Area Manager

Mars • Fort Smith, AR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Area Manager owns the safety culture and the responsibility to ensure safety of those in their organization by monitoring and correcting unsafe conditions. They also own the quality culture to ensure 100% right the first-time and that world class consumer complaints rates are upheld.
The Area Manager has responsibility for delivering on Customer Service targets, own the performance management and development of the associates in their organization, and are responsible for building an effective team and coordinating communications within the production line and across all shifts.
The Area Manager has 24 hour/7 day a week, responsibility and accountability for the business results and capability of area assigned. This manager of managers is responsible for delivering operational targets and leading an engaged team of shift-based leaders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least 3 years of direct people leadership experience.
• 5 or more years’ business experience working in a Continuous Improvement Manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Ability to effectively deploy training strategies and to directly train others.
• Understanding of major functions within the plant and the ability to work directly with all levels and functions.
• Working knowledge of other departments (Safety, Engineering, P&O, Quality, R&D, etc.) and their relationship to Manufacturing.
• Knowledge of applicable governmental regulations.
• High level of analytical thinking and communication skills.
• Recognition of different perspectives and ability to interact with healthy challenge.

Responsibilities

• Develops the Area Master Plan and 90-Day Plan to address losses and build Associate capability on Daily Management Systems, including but not limited to Clean, Inspect, and Lubricate, Centerlines, 5S, and Abnormality Handling.
• Provides on the floor coaching of equipment owners across all shifts.
• Attends the Area Connection Point Meetings 2/3 & 4.
• Anticipates change and develops plans to effectively navigate while delivering results.
• Makes quick and effective decisions and accepts responsibility for those decisions and delivers on commitment.
• Conducts associate performance reviews, development planning and impact sessions.
• Develops associates for current and future roles to aid in site and business succession planning.
• Is a leader for the site leadership team and works with other department managers to effectively implement the site strategy.
• Conversion - Manage the efforts of operating teams across shifts for an Area or Line in the efficient conversion of materials into quality products in a safe, secure and sanitary manner within the product design specifications and budgets.
• 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, and give input and recommendations for such changes by using a Continuous Improvement mindset
• Delivering area requirements by influencing and gaining co-operation from other departments (Engineering, Quality Services, Commercial and Scheduling/Logistics).
• Mars Supply Excellence – Lead MSE Pillar; Leads teams through Autonomous Maintenance (AM) Steps 1 -7 to support the implementation of Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) across Area shifts; Lead key connection points and own reliability data collection validity.
• Develops and executes elements of the 90-Day Plan to address losses and build capability in associates
• Understands losses in their area and prioritizes resources to reduce them
• Accountable for supporting all Innovation and Capital Projects in their area
• Coaching – Coach Production Leaders and Technical resources in order to build their functional and leadership capabilities and to drive accountability in Safety, Quality and Food Safety, Autonomous Maintenance, and team engagement.
• Line/Area Operations – Support and guide Production Leaders in coordinating materials, staffing and resources to support line operation and changeovers.
• Associate Advocacy - Proactively manage associate relations issues, Guide, direct, and coach line managers in the hiring, training, development and motivation of front-line Operations associates
• Engagement - Drive Associate engagement through a foundation of HPC teamwork and individual accountability. Guide Production Leaders in development of Impact Plans for their teams.
• 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 level across shifts.
• Associate Safety -Analyzes risk across shifts and identifies countermeasures to address; drives a relentless focus on safety among team of people leaders and down through Area organization
• Goal Setting and Measurement - Utilizing Operations teams, establish area performance standards and goals based on site and value stream department goals and strategies; measure, control, take corrective action and report results as appropriate in all areas of responsibility. Annually assist in development of area budgets and KPI targets.
• Troubleshooting - Manage/guide the technical area coverage resources for the troubleshooting and repair of process/packaging equipment problems, with the objective of effectively utilizing these resources to achieve desired performance levels.
• Escalations - Proactively identify risks and opportunities and prioritize and assign resources against escalated issues. Serve as the point of escalation for Shift-Based Leaders when additional guidance, support, prioritization, and/or decision-making are needed.
• Communications - Ensure that open, proactive, and effective communications are established and that opportunities to broaden the scope and responsibility of Operations teams/associates are undertaken. The Area Manager is the key resource to deliver regular business performance updates.
• Technology Advancement - Advise the site Leadership Team when opportunities exist for moving the area forward in technological change. Recommend improvements, which would result in new and improved equipment and or methods to minimize production costs and improve quality.
• Area Strategy - Participate with other Operations support associates in the development and implementation of short- and long-term improvement strategies that will enable more effective and efficient Area performance.
• Recruiting and Onboarding - Responsible for partnering with Talent Acquisition to recruit and select associates for operational leadership and continuous improvement roles, and responsible to onboard associates effectively.

Benefits

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees