Strategic Demand Director - Ice Cream
Job Description:
Strategic Demand Director
Burr Ridge, IL
The Strategic Demand Director (SDD) is responsible for leading, motivating and setting strategic direction for a cross functional team which provides thought leadership to the Demand functions (Sales). Grounded in the unit’s Category Vision, this role will be responsible for driving a total Ice Cream portfolio approach, developing, and activating customer centric category growth and revenue management strategies which deliver long term sustainable growth.
The SDD will be accountable for building best in class capability in 5 transversal functions; Category Leadership, Customer Marketing, SRM, planning and Operations while driving accelerated growth by partnering across the Demand and supply function to develop and execute strong customer growth plans which improve Mars’ ability to influence retailers.
As a key contributor to the Ice Cream Leadership Team, the SDD will play a critical role in the development and execution of the unit’s overall strategy and results to deliver profitable growth with our customers.
What are we looking for?
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree
Significant (7+ years) and diverse experience across the Demand function and demonstrated ability to develop strong and impactful internal and external relationships and influence customers of all sizes.
Strong track record of developing and executing visions and strategies with the ability to inspire and lead a multi-functional team/ matrix organization to deliver business results consistently.
Ability to navigate complex situations and challenge the status quo with a can do / solution-based attitude. Self-reliant, decisive, resilient and able to respond and adapt to a fast moving, changing environment.
Proven ability to leverage external perspective and insights to develop trend-based strategies which translate into Sales/ Marketing and business results.
People leadership of a multi-functional and large team with demonstrated ability to build capability, develop talent and engage associates.
Commercially and financially astute with sound business judgement and an understanding of the commercial impact of one’s own decision making.
Experience of working in a start-up environment with proven ability to engage, influence and inspire key stakeholders behind new concepts and ways of working.
Ability to travel 5% of the time
Preferred Qualifications:
MBA
Experience within Ice Cream
What would be your key responsibilities?
Grounded in the global category vision, develops, and executes a clear category vision for the unit, ensuring a strong and consistent understanding of the category growth drivers is well embedded as the foundation for our customer centric category & portfolio plans.
Grounded in the local understanding of category, channel, shopper and consumer dynamics, partner with Sales to provide insight led thought leadership to formulate long term growth plans which deliver sustainable Ice Cream category growth, creating competitive advantage for the Mars Ice Cream portfolio.
Develop and execute customer and shopper centric data analysis to drive brand visibility through the “Ready to Plan”, “Ready to Sell” and “Ready to Execute” stages of the Annual Customer Planning Cycle, ensuring excellence .in retail execution. Benchmark this data against the 5-year Ice Cream strategy and track results vs. intentions for the Ice Cream segment.
Contribute to shaping and implementing the units’ business strategy and leading the wider business to success and driving the customer agenda, building strong and sustainable customer relationships which accelerate customer engagement.
Develops and executes the category growth agenda with customers, based on compelling category growth plans that are grounded in the unit’s category vision.
Drives increased trade investment productivity, net price realization and improved mix, optimizing pack-price architecture, program of sale conditions and overall Trade ROI. Aligns to global strategy and focuses on key ‘must win’ channels and customers first.
Leads Pathfinder / Salesforce SME resource group and collaborates with Mars Wrigley to use systems to their fullest potential. This team will be viewed as the knowledge holders for how we communicate with the broader business.
In collaboration with Sales bring to life our category growth and brand plans in store with compelling activation, underpinned by strong consumer, customer, and shopper value proposition.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with over 150,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we are 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-WC1
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 169,840.00 - USD 233,530.00