About this role
Job Description:
If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Helen Seager (Talent, People & Strategy Director, Snacking ECE)
Role Purpose The Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer is responsible for leading strategy, transformation, and integration activities across Mars Snacking Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE). Reporting to the Regional President and serving as a member of the ECE Leadership Team, the role shapes the region's long-term growth strategy, leads major transformation initiatives, and ensures the successful integration of Kellanova and Mars Snacking across the region. The role works closely with regional, market, and global leaders to translate strategic priorities into clear plans, drive execution, and deliver sustainable business results. Business Context: Europe & Central Eurasia (ECE) Europe & Central Eurasia is one of the largest and most diverse regions within Mars Snacking, spanning more than 55 markets across Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Eurasia. The region encompasses:
• Mature, highly competitive developed markets. • Fast-growing emerging markets. • Diverse consumer, customer, regulatory, and operating environments. • Significant opportunities arising from the integration of Kellanova and Mars Snacking. The region operates in an environment shaped by changing consumer preferences, economic pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, digital disruption, and evolving retail channels. Success in this role requires balancing long-term strategic thinking with practical delivery across a highly complex and fast-moving business. Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities Kellanova Integration Leadership
• Lead the regional integration strategy for Kellanova across ECE and serve as the primary link between regional leadership and global integration teams. • Ensure integration priorities are translated into clear execution plans and monitor integration progress and risk against those plans. Escalate issues where required. • Partner with market and functional leaders to ensure successful implementation across the region. ECE Strategic Planning
• Own and direct the 3–5 year Integrated Value Creation Plan and strategic planning cycle for ECE, translating enterprise growth targets into tailored cluster strategies. • Lead the annual strategic planning cadence, aligning functional leaders (Commercial, Marketing, Supply, Finance, Corporate Affairs, P&O) around clear resource allocation, margin expansion, and ROI benchmarks. • Model and anticipate macroeconomic shifts, geopolitical developments, inflation/deflation cycles, and evolving retail consolidation across the region. Strategic Transformation & Network Optimization
• Act as executive sponsor for transformative regional initiatives, including operating model design, digital commerce/omni-channel scale, and distributor-to-direct model transitions in emerging markets. Enterprise Governance, Thought Leadership & Mars Culture
• Serve as the strategic challenger and trusted counsel to the Regional President and Executive Committee, driving rigorous, data-driven decisions on resource allocation trade-offs. • Represent Europe & Central Eurasia across Global Strategy Councils and enterprise leadership platforms. • Elevate strategic capability and commercial acumen across the multi-country organization, mentoring high-potential strategy associates in full alignment with The Five Principles of Mars. Total Portfolio, Category & Whitespace Expansion
• Partner to shape the multi-category portfolio strategy across Chocolate, Gum & Confections, Savory Snacking, Wholesome Snacks, and International Grains to optimize growth, gross margins, and brand equity. • Identify and evaluate whitespace opportunities, including geographic scale expansion into Central Eurasian white spaces, route-to-market upgrades in emerging clusters, and targeted local brand partnerships or bolt-on acquisitions. • Co-steer regional Revenue Growth Management, multi-tier Price-Pack Architecture and promotional effectiveness strategies tailored to distinct market maturity levels Candidate Profile: Qualifications & Experience
• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, Strategic Management, or Finance Experience. • 15+ years of progressive experience in corporate strategy, business development, or top-tier management consulting (e.g., McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Strategy&) combined with executive in-house corporate leadership. • Proven leadership track record within Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (CPG/FMCG), multi-category food & beverage, or global retail. • Demonstrated hands-on leadership in large-scale, cross-border Post-Merger Integrations (PMI), commercial portfolio consolidations, or complex multinational operating model transformations. • Deep commercial familiarity with the diverse retail environments across Europe (Western, Central, Eastern) and Central Eurasia (including modern trade, hard discounters, buying alliances, and distributor-led emerging markets). • Extensive experience advising and influencing C-suite and executive board stakeholders in a complex global matrix.