Ice Cream Operations Manager

Job Description:

The Sales Operations Manager – US Ice Cream is a critical leadership role responsible for enabling strong operational control, rigor, and execution across the US Ice Cream business. This role owns key business processes—including the Demand Management Review (DMR/Step 2), the Donate & Destroy (D&D) shape, and the annual "Lift Off" planning process. By acting as the guardian of the demand forecast and managing critical sales enablement systems, the Sales Operations Manager ensures that strategic sales priorities are translated into seamless operational execution while driving accountability and continuous improvement.

What are we looking for?

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Analytics, or a related field.

• Experience: 5+ years of progressive professional experience in Sales Operations, Demand Planning, Finance, or Analytics (preferably within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry).

• Technical Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in Forecasting and Trade Management systems (e.g., Salesforce, BlueYonder, or equivalent). Expert-level command of Microsoft Excel and Power BI for advanced data modeling, visualization, and reporting.

• Skills: Strong Business Acumen: Ability to connect sales, financial, and supply chain metrics to broader business strategies. Strong Analytical Skills: Capability to translate complex datasets into actionable insights and high-quality, assumptions-based forecasting models. Strong Project Management Skills: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage multiple high-stakes timelines, and drive annual planning cycles.

What would be your key responsibilities?

1. DMR / Step 2 Management & Operational Control

• Own the entirety of the Demand Management Review (DMR/Step 2) process, including coordinating feeder meetings, ensuring high quality of materials, driving decision-making, and holding the business accountable for results.

• Collaborate closely with the Sr. Sales Director and Strategic Demand Director to ensure their strategic priorities are fully reflected through Step 2.

• Lead the continuous improvement of the DMR process by driving and actioning an annual quality audit.

• 2. Guardianship of the Demand Forecast

  • Partner closely with sales associates and regional demand planners to support the creation of an accurate, comprehensive total US Ice Cream demand plan.

  • Leverage business networks, institutional knowledge, industry experience, and advanced analytical capability to generate a high-quality, assumptions-based demand forecast.

  • Constructively challenge team members, Sales Directors, and Strategic Demand to ensure key forecast KPIs (such as forecast accuracy) are met.

• 3. Delivery of Donate & Destroy (D&D) Shape

  • Lead and optimize the Donate & Destroy process for Mars Ice Cream to minimize waste and optimize inventory health.

  • Facilitate and own monthly D&D meetings with Mars Snacking sales operations, demand planning, and Mars Ice Cream sales associates.

  • Proactively manage aged and slow-moving products in tight collaboration with supply and demand planning to minimize overall D&D risk.

• 4. Sales Systems & Process Enablement

  • Ensure key daily sales systems and portals are running and performing optimally.

  • Partner with supporting technical functions (such as Digital Technologies (DT), Mars Global Services (MGS), and MW Systems support teams) to troubleshoot and sustain system functionality.

  • Own the management of the Sales Portal, ensuring all critical processes are clearly documented, and roles and responsibilities are well-defined.

• 5. Annual Plan Process Leadership (Lift Off)

  • Oversee and execute the annual planning process ("Lift Off"), ensuring complete alignment with Mars Snacking corporate timelines.

  • Lead annual template creation, system readiness and load, reporting, and full facilitation of the Lift Off meetings, concluding with an After-Action Review (AAR) to drive continuous learning.

  • Articulate clear risks and opportunities, ensuring investment decisions are finalized within one financial period.

  • Champion cross-functional team readiness, establishing clear timelines for key planning assumptions across trade, shopper marketing, and growth targets.

• 6. Sales & Customer Execution Support

  • Support Sales Operations Analyst and serve as the primary point of contact with third-party vendors managing samples and freezer assets.

  • Establish and govern a clear, efficient ordering process for the sales organization.

  • Support freezer procurement, storage, shipping logistics, and trade show readiness via sample and marketing material delivery.

  • Rigorously monitor operational budgets across samples and freezers, ensuring spend remains within limits and proactively escalating potential overspends to the Sales Director.

  • Actively identify value leadership and cost-saving opportunities across execution touchpoints.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 170,000 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.

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.