Factory Activity Manager

Mars; Wodonga; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Pet Nutrition seeks a Factory Activity Manager to drive project delivery at the Wodonga site, spanning innovation, continuity, compliance and affiliate initiatives. You will coordinate across Operations, Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain and Quality to ensure timely execution and strong cross‑functional collaboration.

You will manage timelines, dependencies, and resources while building partnerships with ANZ stakeholders to align priorities with what the factory can deliver.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience in project, activity or process management within manufacturing, FMCG, supply chain or other complex operational environment.
• Dynamic and collaborative working style with the ability to build strong partnerships across functions and levels.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to create alignment when priorities compete.
• Systems & Digital Mindset: comfortable using systems, data and digital tools for project management and decision support.
• Action-oriented mindset with the confidence to own, solve problems and keep things moving.
• Strong organisation and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Practical approach to risk management and problem solving, with ability to identify issues early and develop workable solutions.
• A tertiary qualification in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Science or related discipline is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the factory execution of innovation, value leadership, business continuity, compliance and affiliate projects from concept through to implementation.
• Build and manage project timelines, ensuring requirements, dependencies and resources are clearly defined and tracked.
• Connect Operations, Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality and other functions to create alignment and momentum.
• Partner with Market Activity Managers and stakeholders across ANZ and affiliates to align priorities with delivery capability.
• Identify risks early, run factory risk assessments and develop practical mitigation and contingency plans.
• Support governance using Mars project and planning frameworks (QuEST, QES, S&OP+) for effective delivery and decisions.
• Manage launch readiness, including specifications, workflows and data for artwork, readiness and implementation.
• Capture learnings and continuously improve how projects are delivered.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder mgmt

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Systems thinking

Problem solving

Education

Business/Engineering/Supply Chain degree

Job description

Job Description:

Mars: Where your Tomorrow Starts Today!

Mars is a family-owned business that has been making products for people and their pets for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, NUTRI GRAIN®, COCO POPS®, PRINGLES®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, BEN’S ORIGINAL ® MASTERFOODS ® and ROYAL CANIN® ORIJEN® ACANA®. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on people and the planet.

Join us in building a sustainable future where people, communities, and the planet can truly thrive.

Location: Wodonga
Segment: Pet Nutrition
Function: Business Integration / Supply & Operations
Hours & Arrangement: Full-time
Reporting to: S&OP+ & PMO Director

At Mars Pet Nutrition, we are dedicated to creating A Better World for Pets. Our manufacturing hub in Wodonga is at the heart of delivering trusted pet care products across Australia, New Zealand and global markets.

We’re looking for a dynamic, collaborative and action-oriented Factory Activity Manager who thrives on bringing people together and turning business priorities into action.

This is one of the most connected roles on site. You’ll work across functions, build strong partnerships and bring diverse teams together to deliver innovation, business continuity, value leadership, compliance and other key factory projects. You’ll create clarity, navigate competing priorities and keep people moving towards a common outcome.

If you enjoy being in the middle of the action, building relationships and making things happen, this is a great opportunity to have a real impact across the Wodonga site.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Project Delivery: Own the factory execution of innovation, value leadership, business continuity, compliance and affiliate projects from concept through to implementation.
• Plan for Success: Build and manage project timelines, ensuring requirements, dependencies, critical paths and resource needs are clear and actively managed.
• Connect the Site: Bring together teams across Operations, Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality and other functions, creating alignment, accountability and momentum.
• Build Strong Partnerships: Partner with Market Activity Managers, project owners and stakeholders across ANZ and affiliate markets to align business priorities with what can practically be delivered by the factory.
• Manage Risk & Decisions: Identify risks early, facilitate factory risk assessments and develop practical mitigation and contingency plans. Provide clear visibility of project status, trade-offs, risks and decisions required.
• Drive Strong Project Governance: Use Mars project and planning frameworks, including QuEST, QES and S&OP+, to support effective project delivery and decision-making.
• Own Launch Readiness: Manage the specifications, workflows and launch data required to support artwork, operational readiness and successful implementation.
• Keep Improving: Capture project learnings, challenge inefficient ways of working and identify opportunities to continuously improve how we deliver activity.

What You’ll Bring

Above all, we’re looking for an exceptional stakeholder manager who builds trust quickly, enjoys working collaboratively and has the confidence to challenge constructively and drive outcomes.

• 2+ years’ experience in project, activity or process management, ideally within manufacturing, FMCG, supply chain or another complex operational environment.
• A dynamic and collaborative working style with the ability to build strong partnerships across functions and levels.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to create alignment when priorities compete.

• Systems & Digital Mindset: Confident using systems, data and digital tools to manage projects, create visibility and support decision-making. Curious and proactive in using AI and new technology to simplify work, solve problems and improve how projects are delivered.
• An action-oriented mindset and the confidence to take ownership, solve problems and keep things moving.
• Strong organisation and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and dependencies.
• A practical approach to risk management and problem solving, with the ability to identify issues early and develop workable solutions.
• A tertiary qualification in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain, Science or a related discipline is preferrred.

Why you’ll love working for Mars

• Purpose: Help craft beloved brands with a legacy of over 100 years of local manufacturing making products that people and pets will love all while helping to build a more sustainable future.
• People: A culture that values your contributions, fosters leadership, and recognises the impact you make. Your work truly matters here.
• Development: Shape your career with personalised development and real opportunities to grow from day one.
• Enjoy a team and business environment that is invested in helping you manage and grow your energy for work and life.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.