Shopper Marketing Lead

Mars: Where your Tomorrow Starts Today!

Mars is a family-owned business that has been making products for people and their pets for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, ECLIPSE®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, DOLMIO®, BEN’S ORIGINAL ® MASTERFOODS ® and ROYAL CANIN® ORIJEN® ACANA® we are dedicated to making a positive impact on people and the planet. 

Join us in building a sustainable future where people, communities, and the planet can truly thrive.

Segment: Mars Petcare

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Hours: Full-time, hybrid

Team Size: 4 Direct Reports (including 1 x Graduate)

Reporting to: Marketing Operations & Transformation Director

At Mars Pet Nutrition, we are driven by a common purpose: A Better World for Pets. As a global, family-owned business, we believe that the pets we love make our world a better place, which is why we’re dedicated to building premium brands and experiences that support them at every stage of life.

We are looking for a visionary and technical Shopper Marketing Lead to join our Marketing Operations and Transformation team. In this critical leadership role, you will be the expert voice responsible for bringing our brand strategies to life across Australia and New Zealand's most important physical and digital retail environments.

As a key strategic bridge between central Brand/Insights teams and our customer-facing Sales function, you will lead a dedicated team to transform shopper insights into brilliant execution. Your mission is to translate brand objectives into compelling experiences that build long-term brand equity, drive transaction conversion, and embed a data-driven, "Triple Win" mindset across our marketing efforts.

What will you do?

• Drive ANZ Shopper Strategy: Formulate and execute a comprehensive shopper marketing strategy that enables the team to negotiate high-impact activation plans with priority retail partners.
• Accelerate Growth & Premiumization: Build strategic shopper plans for high-priority channels. Bridge portfolio profitability with point-of-sale execution to trade shoppers up and drive premiumization.
• Lead the 2-Year Activation Calendar: Partner cross-functionally with Sales and Marketing to govern a rolling 2-year activation calendar aligned with corporate and brand strategy.

• Optimize Retail Media: Collaborate with Media and Agency partners to design, optimize, and negotiate high-performing, insight-driven Retail Digital Media plans.
• Execute the Perfect Digital Store (PDS): Leverage digital analytics and tools (e.g., SimilarWeb, Quantium) to optimize online customer journeys and drive higher conversion rates.

• Target the 'Start of Pet Parenthood': Create dedicated, omni-channel campaigns (including puppy schools, adoption packs, and breeder alignments) to capture and retain new pet parents, maximizing lifetime customer value.

• Coach and Develop Talent: Manage and mentor a high-performing team of two associates plus a Graduate, building functional capabilities around value proposition delivery and ROI evaluation.
• Manage A&CP Budget: Take full ownership of the Shopper Marketing A&CP budget and optimize co-op investments to secure maximum return on investment.

What will you bring?

We are seeking a collaborative, commercially astute, and digitally minded leader who thrives at the intersection of brand strategy, customer partnerships, and retail execution. You should bring a "can-do" attitude, analytical rigor, and a passion for growing both brands and people.

• FMCG or Retail Marketing Experience: Proven track record in Brand, Consumer, or Shopper Marketing within FMCG or a fast-paced retail environment.
• Digital & dCommerce Savvy: Strong understanding of eCommerce/dComm campaign execution and optimizing digital retail touchpoints.
• Commercial & Analytical Acumen: Highly analytical with practical experience in business forecasting, P&L management, and leveraging data (e.g., SimilarWeb, Quantium) to drive actions.
• Influence & Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to navigate crucial conversations and build influential partnerships with key customers, senior management, and agency partners.
• People Leadership: A genuine passion for mentoring, coaching, and upskilling direct reports and graduates.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Category Management, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).

Why you’ll love working for Mars:

• Purpose: Help craft beloved brands with a legacy of over 100 years of local manufacturing making products that people and pets will love all while helping to build a more sustainable future.
• People: A culture that values your contributions, fosters leadership, and recognises the impact you make. Your work truly matters here.
• Development: Shape your career with personalised development and real opportunities to grow from day one.
• Enjoy a team and business environment that is invested in helping you manage and grow your energy for work and life.