Manager, Category - Seasonings

Mars • Chicago, IL

4d • $108,160 - $148,720 • Onsite

About The Position

The Category Manager for the seasonings portfolio will define and own the long-term global category strategy, translating it into annual sourcing plans for sourcing teams. The role owns global category spend and financial understanding while delivering on cost, cash, resilience, quality, innovation, and sustainability goals. The manager serves as the primary business partner for internal stakeholders and leads strategic relationships with key suppliers to encourage innovation and development. The position also leads cross-functional collaboration and uses market intelligence to identify and lead transformational initiatives that shape the category’s future direction and success.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 5 years of procurement experience.
• Ability and interest in developing strong relationships with supplier and cross-functional stakeholders domestically and internationally.
• Experience driving strategic value across cost/cash, quality, sustainability, resilience, and innovation.
• Deep understanding of business needs and market/category knowledge.
• Ability to develop long-term future-back strategies through cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience with proactive, differentiated supplier relationship management.
• Ability to establish clear metrics and track value.

Responsibilities

• Define and own the long-term global category strategy.
• Translate category strategy into an annual sourcing plan executed by sourcing teams.
• Own global category spend and develop a detailed understanding of category financials.
• Deliver category goals across cost, cash, resilience, quality, innovation, and sustainability.
• Serve as the primary business partner for internal stakeholders.
• Lead strategic relationship management for key suppliers to drive innovation and development.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to realize the potential of supplier partnerships.
• Use market intelligence to identify and lead high-priority, transformational initiatives for the category.

Benefits

• Learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.
• Industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
• Variable pay.
• Medical and dental benefits.
• Participation in a 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager