Summer 2026 Food & Nutrition, Strategy & Business Development MBA Internship – Chicago, I

Job Description

Job Description:

At Mars, we work together to build a better world for people, pets, and the planet. From being a socially responsible business, to investing in our Associates, we're always looking at how we can make tomorrow brighter.

As an Associate, you are empowered with the freedom and tools to be yourself, to forge your own path, to build relationships across our global community, to discover the right opportunities for you to grow – all with ample support. Here, you have our ongoing commitment to your growth and development as you work across our world-famous brands.

Start your journey at Mars today!

Mars Food & Nutrition, Strategy & Business Development MBA Internship Experience

At Mars Food & Nutrition, you will have the opportunity to help us bring to life our purpose of BETTER FOOD TODAY, A BETTER WORLD TOMORROW while working on projects that architect the future of our business.

The Strategy & Business Development team serves as a catalyst for growth at Mars Food & Nutrition, defining the long-term strategic direction for the segment; leading inorganic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions; partnering hands-on with acquired businesses to accelerate value creation; and shaping new growth platforms for the existing portfolio.

As a Strategy & Business Development Intern, you may work on any of the following areas:

· Supporting the development of the long‑term strategic direction for Mars Food & Nutrition, including portfolio, category, and growth platform priorities

· Contributing to business development efforts through market assessment, strategic rationale development, and diligence analysis

· Working hands‑on with acquired businesses to identify and advance value creation opportunities, including growth strategy, category expansion, and capability building

· Leveraging business insights and analytics to evaluate category attractiveness, assess competitive dynamics, and inform investment and growth decisions

· Preparing executive‑level materials and recommendations for senior leaders across Mars Food & Nutrition and Mars, Incorporated

What we’re looking for:

· Graduate student (MBA or related graduate-level programs) pursuing a degree in General Management, Strategy, Finance, Marketing, or a related field

· Strong analytical skills combined with a strategic mindset and results orientation

· Intellectual curiosity with a passion for food and the consumer products industry

· Preferred qualifications include background in management consulting, general strategy, investment banking, business analytics or consumer insights

· Eligible candidates will intern the summer prior to their final graduation date.

· Open to students legally authorized to work in the U.S., without the need for current or future work status authorization or visa sponsorship for employment.

· Employment is contingent upon successful completion of drug & background screening.

· Eligible candidates will be responsible for personal transportation to and from work site during duration of the internship program.

What can you expect from Mars?

· The Mars Internship Experience is a 10-week summer program providing excellent depth of experience with real business problems and opportunities.

· Best-in-class training and development from Day 1, including a formal mentor, access to our in-house Mars University, and more.

· Ongoing coaching and mentorship to help you succeed and get the most out of your experience.

· A hybrid work model that simultaneously celebrates the benefits of focusing remotely and the connection & co-creation that happens when we work together in-person.

· Some pretty sweet perks including competitive salary & benefits package, fun freebies, and pet-friendly offices.

· Housing and relocation benefits vary on eligibility and location and will be shared with you via your Early Talent Manager.

About Mars, Incorporated

For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating, and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us.

Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of Confectionery, Food, and Petcare products and services, we employ over 140,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’S®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL™, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses, including AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, and VCA™.

We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive. The Mars Compass, inspired by the Economics of Mutuality, is used to measure the company’s progress in service of its purpose; The world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today.

For more information about Mars, please visit mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.