Global Sr. IT Security Specialist at Mars

Job Description: Changing the World, One Kibble at a Time

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Global Sr. IT Security Specialist to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food crafter with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. From our humble beginnings, founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry.

Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime, provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company. Being a partner to the communities that surround us – and the environment that sustains us – are top priorities.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here’s the scoop - Summary

The Global Sr. IT Security Specialist serves as the strategic leader for our global security program, driving security initiatives, governance, and risk management across the organization. In this role, you’ll guide security operations, shape our security roadmap, and collaborate with technical and executive teams to ensure a resilient, compliant, and secure technology environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned security professional who thrives on leadership, innovation, and elevating an organization’s security posture on a global scale.

This position is in primary Champion office(s) and requires some travel to other Champion locations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead global IT security operations, including SOC monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, and compliance

• Drive security strategy across hybrid and multi‑cloud environments and ensure IT Security functions and external partners align to organizational priorities

• Build and mature the organization’s security culture, awareness programs, and adherence to security standards across applications and infrastructure

• Oversee IT GRC, security governance, policy development, and regulatory reporting

• Identify and address emerging security risks, ensuring proactive mitigation and continuous improvement

• Guide secure design practices, threat modeling, and security integration throughout the software development lifecycle

• Direct penetration testing, vendor risk management, and expert technical support during incidents

• Collaborate with IT Operations to enhance operating models and improve global security posture

• Lead global security architecture reviews and drive changes to strengthen security controls

• Own business continuity strategy, including planning, auditing, and tracking key resilience KPIs (e.g., MTTR, RTO, RPO)

• Ensure incident response/continuity plans and SLAs are reviewed annually and aligned with IT leaders and executive leadership expectations

Requirements

• 7–10 years in IT security operations or technical IT operations, with proven expertise supporting a global, multi‑site environment

• CISSP or an equivalent industry‑recognized security certification

• Strong understanding of vulnerability management, risk remediation, modern security tooling, and hybrid/cloud security best practices. Familiarity with frameworks such as NIST 2.0, ISO 27001, SOC2, and MITRE

• Experience implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Identity & Access Management lifecycle practices, and Zero Trust methodologies

• Solid background in infrastructure, endpoint protection, and security monitoring technologies

• Proven ability to oversee third‑party security engagements and vendor risk assurance.

• Experience conducting or coordinating penetration tests with internal teams and external partners

• Knowledge of ITIL processes, including incident, change, problem, request, and event management

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence teams across regions and functions. Demonstrated capability in change management and leading multi‑disciplinary teams

• Ability to work extended or off‑hours when required and travel to company locations as needed

Position Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with executive level stakeholders

• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, with the ability to support and influence teams at all levels

• Proven capability to drive change and enable technology adoption across the organization

• Experience leading multi disciplinary teams across diverse cultures, regions, and geographies

• Fluent in English, both written and spoken

• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license (other than motorcycle), ability to travel between the Company’s locations, and willingness to accept temporary assignment(s) to additional Company locations

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety:

a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.

• Earnings:

$90,000 - $105,000 annual salary, annual bonus eligibility, 401k/RRSP with company matching.

• Industry Competitive Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision and employee assistance programs to meet your individual or family needs.

• Continuing Education:

In house & online learning & development, as well as an education assistance program.

• Quality:

a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.

• Other Perks:

Free bag of premium pet food each month.

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.

#cpfind