This is a new role that is a shift-based, front-line operations people leader who efficiently improves Quality, Human Safety, and Product Cost Conversion while Engaging and Developing talent.

This manager will coordinate the short-term activities of the potential commercial production within established guidelines and standards to produce the highest quality, lowest cost product in the safest and most efficient manner, while also partnering with the other members of the Pilot Plant Team to deliver area continuous improvement and Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) program implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Associate Advocacy - Manage associate relations issues and guide and direct the hiring, training, retraining, development and motivation of Operations associates following self-managed, team working principles with a minimum degree of guidance from the Operations Manager. 
• Conversion - Manage the efforts of operating teams of a multi- line, area or technology on one shift in the efficient conversion of materials into quality products in a safe, secure and sanitary manner within the product design specifications.
• Area Ownership – Collaborate with the rest of the Area Leadership Team (Technical and Operations Area Owners) to create and execute the reliability strategy for area of responsibility
• Coaching – Coach operators to build their functional and leadership capabilities and to drive accountability in safety, Quality and Food Safety, Autonomous Maintenance, and team engagement.
• Change Agent - Implement changes in methods, equipment, systems and organization, as needed, to assure that the objectives of the line/area are met, and give input and recommendations for such changes by using a Continuous Improvement mindset
• Mars Supply Excellence – Lead or participate in one or more MSE Pillars; Lead and support the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) in area of responsibility; Lead key connection points and own reliability data collection accuracy.   
• Associate Safety – Ensure safe working conditions as well as safe behaviours and mindsets through the direct implementation of Mars Safety programs and through driving a relentless focus among team of operators
• Food Safety and Product Quality – Ensure the ongoing production of safe and defect free products consistent with the principles of Mars.  HACCP proficiency is required; this manager owns ongoing training and championing of quality goals and improvements at the Area Shift level. 
• Goal Setting and Measurement - With the general guidance of the Production Manager, and/or the support of the Continuous Improvement Engineer, establish line and individual performance standards and goals, and measure, control, take corrective action and report results as appropriate.
• Change Agent - Recommend and implement changes in methods, equipment, systems and organization, as needed, to assure that the objectives of the line/area are met.
• Goal Setting and Measurement - With the general guidance of the Operations Manager and through Operations teams, establish line performance standards and goals, and measure, control, take corrective action and report results as appropriate.
• Troubleshooting - At this stage of technical development, and under the general guidance of the Operations Manager, the Line Manager utilizes the technical resources on shift for the preventive maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of process/packaging equipment problems, with the objective of effectively using these resources to achieve desired performance levels.
• Escalations - Proactively identify risks and opportunities as well as reactively lead on-shift incident resolution when operators require additional support. Prioritize, assign resources against escalated issues, and make decisions to resolve escalated issues.
• Communications - Ensure that open communications are established and that opportunities to broaden the scope and responsibility of Operations teams/associates are undertaken.
• Technology Advancement - Advise the Operations Manager when opportunities exist for moving the line/area forward in technological change.
• Operations Strategy - Participate with the Operations Manager in the implementation of improvement strategies that will help the line/area perform more effectively in the near term.
• Associate Development - Evaluate associate performance and develop, in conjunction with associate's plans, to challenge their potential.

Personal Development - Keep abreast of the managerial and technical competencies, both within and outside Mars Petcare US.

Context and Scope

The Shift Manager leads through the Mars 5 Principles and the Associate Concept. They seek to build their team to be able to succeed autonomously. They own all plant operations on their designated shift to ensure performance in a commercial setting.

This Manager will coordinate the short-term activities related to small batch commercial production leveraging direct reports, as well as indirect reports.  The Shift Manager will facilitate teams in his/her area of responsibility and conduct or coordinate necessary training for both the individual associates and the greater operations team.  This manager will implement and enforce established policy and strategy, including but not limited to Quality and HSE.

Continuous improvement is a key aspect of this role. It will be accomplished through developing and maintaining an organization that demonstrates improvement by continuously driving faults lower.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

Education & Professional Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

An undergraduate degree, preferably in one of the Engineering, basic sciences or business-related disciplines.

OR 

The equivalent experience, defined as greater than 4 years of experience in a technical manufacturing continuous improvement environment, along with a High School Diploma.

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Advanced Degree

Knowledge / Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong Computer skills preferred (excel, MS Outlook, Word etc..)
• Excellent Communications Skills
• Leadership experience
• Ability to deliver critical performance feedback and hold associates accountable to business objectives.
• Manufacturing experience (knowledge of good manufacturing practices, HACCP, ISO standards); Food experience preferred
• Champion of safety with OSHA experience or certification preferred
• Ability to work any shift as needed
• Ability to tolerate an ambiguous environment.
• Successful completion of a drug and background screen.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of major functions within the plant and the ability to work directly with all levels and functions.
• Demonstrated experience working in Quality
• Demonstrated experience working in safety.
• Project Management
• Previous direct people leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in plant sanitation practices and procedures