Mars Wrigley, the confectionery company behind some of America’s best-known candy brands, is eliminating 307 jobs as it winds down its Newark, New Jersey, headquarters and shifts corporate operations to Chicago.
The company recently filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) with the New Jersey Department of Labor, revealing that the layoffs are scheduled to begin on October 16. The workforce reduction is tied to the planned closure of the company’s Newark Market Hub, which Mars expects to fully sunset by the end of 2027.
Headquarters move affects hundreds of employees
Mars said the decision follows a review of its North American office footprint and aligns with a previously announced strategy to consolidate key corporate functions in Chicago, where it recently invested $100 million to expand its global snacking headquarters. The expansion is intended to support long-term growth and bring together several business divisions under one roof.
The layoffs impact corporate positions rather than manufacturing jobs. Mars stated that affected employees will receive transition assistance, including relocation opportunities where appropriate.
New Jersey manufacturing operations will remain
Despite the headquarters transition, Mars emphasized that it is not leaving New Jersey entirely. The company said it will continue operating and investing in its Hackettstown manufacturing and innovation facilities, where iconic products such as M&M’s have long been produced.
Mars Wrigley is one of the world’s largest confectionery companies, with a portfolio that includes M&M’s, Snickers, Twix, Skittles, Milky Way, Starburst, and Extra gum. The planned headquarters consolidation marks one of the largest recent layoff announcements in the U.S. food industry and comes as several major manufacturers continue restructuring operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
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