Accelerator DT Technical Architect, MFG, Make… at Mars · Chicago

Accelerator DT Technical Architect, MFG, Make Copilot, Digital Twin
Location: USA-Illinois-Chicago
Job Description:
Who are we

Accelerator is Mars Snacking's growth engine, focused on unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands. Within Accelerator, the Better For You portfolio includes KIND®, RXBAR®, Nutri-Grain®, Special K Bars®, and Pure Organic® and within Tasty & Wholesome, the portfolio includes Eggo, Rice Krispies Treats and Pop Tarts.  Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a growth business, we are driving innovation, accelerating performance, and transforming how we work through data, automation, and AI-enabled solutions.
We’re looking for passionate collaborators to help us become the foremost leader in Mars Snacking and positively impact society along the way. If you’re looking to be a part of an inspiring, energetic and entrepreneurial environment, you’ve found the right place.

What you’ll do

Reporting to the Accelerator DT Manufacturing, Make, R&D and QFS Domain Sr. Manager, this role is part of the Digital Technologies organization supporting Accelerator, including KIND, Tru Fru, Nature's Bakery, and the newly acquired Kellanova brands. The role is responsible for shaping and governing technology solutions across the TLT portfolio, including Supply Chain, Planning, Manufacturing, Logistics, and R&D/QFS, while defining technology roadmaps, evaluating solution options, establishing architecture standards, and identifying opportunities to leverage AI, Digital Twins, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies that support Accelerator's long-term digital strategy.
As Accelerator continues to evolve, this role will provide architecture leadership across multiple business priorities, serving as a trusted advisor who bridges business and technology to shape future-state capabilities, guide investment decisions, and drive scalable, integrated solutions across the enterprise. Working closely with business stakeholders, product teams, Enterprise Architecture, and delivery partners, this individual will combine architecture expertise with strong business analysis skills to assess opportunities, translate business requirements into solution recommendations, support vendor evaluations and RFPs, shape initiatives from concept through delivery, and provide hands-on problem solving across the TLT portfolio. The role balances strategic planning with day-to-day execution, helping ensure solutions are practical, standardized, and scalable while fostering innovation, reducing technical debt, and preventing one-off solutions that limit future growth.
Job Responsibilities

Architecture Strategy & Roadmap Development
Partner with TLT Domain Leads to understand business priorities and translate them into technology roadmaps.
Define future-state architecture strategies that support Accelerator's long-term business objectives.
Identify opportunities to leverage AI, automation, Digital Twins, analytics, and emerging technologies to create business value.
Support business case development and technology investment decisions.
Solution Assessment & Early Project Shaping
Lead solution assessments for new business initiatives and technology opportunities.
Evaluate technology options, platforms, and vendor capabilities against business requirements and architecture standards.
Support RFPs, vendor selections, proof-of-concepts, and technology due diligence activities.
Provide architecture guidance during project intake, discovery, and design phases.
Architecture Governance & Standards
Establish and maintain architecture principles, standards, and reference architectures across the TLT portfolio.
Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, security, data, and integration standards.
Review solution designs and help prevent siloed or plant-specific implementations that do not scale across Accelerator.
Drive reuse, standardization, and simplification across business capabilities and technology platforms.
Cross-Functional Delivery Support
Work closely with Product Owners, Business Analysts, Delivery Teams, and Solution Architects to ensure successful execution of initiatives.
Provide architecture leadership across Manufacturing, Planning, Supply Chain, Quality, R&D and digital transformation programs.
Support integration strategies across ERP, Planning, Manufacturing, Data & Analytics, AI, and operational technology ecosystems.
Balance strategic architecture direction with practical hands-on support when required.
Innovation & Emerging Technology
Drive adoption of AI-enabled capabilities including Microsoft Copilot, advanced analytics, and intelligent automation.
Assess and guide opportunities related to Digital Twins, smart manufacturing, connected operations, and data-driven decision-making.
Collaborate with enterprise architecture and innovation teams to evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends.

Qualifications

Must-Have Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, or related field.
8+ years of experience in Solution Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Business Architecture, or related technology consulting roles.
Experience supporting supply chain, planning, manufacturing, quality or operational business domains.
Proven ability to translate business requirements into scalable technology solutions and roadmaps.
Experience facilitating business and technical workshops with senior stakeholders.
Strong knowledge of systems integration, cloud platforms, data architecture, and enterprise applications.
Experience evaluating technology solutions, supporting vendor selections, and contributing to RFP processes.
Ability to operate as both a strategic advisor and a hands-on contributor.
Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
Nice-to-Have Qualifications
Experience supporting Manufacturing technologies including SAP PP, MES, OT/IT integration, or Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Experience supporting Planning capabilities such as Demand Planning, Supply Planning, IBP, APO, Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, or equivalent platforms.
Knowledge of Digital Twin technologies and connected operations architectures.
Experience with Microsoft Copilot, GenAI, automation, or AI-enabled business solutions.
Experience in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Food & Beverage, Manufacturing, or Supply Chain industries.
Familiarity with SAP S/4HANA, Azure, Microsoft Fabric, and modern integration platforms.
TOGAF, Azure, SAP, or related architecture certifications.

What can you expect from Mars

Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
A strong focus on 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.
The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00