Global Packaging Transformation Workstream Lead

Global Packaging Transformation Workstream Lead

Role Purpose

The Global Packaging Transformation Workstream Lead is accountable for defining, delivering, and embedding key strategic shifts across the packaging portfolio, with primary focus on:

• Transitioning Paper packaging to performance-based specifications

• Leading the business case for outsourcing of flexible bag-making operations

• Exploring and establishing upstream buying strategies and models for flexibles & paper

The role is accountable for delivering a validated pipeline of ~$10M in savings across these initiatives, ensuring value is clearly identified, tracked, and realised.

A critical component of the role is ensuring these transformations are aligned cross-segment across Mars Pet Nutrition, Royal Canin and Mars Snacking in Europe and North America, driving harmonisation, scale benefits, and consistency in supplier engagement and operating models.

Key Accountabilities

Workstream Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of global packaging transformation initiatives across Paper and Flexible materials.

• Define strategy in synch with Sourcing managers (seg / OE / Central), scope, roadmap, and success measures for: 

  • Performance-based specification deployment

  • Flexible bag-making outsourcing model

  • Upstream sourcing strategies

• Own and deliver a savings pipeline of ~$10M, with clear milestones, accountability, and tracking mechanisms.

• Ensure cross-segment alignment with Royal Canin & Mars Snacking (EU & NA) to maximise scale, leverage, and standardisation opportunities.

• Manage dependencies, risks, and resources across a complex, multi-segment environment.

Business Capability Ownership

• Own the future-state vision for: 

  • Paper specification governance and performance frameworks

  • Flexible packaging bag making outsourcing and supplier operating models

  • Upstream buying and supplier integration

• Drive common approaches and standards across segments, ensuring alignment where value can be unlocked.

• Ensure capabilities are designed to sustain and expand savings delivery over time.

• Act as the primary business decision-maker for the workstream.

Packaging Strategy Execution

• Drive the shift to performance-based specifications in Paper, unlocking cost optimisation, simplification, and innovation.

• Lead the transition to an outsourced bag-making model for Flexibles, capturing make-to-buy efficiencies and supplier scale.

• Develop and implement upstream buying strategies, leveraging cross-segment scale in Europe and North America.

• Translate all initiatives into quantified financial benefits, feeding into the $10M savings pipeline.

Cross-Functional Delivery Partnership

• Partner with Procurement, R&D, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance teams across Pet Nutrition and Mars Snacking.

• Ensure strong financial governance and validation of savings with Finance.

• Align digital and analytics capabilities to track: 

  • Specification-driven savings

• Supplier cost performance

• End-to-end value delivery

Stakeholder Engagement & Alignment

• Build strong relationships across Pet Nutrition and Mars Snacking leadership teams in EU and NA.

• Act as a key integrator across segments, ensuring alignment on value delivery priorities.

• Drive senior-level alignment on trade-offs between cost, service, resilience, and innovation.

Business Readiness & Adoption

• Ensure successful adoption of new models across both segments and regions.

• Embed cost-conscious decision-making and ownership of savings at all levels.

• Remove barriers to adoption that may impact value delivery.

Value Delivery & Benefits Realisation

• Define, track, and report clear financial benefits, ensuring delivery of the ~$10M savings target.

• Establish robust governance to validate and sustain savings over time.

• Unlock cross-segment synergies and scale advantages.

• Continuously identify additional value opportunities beyond the initial pipeline.

Key Outcomes

Success in this role will be demonstrated by:

• Delivery of a $10M validated savings pipeline

• Successful rollout of performance-based specifications in Paper

• Effective outsourcing of flexible bag-making operations

• Strong upstream sourcing strategies with measurable impact

• High degree of alignment with Mars Snacking in EU and NA

• Sustainable improvements in cost, agility, and supplier performance

What are we looking for?

• Proven knowledge and practical experience with supplier/customer management.

• A passion for driving value for our business by leveraging various sourcing channels.

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.

• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.