Manager, Retail Merchandise Creative and Design– M&M's Stores

Mars•Chicago, IL

16h•$79,280 - $109,010•Onsite

About The Position

Mars is seeking a highly creative and strategic Manager, Retail Merchandise Creative and Design to lead the merchandise creative efforts exclusively for M&M's retail channels, including Stores and E-Commerce. This role is central to driving innovative, differentiated, and social media-worthy merchandise that captivate consumers and elevate the M&M's brand experience. As a key member of the Product Development and Merchandising team, you will champion product creativity that not only excites and engages our consumers but also delivers strong sales performance. You will work collaboratively with Visual Merchandising, Digital, Marketing, and Retail Operations teams to ensure a cohesive and impactful brand presence across all touchpoints.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Retail Merchandising, Marketing, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in merchandise creative design or product development within retail or consumer goods, with a proven track record of delivering innovative and commercially successful products.
Deep understanding of merchandise design, product presentation, consumer behavior, and social media trends.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple creative projects simultaneously while collaborating effectively across diverse teams.
Excellent communication, storytelling, and interpersonal skills to inspire and influence internal stakeholders and external partners.
Proficiency in design and product development tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and relevant software.
Passion for the M&M's brand, with a strong eye for detail, creativity, and innovation.
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance creative vision with sales performance objectives.

Responsibilities

Lead the creative development of merchandise concepts, product design elements, and packaging innovations that are bold, innovative, and uniquely M&M's — designed to excite consumers and generate social media buzz.
Drive product creativity that differentiates M&M's in the marketplace, ensuring merchandise is visually compelling, on-trend, and aligned with evolving consumer preferences.
Collaborate closely with Visual Merchandising and Digital teams to ensure merchandise creative strategies translate into cohesive in-store and online brand experiences.
Partner with cross-functional teams including Product Development, Marketing, Retail Operations, and Store Design to integrate merchandise creative initiatives seamlessly across channels.
Manage the end-to-end creative process from ideation through production and implementation, working closely with external vendors and suppliers to deliver high-quality, innovative merchandise.
Utilize consumer insights, sales data, and market trends to inform and refine merchandise creative strategies that maximize both brand impact and commercial success.
Support the Director of Product Development and Merchandising in defining and executing a forward-thinking merchandise creative roadmap that aligns with business goals.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with external creative agencies, vendors, and suppliers to continuously push the boundaries of merchandise innovation.
Ensure all merchandise creative outputs adhere to Mars brand standards, Responsible AI policies (where applicable), and sustainability commitments.
Monitor and evaluate the performance of merchandise creative initiatives, making data-driven recommendations to optimize future product creativity and sales outcomes.