Karen Hovsepian
Vice President, Global Strategy and New Business Development, Mars Snacking
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Professional Overview
Karen Hovsepian is an accomplished global strategy and business development executive with over a decade of experience driving growth and innovation within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. As the Vice President of Global Strategy and New Business Development at Mars Snacking, she is responsible for shaping the strategic direction and identifying new market opportunities to expand the company's market-leading snacking portfolio.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In her current role at Mars, Hovsepian is tasked with developing and executing the global strategy for the company's snacking division, which includes iconic brands such as M&M's, Snickers, and Skittles. She leads a team of strategy and business development professionals to identify new product categories, markets, and acquisition targets that align with Mars' long-term growth objectives. Leveraging her deep industry expertise and analytical acumen, Hovsepian has spearheaded several strategic initiatives that have significantly increased the company's market share and profitability.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Hovsepian held various leadership positions at Mars, including Vice President of Global Strategy Development and Growth Legacy, and Vice President of Strategy for the Global Mars Wrigley division. Before joining Mars, she was a Principal at the prestigious Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she advised top-tier CPG clients on strategic growth initiatives and operational optimization. Hovsepian began her career at General Mills, where she progressed through various roles in production, systems engineering, and team leadership.
Academic Background
Hovsepian holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School, where she specialized in strategy and general management. She also earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic planning and execution
- New business development and market expansion
- Merger and acquisition integration
- Brand portfolio management
- Supply chain optimization
- Data-driven decision making
- Lean Six Sigma methodologies
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Hovsepian has demonstrated a track record of driving transformative change and delivering tangible results. At Mars, she has been instrumental in launching several successful new product lines, navigating complex regulatory environments, and spearheading the integration of acquired businesses. Her leadership and analytical prowess have earned her widespread recognition within the industry, and she is actively involved in industry associations and thought leadership initiatives.
Conclusion
With her extensive experience, strategic vision, and cross-functional expertise, Karen Hovsepian is poised to continue driving growth and innovation at Mars Snacking. Her commitment to excellence and proven ability to translate complex business challenges into actionable plans make her a valuable asset in the highly competitive CPG landscape.
