Global Process Owner - Product Lifecycle Management

Mars Pet Nutrition (PN) operates in one of the most vibrant categories in the FMCG sector. As we work to transform this exciting category, a new program, Shepherd, has been mobilized by the Mars PN leadership team. Shepherd is focused on the accelerated creation and implementation of a next generation ERP for Pet Nutrition. Much more than a simple “Lift and Shift,” this program will undertake a major process simplification and harmonization scope as we digitally transform our business.

Shepherd is focused primarily on five 'Mega Process' areas: Finance, Source to Pay (procurement and vendor mgmt.), Plan to Fulfill (manufacturing and distribution), Lead to Cash (order processing and payment), and 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.

As part of the Idea to Market scope of Shepherd, a new role has been created to lead the representation of business requirements for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) during the ERP transformation: the PLM Global Process Owner (Pet Nutrition).

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.​

What are we looking for?

• Proven strategy, planning, delivery, governance and people management skills, capability, and experience.
• Customer focused with demonstrated ability to form productive relationships with business leaders, Digital Technologies, and project leaders.
• Proven track record of delivering results in the following areas: Business-led transformations, IT Program management, SAP template build and industrialized deployment.
• Adept at managing large and complex digital transformations in large global $10B+ organizations resulting in high adoption of new tools
• Deep understanding of the end-to-end Product Lifecycle Management process, challenges and value drivers (preferably in a CPG context).
• Thorough understanding of interlinkages and interdependencies of PLM with other business functions including Finance and Supply chain.
• Learning agility and desire to learn new technology and business capabilities.
• Ability to drive organizational change.
• Strong problem analysis, negotiating and influencing skills.
• Executive stakeholder communications experience.
• Proven track record to get things done in a matrixed organization – including the ability to influence without authority.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of distilling complex concepts for a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated proactive and results-oriented approach with a “get things done” mentality
• 10+ years of working in a large-scale tech-enabled business transformation, with at least one full lifecycle ERP transformation in a large $10B+ global organization (preferably in FMCG / consumer products sector)
• Proven success in tech-enabled business transformations with $10B+ global firms

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Lead and define the global process template for Pet Nutrition PLM, harmonizing processes with system capabilities and best practices.
• Be responsible for the delivery of objectives and key results associated with the PLM process to deliver the business value from the transformation.
• Be responsible for building a robust plan for the PLM process transformation and responsible for delivery against agreed plan.
• Effectively manage a team of Subject Matter Experts to ensure achievement of key business objectives.
• Design and implement strategies that effectively manage and optimize Product Lifecycle Management processes.
• Collaborate with R&D and Supply teams across regions to get their input and buy-in on target processes
• Participate in Enterprise design squads for PLM to define the global template of processes and identifying gaps between Pet Nutrition process-specific needs, and global template and standard S4HANA out-of-the-box process.
• For each gap, secure alignment with functional leaders on proposed disposition (e.g., adopt S4H process, adapt S4H to meet genuine high value Pet Nutrition needs), ensuring future design meets the evolving needs of the Pet Nutrition business and maintains industry leadership
• Assess the impact of changes (process, tech, ways of working, data etc.) and work with functional leaders and change management team to shape the change management strategy to secure adoption of future design / ways of working
• Drive change across the impacted organization though engagement with regional leadership team and by identifying and empowering local change champions
• Collaborate with the other GPOs for the Pet Nutrition 'Mega Processes'.
• Be responsible for reporting to the functional leadership and the program business lead on progress and escalate any risks (along with mitigation proposals) to delivery of value on-time and on-cost.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure seamless operations throughout deployment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the PLM process using the latest SAP S/4HANA and SAP PLM tools and systems.

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.