Strategic Sourcing Manager, External Manufacturing (Accelerator)

Mars•Chicago, IL

10d•$101,120 - $139,040•Onsite

About The Position

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what’s next for Snacking. It’s home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE’S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS, and RICE KRISPIES TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow, and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations. We’re looking for passionate talent who dare to dream big, agile collaborators who talk straight and decide fast, and driven performers with a growth mindset. We’re proudly part of Mars, while also building something boldly different. If this inspires and energizes you, you’ve found the right place where you can do cool things with fun people for one of the biggest snacking companies in the world! This isn't a simple contract management job; you are the strategic architect of our external manufacturing network. As the Sourcing Manager for External Manufacturing (ExMan), you are the commercial linchpin responsible for leveraging external capabilities to fuel our growth. You will take the lead on critical upcoming projects, specifically shaping the future co-manufacturing network for our high-growth Trü Frü brand. Your mission is to identify new capabilities, negotiate complex deals, and build robust supplier relationships to support our next wave of innovation. If you are a market expert who thrives on building strategies and turning them into reality, this is your opportunity to make a massive impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in business, supply chain management, engineering, or a related field.
5+ years of practical experience in large-scale strategic procurement and/or a directly relevant supply chain discipline.
Category management experience is required.
Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Deep experience in category management and developing sourcing strategies, with a strong preference for experience in external manufacturing.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and structure deals that create long-term value and mitigate risk.
A natural talent for building and managing strong relationships with both internal stakeholders and external supplier partners.
Strong analytical and project management skills with the ability to translate market data and business drivers into a clear, executable strategy.
Working experience in FMCG / Food manufacturing is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

Develop & Implement Sourcing Strategy: Partner with cross-functional teams to develop and execute the external manufacturing sourcing strategy for the Accelerator division, with a key focus on supporting Trü Frü and other BFY brands.
Drive Value & Resilience: Deliver an annual pipeline of >4% in productivity savings and cash initiatives while building a resilient and future-fit supply base.
Negotiate & Manage Contracts: Lead complex contract manufacturing negotiations and put in place robust agreements that drive performance, protect against risk, and secure intellectual property.
Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Cultivate and manage relationships with key external manufacturing partners, acting as the primary escalation point and leading supplier business reviews to drive continuous improvement.
Identify New Capabilities: Actively scout the market to identify new regional suppliers and innovative capabilities that align with our long-term business strategy and new product development pipeline.
Manage Risk: Forecast price volatility and manage supply, service, and quality risks in line with business priorities.