JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Description:

Channel Effectiveness Manager - Club/Value/Drug/Grocery/Walmart/On-the-go

Bentonville, AR & Chicago, IL

Multiple Opportunities

As a Customer Marketing Manager for Mars Snacking, you will be the critical link connecting our Brand Marketing and Sales teams. You’ll champion the "Voice of the Customer" internally and represent the "Voice of the Brands" across top retail accounts. Working within an integrated marketing team, you will co-lead joint business planning, translate shopper insights into actionable commercial strategies, and influence retail partners to accelerate brand growth and market share.

What are we looking for?

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).

• 4–6+ years of progressive commercial experience in Sales Planning, Customer/Channel Development, Category Management, or Key Account Management within Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or FMCG.

• Proven track record of executing channel strategies, commercial playbooks, and joint customer business plans.

• Demonstrated experience working with sales forecasts, demand planning, and gap analysis (e.g., aligning operational forecasts with commercial targets/One Demand plans).

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with a history of partnering with Sales Directors, Customer Marketing, Brand Marketing, and Supply/Demand Planning.

• Proven ability to organize, lead, and facilitate annual channel planning sessions and senior leadership meetings.

• This position requires domestic travel estimated at 10–15% of business time, subject to business needs.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree / MBA in Business, Marketing, or Supply Chain.

• 6–8+ years of CPG/FMCG experience supporting major retail channels (e.g., Mass, Grocery, Pet Specialty, Club, or E-Commerce).

• Proficient with commercial forecasting and ERP systems (such as SAP, Blue Yonder/JDA, Anaplan, Nielsen/IRI, or Power BI).

• Direct experience managing product allocations, supply constraints, and customer service level targets during high-demand or promotional cycles.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Partner with Sales Directors and Customer Development Managers to execute channel strategies, commercial playbooks, and high-impact seasonal/innovation launches.

• Steer the channel-level annual planning framework, provide input into National Playbooks, and facilitate senior leadership planning sessions.

• Represent the channel in forecasting reviews, identifying and resolving gaps between customer demand (One Demand) and supply capabilities.

• Tailor national selling stories, promotional displays, and brand marketing content to align with specific customer and channel needs.

• Collaborate with account teams to establish program targets and optimize product allocations to protect customer service levels.

• Own and orchestrate the upfront stages of commercial programs—collaborating across Brand, Customer Marketing, and Supply Planning to set the foundation for seamless market execution

What can you expect from Mars Snacking?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role.

This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.

#LI-AS2

#LI-Onsite

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00

About Mars:

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $50 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL® and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA™ and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our 150,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.

Commitment to Equal Employer Opportunities:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with applicable law and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected under federal, state, and local laws. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

A Note to Candidates Regarding AI Embracing AI as a vital skill for today and tomorrow, we welcome candidates to use AI to assist with your preparation as you engage with our recruiting process—from helping to perfect your CV/resume to using it to refine your interview skills. While AI can assist you, we expect that your ideas, responses, and demonstration of competencies throughout the recruitment process are authentically your own. We value genuine engagement and want to see the real you shine. At Mars, AI is here to support—not replace—the human connection at the heart of our recruitment process.

Note to Search Firms/Agencies: Mars, Incorporated and its subsidiaries and affiliates (Mars) do not compensate search firms for unsolicited assistance unless they have a written search agreement with Mars and the requisition is position-specific. Any resumes, curriculum vitae, and other unsolicited assistance from search firms that do not have a written search agreement or position-specific requisition submitted to any Associate of Mars will be deemed the sole property of Mars and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Mars.