Job Description:The
Operations Category Manager is responsible for delivering world-class commercial, operational, and resiliency performance across assigned material categories for Mars Petcare North America. This role connects Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Operations, and suppliers to drive
value leadership, supplier performance management, supplier claims governance, resiliency plans, and OTIF service excellence.
Manages Operational and Transactional aspects related to source to pay process and day to day management of supply base to ensure the efficient and effective execution of the sourcing strategy.
The role strengthens material value streams, ensures supplier accountability, mitigates supply risk, and identifies total cost of ownership (TCO) opportunities. The position supports a pet-friendly, collaborative environment aligned with
natural pet nutrition.KEY RESPONSIBLITIES: Category Strategy Development- Co-develop category strategies with Strategic Sourcing (MSSM) to drive value creation, resilience, and optimized commercial outcomes.
- Embed resiliency strategies into category plans, supplier agreements, and operational processes.
- Identify total cost of ownership (TCO) and cost-to-serve optimization opportunities.
Sourcing & Commercial Execution- Lead commercial execution for assigned categories with a focus on value leadership and TCO optimization.
- Execute cost, service, and working-capital improvement initiatives.
- Manage spot buys and short-term mitigation actions for emerging supply risks.
- Partner with suppliers on continuous improvement and speed-to-market acceleration.
Supplier Performance Management (SPM)- Own and lead the Supplier Performance Management (SPM) framework, including scorecards, KPI governance, business reviews, and corrective action plans.
- Ensure supplier accountability for OTIF, quality, service reliability, and operational standards compliance.
- Partner with Supplier Quality and Operations to resolve recurring supplier performance challenges.
Supplier Risk & Resiliency Management- Supplier Onboarding, Expectations and Compliance through SLAs.
- Lead supplier resiliency planning including risk assessments, capability reviews, and long-term mitigation programs.
- Develop resiliency initiatives such as dual sourcing, safety stock strategies, business continuity planning, and supply vulnerability mapping.
- Identify and mitigate geopolitical, logistics, quality, and capacity risks to prevent service disruptions.
Supply Chain & Value Stream Optimization- Provide accurate forecast visibility to suppliers to support capacity planning and uninterrupted supply.
- Optimize material flows with Planning and Logistics.
- Improve lead times, logistics operations, and pipeline design to support service and working capital goals.
- Track and communicate key performance measures including OTIF, lead-time adherence, inventory health, resiliency KPIs, claims recovery, and cost savings.
Innovation, Quality & Compliance- Ensure supplier readiness for new product launches and alignment with commercialization timelines.
- Drive supplier-enabled innovation and continuous improvement.
- Ensure supplier compliance with Mars procurement, regulatory, trade, and operational standards.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement- Keep internal stakeholders promptly informed of progress and escalations.
- Facilitate collaboration between SQA, MP, R&D and Suppliers
- Engage and collaboration with the other functions (Planning, Q&FS, R&D, etc. are the highest priority) and other segment Commercial Operations teams (RC, Food, MW)
- Bring the best of the outside world, back into the Mars ecosystem and demonstrate how it will add value to Mars.
- Ability to learn from internal and external sources to develop knowledge and know-how and be recognized as the go-to expert.
- Has In depth knowledge in own category.
Job Specifications/Qualifications- Proficient in Power BI, SAP and MRP systems
- Experience in commodity markets and/or materials sourcing
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant business experience in logistics, purchasing, research and development, innovation execution, vendor assurance, or related field.
- Minimum of 3 years experience using SAP or similar ERP software to order and manage inventory.
- Experience in Raw Materials & Packaging materials logistics and/or sourcing.
- Travel Required - up to 20%
Knowledge / Experience- Strong understanding of logistics flows and supply chain operations
- Experience in supplier performance, resiliency programming, and claims processes
- Analytical ability to interpret data and drive value-focused decisions
- Cross-functional leadership and communication skills
- Knowledge of import/export, regulatory processes, and supplier compliance
- Expertise in resolving urgent supply issues and implementing sustainable corrective actions
- Project management capabilities in fast-paced environments
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