaticals
    Open to part time work for some roles
    Menopause support
    On-site gym
    On-site barista
    Secure on-site parking
    On-site catering
    Private booths
    On-site wellness room
    Collaboration spaces

    Awards & Accreditations

    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    Flexa awards 2026
    3rd - Best Workplace Benefits

    3rd - Best Workplace Benefits

    Flexa awards 2026
    Most loved - Large companies

    Top 5 - Most loved - Large companies

    Flexa awards 2026
    Best Work-Life Balance

    Top 10 - Best Work-Life Balance

    Flexa awards 2026
    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    Flexa awards 2025
    2nd – Pet Friendly

    2nd – Pet Friendly

    Flexa awards 2025
    Most Flexible Company

    Top 5 - Most Flexible Company

    Flexa awards 2025
    Most Inclusive Company

    Top 5 - Most Inclusive Company

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Work-Life Balance

    Top 10 - Best Work-Life Balance

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Career Progression

    Top 10 - Best Career Progression

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Workplace Culture

    Best Workplace Culture

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Workplace Benefits

    Best Workplace Benefits

    Flexa awards 2025
    1st – Large companies

    1st – Large companies

    Flexa100 2024
    Consumer Goods

    Consumer Goods

    Industry awards 2023
    3rd – Large companies

    3rd – Large companies

    Flexa100 2023
    Retail & Ecommerce

    Retail & Ecommerce

    Industry awards 2022

    India

    Ireland

    Japan

    Kazakhstan

    Kenya

    Lithuania

    Malaysia

    Mexico

    Netherlands

    New Zealand

    Poland

    Romania

    Russia

    Saudi Arabia

    Slovakia

    South Africa

    South Korea

    Spain

    Switzerland

    Thailand

    Türkiye

    Ukraine

    United Kingdom

    United States