Principal Process Enablement & Operating Model Lead

Mars•Chicago, IL

2d•$169,840 - $233,530

About The Position

This role is a project-based transformation role with a current expected end date of December 31st, 2028. As the Principal Process Enablement & Operating Model Lead, you will serve as the primary catalyst and visionary orchestrator translating our Digital Operating Model into scalable, simplified, and high-impact business processes. Partnering across Mars Snacking, Mars Kellanova, and Global Enabling Functions (Finance, Procurement, Information Security, and P&O), you will navigate organizational complexity to unlock operational clarity and drive enterprise-wide agility. In this pivotal role, you will bring the "art of the possible" to life—identifying high-value opportunities to optimize existing workflows, integrate intelligent automation and AI, and establish robust process governance. You will operate hands-on to build cycle-time baselines and value-stream architecture while mentoring associates and championing continuous improvement, with a clear trajectory to expand your leadership footprint across our global digital ecosystem.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive experience leading business process design, operating model transformation, or continuous improvement within a complex, global matrix organization (CPG / FMCG experience preferred).
Demonstrated mastery in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Value-Stream Mapping, and Business Process Model & Notation (BPMN).
Strong proficiency in modern Product & Platform operating models, Agile delivery frameworks, and digital capability enablement.
Proven track record of influencing senior leadership without direct authority, breaking down organizational silos, and aligning cross-functional teams (Commercial, Finance, Procurement, Risk & Security).
Deep competence in root-cause analysis, establishing process performance baselines, and building executive dashboards to measure cost-avoidance, speed, and quality.
Experience identifying high-impact opportunities for workflow automation, digitization, and practical AI integration across business processes.
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Operations Management, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or relevant industry certifications (Lean Six Sigma Black/Green Belt, BPM, Agile Product Management, or PROSCI Change Management).
Direct experience navigating major enterprise integration, business unit harmonization, or transition management initiatives.

Responsibilities

Translate the Digital Operating Model into highly effective, standardized, and scalable end-to-end processes across Mars Snacking and Kellanova.
Partner directly with critical enabling functions (Finance, Procurement, InfoSec, Risk & Compliance, P&O) to co-create unified operating procedures and eliminate operational bottlenecks.
Facilitate high-impact discovery workshops, executive interviews, and alignment sessions to drive clarity around roles, mutual accountabilities, and decision rights (RAPID framework).
Establish process baselines, cycle-time metrics, and performance dashboards to quantify speed, cost-effectiveness, and productivity savings.
Own and prioritize the enterprise process improvement backlog in tight alignment with strategic Digital Transformation goals.
Coach and upskill process analysts, project team members, and regional "process champions" in Lean methodologies and continuous improvement mindsets.
Develop practical, easily consumable playbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, and learning guides to accelerate change adoption and associate onboarding.
Actively partner with product lines and business units across regions to ensure process improvements deliver measurable, lasting business impact.