Portfolio Marketing Specialist - ROYAL CANIN® and Eukanuba®

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Portfolio Marketing Specialist - ROYAL CANIN® and Eukanuba®

🔹 Company: Mars

🔹 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: July 9, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid work arrangement

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving the delivery of a profitable portfolio for ROYAL CANIN® and Eukanuba® brands
• Executing portfolio strategy by leading assigned projects, including product launches and optimisations
• Developing marketing materials and monitoring portfolio health to make strategic recommendations for growth
• Collaborating with internal and external teams, including Sales and veterinary-based Associates
• Building relationships with relevant Regional and Global stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent project management skills, and the ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Execute the portfolio strategy by undertaking assigned portfolio projects, including preparing submissions and inputs for all checkpoints required in the product review process.

✅ Lead the creation and delivery of required marketing assets related to a product project, including writing creative briefs, collaborating with required internal stakeholders, and moving materials through the internal creative approval process.

✅ Ensure all product information remains current on all platforms where product information is shared with Customers and Consumers.

✅ Partner with relevant Customer Marketing Managers to facilitate a smooth transition of the product project into the market, provide strategic consultation and creative input into Retailer portfolio activations, and monitor product performance post-launch.

✅ Support the Portfolio Lead in monitoring portfolio health on a regular cadence, undertaking a thorough review and analysis of performance, and making recommendations where opportunity exists for growth (through innovation) and/or rationalisation.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to turn data into actionable insights.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Degree in Marketing or relevant field

Experience: Approximately 3-5 years of experience in a portfolio-based or brand manager role, with marketing experience linked to portfolio activity (e.g., product launches, portfolio health)

Required Skills:

• Proven experience and excellence in developing robust portfolio marketing materials (e.g., Launch Plans & Assets)
• Strong attention to detail and excellent project management skills
• Strong analytical skills and ability to turn data into actionable insights
• Both willingness and capability to collaborate effectively with internal and external teams and stakeholders

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with Sales and veterinary-based Associates
• Experience working with Regional and Global stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the pet care industry or relevant transferable skills may be at an advantage.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 AUD per annum (pro-rata for 12-month contract)

Benefits:

• Complimentary Royal Canin pet food for your cat or dog
• Individualised career progression with a focus on you and your career goals
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University
• Collaborative, dynamic, supportive, and fun culture
• Opportunities to support community partners, including the RSPCA and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia and Blind & Low Vision Guide Dogs in New Zealand

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level in the Melbourne area. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and other factors.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Food and Beverage Manufacturing, specifically Pet Care

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: 1911 (as Mars, Incorporated)

Company Description:

• Mars, Incorporated is a global manufacturer of confectionery, pet care, and other food products
• The company operates in more than 80 countries and has more than 120,000 employees worldwide
• Mars, Incorporated is a privately held company, with the Mars family still owning the majority of the shares

Company Specialties:

• Mars Petcare
• Mars Food
• Mars Edge
• and Mars Wrigley

Company Website: www.mars.com

ASSUMPTION: Mars, Incorporated is a well-established and reputable company with a strong focus on quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency, and freedom. The company is known for its commitment to sustainability and community involvement.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to Senior-level Marketing role, with potential for career progression within the company

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Portfolio Lead and works closely with various internal and external teams, including Sales and veterinary-based Associates

Work Arrangement: Hybrid work arrangement, with 2-3 days on-site per week in the Melbourne office

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential for career progression within the company, including opportunities to take on more senior roles or move into different areas of the business
• Access to best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and gain exposure to senior leadership

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a 12-month contract basis, with the potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role based on performance and business needs.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with a hybrid work arrangement

Office Location(s): 6885 Elm St, McLean, Virginia 22101, US (Global Headquarters); Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Regional Office)

Geographic Context:

• Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, Australia
• The city is known for its cultural diversity, vibrant arts scene, and high standard of living
• Melbourne has a temperate climate, with mild winters and warm summers

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (2-3 days on-site per week)

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a better work-life balance and the opportunity to work from home for part of the week.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the Portfolio Lead and other relevant stakeholders
• Final round interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Project management skills and attention to detail
• Analytical skills and ability to turn data into actionable insights
• Collaboration and stakeholder management skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Mars' values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability
• Research Mars, Incorporated and the ROYAL CANIN® and Eukanuba® brands to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the company and its products

ATS Keywords: Portfolio Management, Brand Management, Product Launches, Portfolio Health, Marketing Strategy, Project Management, Analytical Skills, Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, Product Review Process, Portfolio Optimisation

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role may take several weeks, depending on the availability of the interview panel and other factors. It is essential to be patient and persistent throughout the process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
• Creative design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch)

ASSUMPTION: This role requires proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with a strong preference for experience with project management and data analysis tools.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Quality - The consumer is our boss, quality is our work, and value for money is our goal.
• Responsibility - As individuals, we demand total responsibility from ourselves; as Associates, we support the responsibilities of others.
• Mutuality - A mutual benefit is a shared benefit; a shared benefit will endure.
• Efficiency - We use resources to the full, waste nothing, and do only what we can do best.
• Freedom - We need freedom to shape our future; we need profit to remain free.

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Dynamic and adaptable
• Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality work
• Committed to continuous learning and improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you ensure high-quality work and attention to detail in your projects?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to achieve a common goal?
• How do you approach learning new tools or technologies to improve your work efficiency?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with Mars' values and work style are more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the company's ongoing success.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working on a 12-month contract basis may limit long-term job security
• The role requires a high level of attention to detail and strong project management skills, which can be challenging at times
• The hybrid work arrangement may present challenges in terms of communication and collaboration with remote team members
• The role may require occasional travel to other Mars offices or client sites

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated by effective communication, time management, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Brand Manager or Product Manager role, but with a specific focus on portfolio management and optimization
• Unlike other marketing roles, this position requires a strong understanding of the product review process and the ability to work effectively in a matrix organization
• This role offers unique opportunities to work on high-impact projects and gain exposure to senior leadership

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in portfolio management or related roles may find this position particularly appealing and well-suited to their skillset.

📝 Sample Projects

• Leading a product launch campaign for a new ROYAL CANIN® or Eukanuba® product, including market research, product development, and marketing materials creation
• Conducting a portfolio health review and making strategic recommendations for growth or rationalisation based on data analysis and market trends
• Collaborating with Sales and veterinary-based Associates to develop targeted marketing campaigns and promotional materials for specific customer segments

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and the opportunity to work on high-impact initiatives in this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the typical portfolio management process and how this role fits into it?
• How does this role collaborate with other teams, such as Sales and veterinary-based Associates?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
• How does Mars support the professional development and career growth of its employees?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can they be effectively managed?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you better understand the expectations and requirements of the position.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the following link: https://careers.mars.com/global/en/job/R132041/Portfolio-Marketing-Specialist-ROYAL-CANIN%C2%AE-and-Eukanuba%C2%AE
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, collaboration, and adaptability
• Research Mars, Incorporated and the ROYAL CANIN® and Eukanuba® brands to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the company and its products
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.