Global PMO Director (Finance)

Job Description:

This role is a project-based transformation role and has a current expected end date of '31st December 2026'. As we move closer to '31st December 2026' we will work with you to explore other opportunities for employment within the Mars family of companies. If a suitable alternative role is not available at that time, your employment will end.

Each Mars segment is actively pursuing its own transformation journey, driven by a commitment to future growth and operational excellence.

Our current legacy ERP systems are nearing the end of their lifecycle and are no longer capable of supporting the ambitious growth and operational efficiency goals of our segments. To address this, the Mars Leadership Team (MLT) is sponsoring the Digital Core Transformation initiative. Digital Core: ERP and integrated systems like PLM, Ariba, and CFIN globally and segment edge systems like Kinaxis form the essential backbone of our operations.

Snacking is a crucial category within the FMCG sector and a key segment for Mars Incorporated. As part of this transformation, we are launching the Digital Core Transformation program for the Snacking segment. This program is not just a "Lift and Shift" effort; it represents a comprehensive digital transformation that emphasizes significant process simplification and harmonization to enable accelerated growth and operational excellence in the Snacking category.

Digital Core Transformation is focused primarily on eight mega process areas: Finance, Source to Pay (procurement and vendor mgmt.), Plan to Fulfill (manufacturing and distribution), Lead to Cash (order processing and payment), Governance, Idea to Market (R&D). This transformation requires thought leadership, quality decision making, deep technical know-how, and an ability to navigate complex business challenges while applying a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to each of these mega processes.

This role will (100% of time) focus upon supporting the Snacking Digital Core; will be accountable for leading the Snacking Digital core PMO team and Snacking PMO deliverables. The role requires the ability to propose strategic direction, drive the creation of executive Steer Co content, and direct and influence teams to adhere to established governance ways of working and reporting structures. Additionally, the role involves providing strategic direction, mentorship, and support to drive project success, and driving coordination with other division and segment PMOs and TMO."

What are we looking for?

• This role is brand new and has plenty of scope for the job holder to define the role and establish what a Snacking PMO Lead role is and support the team in defining Digital Core, ensuring deliverables are measured and communicated while supporting transparency to the divisions.
• The nature of the role requires a high degree of collaboration and managing stakeholders across Enterprise, Snacking and Petcare due to the nature of the Transformation.
• This role will require agility to design, develop and adjust based upon the demand. This is an unknown territory as the Snacking S4 ERP program gets established over the coming periods and accelerating in 2025 and beyond. We expect an increase of resources towards 100+ FTEs in Snacking before slowing down when ERP is implemented. The role will include line management responsibilities for overseeing a global PMO team of 10+ members, consisting of both associates and contractors.
• As this is a new role, it is fundamental that the job holder can operate within a dynamic and fast-paced environment where flexibility and agility is required. Close collaboration with Snacking Business Leads, Enterprise Transformation Office, DT and Data will be required daily to enable success.
• The role is global in nature with global stakeholders and will require flexibility to participate in meetings that might frequently occur outside of normal business hours in local time zones. Dynamic environment, requiring flexibility to frequently shift priorities. Ability to process high volumes of information quickly and manage many different aspects will be fundamental while ability to main comfort in an environment of unknown. A key requirement is dealing with ambiguity and maintaining calm while delivering to deadlines.

Knowledge / Experience

• Experience delivering an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution desired or major business-system solution desired.
• Ability to consider upstream and downstream process impacts and implications.
• Exhibits acute business acumen and understanding of organizational issues and challenges.
• Strong data analysis and problem solving skills.
• Versatility and willingness to work with constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Senior Management
• International experience and/or exposure working in other business functions preferred.
• Ability to build trusting relationships and gain respect from executives and well as business and own team members.
• Strategic vendor management and strong delivery In the context of highly complex third-party partner environment, multi-vendor ecosystem
• Must be able to generate, explain, and present detailed schedules, objectives, reports, and other documentation accurately.
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills to a diverse set of audiences.
• Fluency in English is required.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Drive the orchestration of key program activities and prepare key decisions and recommendations for the Snacking business lead and executive team to inform strategic direction and decision-making. This includes driving the creation of executive Steer Co content and ensuring adherence to governance ways of working and reporting structures
• Be accountable for the quality of initiative delivery, including Integrated plan including managing dependencies with BAU and Edge system roadmaps, governance procedures, project management tooling, onboarding process and materials, and other PMO deliverables.
• Support strategic vendor management and governance processes and ensure delivery on the context of highly complex third-party partner environment
• Engage with wider Snacking stakeholders, including divisions, as needed to ensure alignment and support for the transformation program.
• Support Snacking stakeholders to resolve key risks, issues, and dependencies in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure effective communications, including feedback and escalations routes, are established between Snacking workstreams and Enterprise workstreams to drive the alignment and resolution for key risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Manage the day-to-day execution of the transformation program, including overseeing the PMO team and driving program decisions.
• Maintain an integrated view of all Snacking workstreams within the program to ensure alignment and coherence with Enterprise, Food and Pet Care workstreams.
• Own the quality and timeliness of PMO support provided to initiative teams and impacted populations.
• Highlight and resolve PMO issues for management to ensure the smooth progress of the program.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 140,000 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.

#TBDDT

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 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.