Shift Manager (Whitcomb)

Mars • Kansas City, MO

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Mars Petcare is seeking an operational leader to join our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a Shift Manager. In this critical, front-line leadership role, you will direct night-shift operations to deliver high-quality pet care products safely and efficiently. Leading an average of 15 shift associates, you will serve as a coach, team-builder, and operational strategist. You will coordinate short-term activities on the floor while collaborating with the 24-hour Area Managership Team to implement the Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) program and continuous improvement projects.

Requirements

• Undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree OR equivalent experience (defined as a High School Diploma/GED combined with 4+ years of experience in a technical manufacturing, continuous improvement, or military leadership environment).
• Demonstrated capability in leading, training, and developing others (previous direct people management experience is highly valued).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey critical expectations clearly and concisely.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety/sanitation practices.
• Proficiency in digital administrative tools (MS Office Suite, email, and production databases).
• Comfort leading teams and making critical decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Nice To Haves

• Prior supervisory experience in a food production, FMCG, or highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Functional knowledge of HACCP concepts and OSHA regulations (OSHA certification is a plus).
• Experience with TPM, Lean Manufacturing, or Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) methodology.
• Strong technical or mechanical aptitude to guide on-shift troubleshooting of packaging/processing machinery.

Responsibilities

• Direct, motivate, and coach a night-shift team of approximately 15 operations associates to build functional capabilities and drive accountability.
• Manage associate relations, facilitate training/cross-training strategies, and support individual career growth plans.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to recruit, select, and effectively onboard new operations associates.
• Manage the efforts of multi-line, area, or technology operating teams on the night shift to efficiently convert raw materials into safe, high-quality products.
• Coordinate materials, staffing, and resources to support line operations and product changeovers.
• Proactively identify operational risks and reactively lead on-shift incident resolution and escalations.
• Lead and support the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) on your shift.
• Collaborate with the Area Managership Team to create and execute the reliability strategy for your area of responsibility.
• Enforce established operational standards on shift through effective communication, change management, and consistent coaching.
• Ensure safe working conditions, behaviors, and mindsets by directly implementing Mars Safety programs.
• Champion and enforce HACCP requirements, GMPs, plant sanitation practices, and regulatory standards to ensure defect-free production.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance starting on Day One.
• Competitive base salary, shift differential, and annual variable bonus earning potential.
• An exceptional company match of up to 6% on your 401(k).
• 3 weeks of vacation (pro-rated from hire date), 11 paid holidays, and accrued Sick Pay.
• Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental/Maternity Leave and tuition reimbursement.
• Product discounts on our beloved pet care brands, plus dog-friendly resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager