Great people, good benefits, hidden hierarchy and slow process for advancement - Anonymous employee Mars Employee Review

3.0
Oct 28, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people, good benefits and decent work environment. I started in the UK and moved with the company to North America. The benefits are good in both locations and salaries were competitive. I learned a lot with this organization but not through traditional development channels.

Cons

Mars prides itself on "open office" work spaces and touts that this is an important part of the culture. To a degree this is true because collaboration and networking are VERY important to being effective in your work. It's a challenge for new starters to ramp up quickly because they need to be able to build their network and there is little to support them in doing so. The culture is also billed as entrepreneurial and within limits you can have a lot of autonomy. The hidden issue is that for most bigger decisions the processes are very consensus driven and this makes getting things done very slow. Over time this can be frustrating to those that want to move more quickly and lead in an agile way. The IT organization is very male dominated and they cannot seem to retain their female leadership. I often felt like I was passed over for opportunities that went to male colleagues, this seemed to be a global issue so is likely deeply ingrained in the culture, but may be limited to IT.

Explore other reviews about Mars

5.0
Jul 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Culture and the role make the company

Cons

Lack of time for fundamentals

5.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I’ve been at Mars (Yorkville site) for about three months as a Quality Systems Senior Specialist, and so far it’s been a great experience. Everyone has been genuinely friendly, welcoming, and willing to help. The culture feels very supportive—people want to see you succeed and are quick to share knowledge and offer guidance. My manager has been amazing and is truly invested in my growth. She’s helped set clear expectations, encouraged development, and provided the tools and support I need to be successful.

Cons

None so far—still new, but my experience has been very positive.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All