Senior Sourcing Manager External Manufacturing

Mars•Chicago, IL

3d•$134,400 - $184,800•Onsite

About The Position

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is seeking a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager, External Manufacturing (EM). This role is responsible for developing and executing regional sourcing and supplier partnership strategies to support Accelerator's growth, innovation, supply resilience, and financial objectives. The position leads sourcing-to-contract activities, drives value creation through strategic external manufacturing relationships, and shapes the future manufacturing network. The role acts as the commercial lead for EM suppliers, ensuring alignment between business strategy, operational requirements, and long-term sourcing objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, Finance, or a related discipline.
8+ years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, operations, or commercial management, with a proven track record of developing and executing sourcing strategies in complex business environments.
Demonstrated success leading complex commercial negotiations, contract execution, and category management initiatives that deliver productivity, cost savings, value creation, and supplier performance improvements.
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain dynamics, supplier economics, and strategic supplier relationship management.
Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority while effectively engaging executive stakeholders and driving alignment across the organization.
Ability to travel approximately 25-30%.

Nice To Haves

MBA, advanced degree, and/or professional certifications (CPSM, CIPS, APICS, or equivalent) preferred.
Experience in External Manufacturing, Contract Manufacturing, Co-Manufacturing, Packaging sourcing, or related manufacturing categories strongly preferred.
FMCG, Food, Beverage, Consumer Products, or Manufacturing industry experience preferred, with strong analytical, communication, project management, and change agility skills.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute multi-year External Manufacturing sourcing strategies that support Accelerator growth, innovation, sustainability, supply resilience, and cost competitiveness.
Lead external manufacturing network strategy, including Make vs. Buy decisions, supplier selection, qualification, capability development, and long-term network optimization.
Deliver productivity, value engineering, and working capital improvements through strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier collaboration, and continuous improvement programs.
Negotiate and manage complex commercial and contract manufacturing agreements, balancing value creation with operational, quality, regulatory, legal, financial, and intellectual property risk management.
Build and lead strategic supplier relationships, including executive business reviews, performance management, innovation partnerships, and issue resolution to drive business outcomes.
Partner with Commercial, R&D, Quality & Food Safety, Planning, Manufacturing, Finance, and Legal teams to enable innovation commercialization, supply continuity, and business growth.
Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and risk factors to provide strategic recommendations, influence senior stakeholder decisions, and ensure a resilient, future-ready external manufacturing supply network.