Americas Ombudsman - Veterinary Health

Location: USA-Virginia-McLean

We are seeking an experienced and highly trusted Mars Associate to join the Ombudsman team as Americas Ombudsman for the Veterinary Health division.

The Ombudsman plays a unique and important role within Mars. As a confidential, informal, neutral and independent resource, the Ombudsman provides Associates with a trusted channel to discuss any work-related issue, question or concern.

At the same time, the role partners with leaders and the broader organization to strengthen Associate engagement, identify emerging themes and opportunities, and help ensure that our everyday actions remain aligned with The Five Principles and the Associate Concept.

At its heart, this is a role for someone who cares deeply about our Associates, understands our culture and business, and can build trust at every level of the organization.

What will you do?

Provide a neutral, independent, informal and confidential channel for Associates to raise work-related questions, concerns and issues.

Listen, coach and help Associates explore constructive options for addressing workplace challenges.

Support conflict resolution through coaching, facilitation, mediation, informal fact-finding and other appropriate approaches.

Help Associates understand relevant Mars policies, practices, The Five Principles and the Associate Concept.

Where appropriate and with the Associate's permission, engage relevant parties to clarify issues and support mutually agreeable resolutions.

Guide Associates toward appropriate formal channels where concerns involve matters such as whistleblowing, fraud, inappropriate behavior or other issues requiring formal investigation or resolution.

Encourage effective use of existing internal resources, including Line Managers, P&O, Ethics & Compliance and other relevant channels.

Develop strong, trust-based partnerships with leaders while maintaining the independence and neutrality essential to the Ombudsman role.

Provide senior leaders and key stakeholders with anonymized insights, themes and analytics arising from Associate concerns.

Act as an organizational “sensor,” identifying emerging trends, Associate relations risks and potential areas of concern before they escalate.

Provide upward feedback where there may be gaps between the organization’s stated values, policies or objectives and Associates’ lived experience.

Recommend improvements to policies, processes, systems and ways of working that can help Mars become an even better place to work.

Coach leaders on people-management challenges and approaches where appropriate.

Conduct Associate outreach to gather insights that can help leaders develop meaningful action plans.

Support the orientation and onboarding of new leaders.

Promote awareness and understanding of the Ombudsman Program through site and market visits.

Contribute to or lead initiatives that strengthen the Ombudsman Program, including communications, analytics, capabilities and continuous improvement.

Coach and mentor Associates in taking ownership of their career development and progression at Mars.

Operate in alignment with the International Ombuds Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

What are we looking for?

This role calls for a highly experienced Mars Associate with strong judgment, credibility, empathy and the ability to influence without formal authority.

Experience and qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.

A minimum of 10 years’ Mars experience, or a combination of approximately 5+ years in an acquired business and 5 years at Mars.

Broad and diverse career experience within the organization.

Experience across different geographies, segments and/or functions is highly desirable.

A strong understanding of Mars, its culture, business environment, regional and global strategies, and organizational challenges.

Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior executives, leaders and Associates across all levels.

Strong coaching, consulting and influencing skills, particularly in situations where you do not have formal authority.

Experience navigating complex, sensitive and ambiguous situations with discretion and sound judgment.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Strong analytical capability and confidence using technology, including emerging tools such as AI.

Excellent command of English; an additional language relevant to the Americas and complementary to the team’s existing capabilities would be an advantage.

Demonstrated effectiveness working across cultures and within diverse teams.

Candidates may come from any Mars segment or function. What matters most is the breadth of experience, depth of cultural understanding, credibility and ability to establish trust across the organization.

The qualities that will help you succeed

Integrity and trust

Exceptional listening skills

Approachability and empathy

Emotional intelligence

Patience, compassion and composure

Managerial courage

Strong conflict-management skills

Organizational agility and business acumen

The ability to influence without authority

Sound problem-solving and decision-making

Strong collaborative relationships

Authenticity and openness

Flexibility and adaptability

Personal resilience

A unique career opportunity

The Ombudsman role is unlike most roles at Mars. It requires independence, discretion, resilience and the ability to operate effectively across a wide range of complex and often sensitive circumstances.

There is also a significant travel component, expected to be 40% or more, reflecting the importance of building relationships and maintaining visibility with Associates and leaders across the Americas.

Given the nature of the position, the Ombudsman assignment is expected to be the final role in an Associate’s Mars career.

This is an opportunity to use your experience, credibility and understanding of Mars to make a meaningful contribution to Associates, leaders and the continued strength of our culture.

Interested?

If you are passionate about The Five Principles, committed to creating an environment where Associates feel heard and supported, and interested in using your experience to help strengthen our culture across the Americas, we encourage you to apply.

We welcome interest from Associates across functions and segments who believe their experience, judgment and personal qualities align with this unique opportunity.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the below range, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, if eligible, including variable pay & general allowances (depending on the position and employee’s work schedule).

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable policies and plans then in effect, and depending on the position offered and the employee’s work schedule (i.e., part-time schedule), eligible employees are automatically enrolled in a 401(k) plan, as well as participate in Company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and the employee’s eligible dependents, and may be eligible to take up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave.

Employees will also receive the following paid-time off (which may be prorated based on start date and the employee’s work schedule): 120 hours of vacation per year, paid sick time for eligible Associates of 100% pay continuation for a maximum of 40 hours per calendar year, and 12 paid holidays throughout the calendar year that include both fixed and flexible holidays.

USD 192,560.00 - USD 264,770.00

Additional Locations: USA-New York-New York, USA-New Jersey-Hackettstown, USA-Nevada-Henderson, USA-Tennessee-Franklin, USA-California-Los Angeles, USA-Illinois-Chicago