Senior Manager, Capability

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.

Role Title:  Senior Manager, Capability

Segment: Mars Snacking ANZ

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Hours: Full-time

Direct reports: 1

Reporting to: People & Organisation (P&O) Director, ANZ Snacking

At Mars, we are driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. To help us build that tomorrow, we are looking for a Senior Manager, Capability to join us in a unique, high-impact role that offers exposure across all Mars segments.

As Senior Manager, Capability you are a senior business partner who acts as a critical strategic bridge between Mars University and our ANZ business segments. You will act as a "common thread" across our business to design and deliver a high-impact local capability strategy that directly drives business growth, supports our segments’ people strategies and unlocks potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Partner & Advisor: Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and P&O Leadership Teams across ANZ, aligning the learning and capability agenda with overall business strategy.
• Capability Diagnosis & Learning Design: Partner with business leaders to diagnose local capability needs. where needs extend beyond global Mars University curricula, designing high impact, blended learning solutions.
• Global Alignment: Act as the voice for the ANZ region in global forums, partnering with Mars University and Mars Global Services to help shape our global curriculum, pilots, and programs.

• Talent & Insights: Lead the ANZ Functional Council Talent Process, driving consolidated talent plans and strategic insights to support market-wide growth.
• Budget & ROI Evaluation: Manage the local ANZ Capability budget, tracking ROI and using data-driven insights to measure the business impact and drive continuous improvement of programs.

What will you bring?

We are seeking a rare blend of strong business acumen and influencing power and are open to considering individuals from diverse backgrounds.

You might currently be a Senior HR Business Partner,  a Senior Commercial Leader (Sales/Marketing) with a profound passion for capability development, or an L&D professional with experience in Talent and Leadership Development

Our ideal candidate will possess:

• Knowledge and experience within a blue-chip FMCG or similar fast-paced environment, with a deep understanding of building capability (Sales, Marketing) to drive business growth (highly desirable).
• Proven expertise in diagnosing organizational needs and a strong track record of designing and delivering high-impact, blended learning solutions to enhance capability.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex, matrixed organizations and use your influence to align senior leaders on strategic initiatives.
• Proven line management & leadership experience with a history of coaching, building, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills with the personal credibility to engage and inspire associates at all levels.
• A highly proactive, lateral thinker with strong analytical skills and a proven ability to challenge the status quo, diagnose underlying business needs, and deliver creative learning solutions

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.