Melanie E. Bednar takes over management of Mars Snacking Switzerland and Austria
Melanie E. Bednar, an Austrian national, serves as General Manager for the Swiss and Austrian markets at Mars Snacking. She is responsible for well-known brands such as M&M’s, Snickers, Twix, Balisto, and Airwaves, and brings over 15 years of international experience to the role. Her focus is on co-creation and strategic partnerships with customers.
Austrian Melanie E. Bednar took over the position of General Manager for the Austrian and Swiss markets at Mars Snacking in summer 2025. In this role, she is responsible for the business with the well-known brands M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Balisto and Airwaves. Her aim is to expand the business in both countries and deepen relationships with customers and partners.
International background and expertise
Born in Carinthia, she has extensive international experience. With over 15 years of professional experience in the USA, Asia and Europe, she has been with Mars since 2013. During this time, she has held various regional and global positions. The business economist specialized in marketing and strategy during her training and completed her doctorate in marketing «summa cum laude». She spent her studies in Klagenfurt and Michigan, among other places.
Within the company, Bednar is considered a specialist in leadership, talent development and cross-functional collaboration in the areas of business strategy, category leadership, marketing and sales. In 2023, she was appointed Regional Channel & Customer Strategy Director Mars Wrigley for Europe and Central Eurasia. In this role, she developed and implemented the strategic customer agenda in close collaboration with local markets, regional and global teams.
Focus on sustainability and positive change
For Melanie E. Bednar, «people, planet and positivity» are not just empty slogans, but a passion she lives by. She is committed to the environment and a sustainable lifestyle both professionally and privately. Co-creation and the expansion of collaborations with customers and strategic industry partners are at the heart of her work.
Having grown up in a family business herself, she is particularly excited about her new role: «I am looking forward to the new and exciting tasks that I will be able to manage together with my team. As a native Austrian and a sports enthusiast who loves nature, I am particularly happy to be working for the Austrian and Swiss markets,» says Melanie E. Bednar.
The Alpine enthusiast now lives in Switzerland with her multicultural and multilingual family and enjoys regular professional trips to her native Austria.
More information: https://www.mars.com/de-ch/news-and-stories
