Mars Inc

Director, Accelerator Innovation and Emerging Tech Lead

Mars Inc$153K — $211K *
Consumer Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or equivalent; Master's degree or specialized AI certification is a plus.
  • 8+ years of hands-on experience in Analytics, Automation, and AI/ML with a focus on enterprise AI deployments.
  • Experience with modern data platforms (like Databricks, Azure ML, or AWS SageMaker) and MLOps practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and govern agentic AI systems, including orchestration and tool integration.
  • Fluency in data product design and modeling, encompassing both structured and unstructured data assets.
  • Excellent executive communication skills for presenting technical concepts in business contexts.
  • Strong business acumen to evaluate technologies based on value and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

  • Build and manage a pipeline of emerging technology use cases to assess business impact.
  • Lead technology assessments and pilots, defining success criteria for go/no-go decisions.
  • Develop trusted relationships across various functions to influence innovation priorities.
  • Advocate for innovation in cross-functional settings, presenting use cases and roadmaps to leaders.
  • Offer expert guidance on AI/ML platforms and automation in collaboration with architects and engineers.
  • Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to keep a forward-looking perspective.
  • Create a knowledge base and mentor colleagues on AI and automation.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work with diverse and talented Associates guided by core principles.
  • Be part of a purpose-driven company focused on building a better future.
  • Access to extensive learning and development resources, including Mars University.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and 401k options.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Are you ready to sit at the absolute frontier of technology and business transformation? Reporting directly to the Chief Digital Information Officer, you will serve as the visionary spark and primary voice for technology innovation at KIND and Mars Snacking. In this high-impact role, you will turn advanced capabilities-such as AI/ML, agentic systems, and digital twins-into sequenced, practical roadmaps, leading hands-on pilots and shaping our overall digital strategy. Your influence will stem from your peerless domain knowledge, your ability to build trust across diverse teams, and your knack for translating complex technical opportunities into massive business value for Supply Chain, Demand, Growth, and Finance.

As a deep subject matter expert and key individual contributor, you will bridge the gap between emerging technology and real commercial outcomes. You will help set the vision and establish best-practice guidelines that align with our digital strategy, working closely with DT Business Relationship Managers and business leads. If you are an entrepreneurial builder who thrives on autonomy, loves mentoring others, and wants to shape how a global leader snacks smarter, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

What are we looking for?
  • Educational Foundation: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or equivalent (Master's degree or specialized postgraduate AI certification is a distinct advantage).
  • Proven Experience: 8+ years of progressive, hands-on experience in Analytics, Automation, and AI/ML, with demonstrable architectural depth and a primary focus on modern enterprise AI deployments.
  • Modern AI Platforms: Direct, hands-on experience developing, deploying, and governing models within modern enterprise data platforms (such as Databricks, Azure ML, or AWS SageMaker), including robust MLOps practices.
  • Agentic Systems: Proven experience building and governing agentic AI systems covering orchestration, tool integration, permission scoping, and escalation design.
  • Automation Tooling: Practical judgment to match the right tool to the business context, paired with working knowledge of RPA, Process Mining, and Low-Code/No-Code platforms.
  • Data Architecture: Fluency in data product design, data modeling, Lakehouse architectures, and enterprise governance frameworks (such as Unity Catalog or equivalent) spanning both structured and unstructured AI assets.
  • Executive Communication: Outstanding executive-level communication skills, with the ability to distill complex architectural decisions into a crisp business case, ROI projection, or strategic investment recommendation.
  • Commercial Instinct: Strong business mindset to evaluate emerging technologies through the rigorous lens of value, operational efficiency, and risk mitigation, rather than a purely technical perspective.
  • Nice-to-Have (CPG Domain): Deep familiarity with CPG or manufacturing business processes, specifically in Plan-to-Deliver (Supply Chain), Order-to-Cash/Trade (Commercial), and Record-to-Report (Finance) domains.
  • Nice-to-Have (Functional Translation): Exceptional capability to engage credibly across disparate business functions by translating complex technical concepts into commercial value for planners, sales leads, finance partners, and data scientists alike.
  • Nice-to-Have (Thought Leadership): Proven track record of shaping organizational priorities as an individual contributor through thought leadership, peer relationships, and evidence-based advocacy.
  • Hungry & Kind Values: Entrepreneurial spirit, ownership mindset, and a genuine desire to make the world a kinder place-committing to always spreading and celebrating kindness.

What will be your key responsibilities?
  • Innovation Scouting & Prioritization: Build and manage a prioritized pipeline of emerging technology use cases, evaluating each against business impact and technical feasibility.
  • Assessments & Proofs of Concept: Lead structured technology assessments and pilots, defining success criteria and delivering evidence-based go/no-go recommendations.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build trusted peer relationships across Digital Technologies, Commercial, Growth, Supply Chain, and Finance to influence priorities through expertise and results.
  • Innovation Advocacy: Represent the innovation agenda in cross-functional forums, presenting clear use cases, pilots, and roadmaps to senior business and IT leaders.
  • Platform & Architecture Guidance: Provide expert guidance on AI/ML platforms, data products, automation, and digital twins in partnership with enterprise architects and data engineers.
  • Trend Monitoring: Monitor emerging tools, academic research, and competitor capabilities to maintain a forward-looking 12-18-month view of technology trends.
  • Capability Building & Mentorship: Create a shared internal knowledge base, lead communities of practice to build AI/ML literacy, and mentor IT colleagues addressing AI and automation challenges.

What can you expect from Mars?
  • 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.
  • Best-in-class 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.


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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 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00

About Mars Inc

Mars, Incorporated is an American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products. It was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Mars operates in six business segments: Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. Some of its most popular brands include M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Skittles, and Pedigree. The company is known for its commitment to sustainability and has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 67% by 2050.
Learn more about Mars Inc
Size
125,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1911

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