Machine Operator - Nights

Mars•Aurora, NE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Mars Petcare is seeking a Machine Operator - Technician (Making/Packing) to join our night shift production team in Aurora, Nebraska. This role is ideal for hands-on technical problem solvers looking for a stable, high-paying career with a global industry leader. We welcome experienced manufacturing professionals, skilled industrial technicians, and transitioning military personnel. Mars values a safety-first mindset, technical diagnostics, and team coordination, offering comprehensive training to translate military mechanical and operational skills into a successful civilian career.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent civilian/military education.
Passion to work and learn in a fast-paced manufacturing environment (2+ years of manufacturing machinery operation preferred, but equivalent mechanical/technical military experience is highly valued).
Strong communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills.
Ability to stand on a concrete floor for extended periods.
Physical mobility to bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, and climb stairs.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to obtain and maintain OSHA forklift certification (Mars will provide full on-site licensing and training for forklift assignments).
Willingness to wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hair net, bump cap, ear plugs, safety shoes, and uniform.

Nice To Haves

Equivalent mechanical/technical military experience is highly valued.

Responsibilities

Serve as the system expert for high-speed making and packing equipment.
Safely and efficiently operate advanced packaging and processing machinery to meet daily production goals.
Assess equipment reliability, perform routine preventative maintenance (PMs), make mechanical adjustments, and troubleshoot malfunctions to the root-cause level.
Conduct standard quality control checks, including metal detection, date code verification, item number checks, and critical control point (CCP/oPRP) audits.
Load packaging materials, clear equipment jams, reset machine faults, and lead seamless product changeovers.
Utilize basic computer systems to record production metrics and maintain clean, accurate shift documentation.
Maintain a safe work environment by strictly adhering to personal safety practices and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance.
Competitive base pay.
Annual company bonus potential.
Exceptional 401(k) company match.
Up to three weeks of paid vacation (immediately eligible based on hire date).
12 Paid Holidays per year.
Accrued Sick Pay.
Paid Maternity & Parental Leave.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
Best-in-class learning and development support, including access to in-house Mars University.