Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field OR 5+ years of Supply Planning experience.
2-4 years of experience in supply chain, logistics, or operations.
Proven experience with routine inventory reviews and managing end-to-end Purchase Order lifecycles.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate order fulfillment with 3PL providers and customer service teams.
Experience adhering to operational processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Willingness to travel 10-15% to support VAS site locations.
Responsibilities
Direct the end-to-end supply chain lifecycle for promotional products and value-added services.
Perform weekly inventory audits and maintain optimal stock levels to meet customer service benchmarks.
Monitor key supply chain performance metrics to identify bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement.
Collaborate with internal departments and external vendors to ensure flawless order execution.
Champion process compliance while fostering a collaborative team environment.
Benefits
Work with diverse and talented Associates guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose-driven company focused on building a better tomorrow.
Access to best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including Mars University.
Industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
Full Job Description
Job Description:
VAS E2E Supply Chain Lead
Chicago, IL, Hackettstown, NJ, and Battle Creek, MI
You will collaborate with various teams to ensure our promotion events are delivered on time and in full. With your proactive, motivated, and team-oriented attitude, you will be a great fit for our team. This role will interface with Supply Planning and our Value-Added Services (VAS) Co-packing sites to deliver both make-to-order and make-to-forecast items to our customers.
What are we looking for?
Minimum:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a closely related field AND/OR 5+ Supply Planning experience.
2-4 years of experience in supply chain, logistics, or operations
Proven experience conducting routine (weekly) inventory reviews, maintaining safety stock levels, and handling end-to-end Purchase Order (PO) lifecycles.
Demonstrated track record of coordinating order fulfillment with third-party logistics (3PL) providers, manufacturers, and customer service teams.
Experience working within defined operational processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent execution.
Ability to travel 10-15% to the VAS site locations you will be supporting.
Preferred:
5+ years of experience, specifically managing the unique complexities of promotional display mods, shippers, and retail re-packs.
2+ years focusing on promotional products, co-packing, display builds, or seasonal inventory.
Demonstrated capability to identify process bottlenecks, optimize supply chain flows, and implement efficiency-boosting solutions (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies).
Strong background in managing external supplier and manufacturer performance, including tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like On-Time In-Full (OTIF).
Experience utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) and advanced inventory management/forecasting software.
Experience leading cross-functional projects and a proven ability to foster a collaborative, positive, and high-performing team culture.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Direct the end-to-end supply chain lifecycle for promotional products and value-added services, including display modules, shippers, and custom re-packs. Manage purchase orders (POs) and streamline coordination across suppliers, co-manufacturers, customer service, and logistics providers to guarantee on-time, high-quality delivery.
Perform weekly inventory audits and maintain optimal stock levels to consistently meet or exceed customer service benchmarks. Actively manage product and packaging material flows in close collaboration with external manufacturing partners.
Proactively monitor key supply chain performance metrics to identify operational bottlenecks, driving continuous improvement initiatives to optimize efficiency and reduce waste.
Partner closely with internal departments-including Sales, Customer Service, and Operations-as well as external vendors to align workflows and ensure flawless order execution.
Champion process compliance across daily operations while fostering a highly collaborative, positive, and performance-driven team environment.
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.
#LI-Hybrid
#LI-AS2
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 listed is applicable to IL:USD 74,511.00 - USD 102,453.00
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.
