Nearly 29 Years at MDLZ, Elena's Journey Shows How Every Opportunity Can Lead to Growth

Friday, October 23, 2026

A career in manufacturing Finance offers a unique perspective on how a global business operates. At Mondelēz International, Elena Saenz Martínez has spent nearly 29 years building her expertise across different roles, manufacturing sites and business transformations, proving every day that you make MDLZ move forward. As Senior Manager, ISC Finance Manufacturing for Spain and Italy, based at the Viana plant in Navarre, Spain, she shares how working close to manufacturing operations deepens business understanding, why continuous learning matters for career growth, and the opportunities available to Finance professionals at Mondelēz International.

Elena, you have spent almost three decades at Mondelēz International, growing across functions and geographies. When we say, "You Make MDLZ," we mean people like you, people who have shaped their careers and the company at the same time. Looking back at where you started versus where you are today, what did this journey teach you?

My entire professional career has been built at Mondelēz International, and I would say it was love at first sight.

I joined the Viana plant through a temporary employment agency, on a six-month contract in an administrative role. I started far from the Controller position. Mondelēz International has taught me practically everything I know.

From the very beginning, I fell in love with the products, and I was lucky to have people who believed in me, looked after me and genuinely cared about my development. I try to give back to Mondelēz International by doing the same for the people around me.

Mondelēz International gave me an incredible willingness to learn, to keep improving, to keep evolving. And I hope I have given back my commitment, my energy and my determination to always make things work as well as possible.

What makes Viana a special place to work and live, and what is it like being part of a global company while being rooted in such a unique local community?

Viana is a special place for me, although I have spent parts of my career elsewhere.

I started in Viana, but after my first year I began traveling and working in different locations, at a plant in the Basque Country, at the Barcelona headquarters, and at a plant near Lisbon, among others. Some years ago, I had the opportunity to return to Viana and take on my current Cluster Controller role from here, as I am originally from this area.

Viana is a small village, but it offers a great quality of life, with larger cities close by. Working here, you are part of a global company with all the opportunities and international exposure that brings, while still feeling deeply rooted in a local community that feels like home.

The factory and the village are closely connected. Many people from Viana and the surrounding area work at the plant, so Mondelēz International is an important part of the local community and a major contributor to the local economy.

Mondelēz International has evolved significantly over the years. How has that constant change shaped the way you work?

The company has been through several major transformations since I first joined, and every one of them has been a fascinating experience. Mergers and integrations teach you how to work with different cultures, different ways of doing things, and people based across different countries and locations.

One of the most enriching lessons over the years is that, at the end of the day, people are people. We all want to learn, to grow, to feel valued, to do a good job and to be part of something meaningful.

Mondelēz International is constantly evolving and adapting to the world around us. Almost 29 years later, I am still learning and facing new challenges, and I think that is what has kept me inspired and engaged for so long. There is always something new around the corner.

Manufacturing is where ideas become the products people love. For someone considering a career in manufacturing at Mondelēz International, what would you tell them about the opportunities, the challenges, and the kind of impact they can have?

I absolutely love this question. When you graduate in Finance, you probably imagine working in an office, surrounded by people in suits and ties. Then you arrive at a factory and realize it’s a completely different world. For me, it was love at first sight.

This is where the action happens. You see raw materials being transformed into products people love. From a Finance perspective, it gives you an incredibly deep understanding of the business. You learn to break down every driver of manufacturing costs and understand what is really happening behind the figures.

You also learn that Finance is not just about numbers. It’s about understanding the operation, working with people, and helping the business make better decisions.

So, if someone asked me whether they should start their career in manufacturing, I would absolutely recommend it. The experience and the insights you gain will stay with you throughout your career.

After nearly 29 years surrounded by some of the world's most iconic snacks, we have to ask: what is your all-time favorite Mondelēz International snack?

That is probably the most difficult question in the entire interview!

If I must choose one, I would say Oreo. It is such an iconic brand, and I love the way it keeps evolving with so many different flavors and variations. Honestly, I like them all. I do not think there is an Oreo I do not like!

I start my day with a slice of toast with Philadelphia, a coffee later in the morning with some Oreos or Digestive biscuits, and at the end of the day, a little piece of Milka or Toblerone before bed is the perfect way to finish.

So, I guess the answer is: I do not have one favorite Mondelēz International snack. I have a favorite Mondelēz moment for every part of the day!