Industrial Engineer
Mars · Chicago, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Industrial
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level industrial role at Mars (food & beverage) in Chicago, IL. Drive 5-year capacity modeling and network utilization strategies to secure supply and eliminate bottlenecks.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Capacity planning
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Industrial Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $80k–$120k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 14 industrial engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 13 other live industrial postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $80k–$120k, from 7 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Lean 43%
- Plant layout 43%
- Six Sigma 36%
- Time studies 36%
- Team leadership 36%
- Automation 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Industrial team at Mars
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is it more layout and capacity work, or time studies and standard work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Mars in Chicago
2 other open roles at this site.
- Senior Packaging Engineer - Packaging Design/Development · Manufacturing · Senior
- Senior Packaging Engineer · Manufacturing · Senior
Full description from MarsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Minimum
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Chemical, or related field) or Supply Chain / Operations Research.
- ✓3–5 years of experience in manufacturing, industrial engineering, supply chain strategy, or corporate operations.
- ✓Proven experience conducting financial appraisals (e.g., make-vs-buy analysis, Cost of Goods Sold [COGS] modeling, or cost-reduction initiatives).
- ✓Experience supporting capital investment projects or working within structured capital management frameworks.
- ✓Strong capability in data-driven capacity modeling, bottleneck analysis, and equipment throughput evaluation.
- ✓Demonstrated success working cross-functionally with teams like R&D, Finance, Commercial, and local plant operations.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description
Industrial Engineer
Chicago, IL
Join Mars Snacking as a Segment Industrial Engineer (IE) and lead strategic manufacturing and sourcing solutions that power our global brand. Collaborating with the Segment IE Associate Director, you will analyze supply strategies, optimize our product innovation pipeline, and identify cost-saving opportunities. This role is highly hands-on and actionable, giving you the platform to drive continuous improvement and ensure the successful, timely implementation of initiatives across our diverse production lines and plants.
What are we looking for?
Preferred
- +Experience in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), Food & Beverage, or Packaging industries.
- +Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Engineering Management, or Supply Chain.
- +Familiarity with structured product development launch processes (e.g., Quest, Stage-Gate, or equivalent).
- +Experience with advanced capacity planning tools, network optimization software, or long-term (5-year) strategic modeling.
- +Experience developing business continuity/risk-mitigation plans and driving continuous improvement in a matrixed corporate environment
What will be your key responsibilities?
Innovation Management
- •Lead supply-side initiatives from early design to manufacturing execution, developing viable network and sourcing solutions.
- •Champion Supply Chain interests in the cross-functional Quest stage-gate process to ensure flawless product launches.
- •Capital Management
- •Author and secure alignment for capital projects (MPARs), guiding them through early-stage feasibility and scoping.
- •Shape long-term site Master Planning to align physical manufacturing capabilities with multi-year brand strategies.
- •Supply Strategy & Financial Optimization
- •Drive 5-year capacity modeling and network utilization strategies to secure supply and eliminate bottlenecks.
- •Build supply resiliency through make-vs-buy financial appraisals and robust business continuity planning.
- •Partner with Finance and Commercial to model financial impacts, execute cost-reduction (COGS) initiatives, and optimize inventory.
- •Manage the manufacturing capability registry to accelerate scale-up and new product launches.
- •Liaison between manufacturing sites and End-to-End Planning teams to accelerate issue resolution and maintain peak service levels.
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 pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00