Job Description:Freedom to Operate Program Manager, Non-FD&C Color TransitionThe Freedom to Operate Program Manager will lead a critical, time-sensitive business transformation initiative focused on transitioning the North America confectionery portfolio to Non-FD&C colors. This enterprise-wide program supports evolving consumer expectations, emerging regulatory requirements, and long-term brand continuity across a complex manufacturing and supply network.
This role is accountable for end-to-end program leadership, including strategy deployment, integrated planning, governance, stakeholder alignment, risk management, capital oversight, and execution discipline. The successful candidate will lead Activity Managers and coordinate cross-functional teams across R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Commercial, and external manufacturing partners to deliver the program on time, on budget, and with minimal business disruption.
What Are We Looking For?- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Food Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in program management, transformation leadership, supply chain, operations, or related discipline, preferably within CPG, food, manufacturing, or a similarly complex industry.
- Proven track record leading large-scale, cross-functional business transformation programs with significant operational, technical, financial, and commercial dependencies.
- Experience managing complex capital programs, ideally greater than $100M, including investment governance, budget oversight, resource allocation, and executive-level reporting.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and align senior stakeholders, including executive leadership teams, in highly matrixed environments.
- Experience leading change management routines and organizational readiness efforts; familiarity with CALM or similar change management methodologies is highly desirable.
- Exceptional program leadership skills, with the ability to translate strategic priorities into clear execution plans, milestones, governance routines, and measurable outcomes.
- Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex information, frame decisions, and provide concise, action-oriented updates.
- High degree of financial and business acumen, with the ability to manage trade-offs across cost, timing, risk, capacity, compliance, and business continuity.
- Strong problem-solving and risk management capability, with a proactive approach to identifying obstacles, developing mitigation plans, and driving resolution.
- Ability to lead through ambiguity, influence without direct authority, and maintain momentum in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to engage, inspire, and hold cross-functional teams accountable for delivery.
What Will Be Your Job Responsibilities?- Lead end-to-end program execution - Own the integrated plan for the Non-FD&C color transition, ensuring workstreams, milestones, dependencies, resources, and decision points are clearly defined and actively managed.
- Drive enterprise governance and leadership alignment - Establish disciplined governance routines, executive updates, decision forums, escalation paths, and reporting mechanisms that provide NALT and senior leaders with clear visibility to progress, risks, trade-offs, and required decisions.
- Manage cross-functional delivery - Coordinate and influence teams across R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Commercial, Quality, Regulatory, Procurement, and external manufacturing partners to ensure aligned execution across all impacted channels, sites, and production lines.
- Lead and develop Activity Managers - Provide direction, coaching, and prioritization support to Activity Managers, building a high-accountability team focused on ownership, collaboration, issue resolution, and consistent delivery of program outcomes.
- Oversee capital investment and resource allocation - Manage the capital budget with disciplined financial oversight, ensuring investments are prioritized, resources are deployed effectively, and delivery remains aligned to budget, timeline, and business continuity requirements.
- Proactively manage risk and contingency planning - Identify, assess, and mitigate execution, regulatory, supply, financial, and operational risks tied to the 6-month timeline and transition to a new global color supply chain; develop clear contingency plans for high-impact risks.
- Enable organizational readiness and change adoption - Lead CALM forums and change management routines to ensure impacted teams understand expectations, adopt new ways of working, and are prepared to execute required changes with clarity and confidence.
- Remove barriers and accelerate decisions - Anticipate constraints, resolve issues quickly, simplify ways of working, and escalate critical decisions with urgency to maintain momentum against program milestones.
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.
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 119,040.00 - USD 163,680.00
