Continuous Improvement Specialist (Frink)

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Aurora (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Petcare – Aurora, Nebraska is seeking a Continuous Improvement Specialist to lead TPM-based loss elimination initiatives. You will partner with line operators and shift managers to standardize centerlines, perform root-cause analyses, and mentor teams in AM, FI, and FMOS practices.

Key duties include leading Kaizen events, maintaining data-driven performance metrics, and building training strategies with CI Engineers to advance continuous improvement across the line.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with TPM/Lean experience or 4+ years in maintenance/TPM programs.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; Lean/Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or CPI training is a plus.
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events and Centerline management.

Responsibilities

• Participate in FMOS tier meetings; collect data, track trends, report metrics.
• Act as SME for AM DMS components: CL, CIL, 5S, Abnormality Handling.
• Lead root-cause problem solving (5-Why, Fishbone, Kaizen events).
• Develop centerline standards and response rules for process variation.
• Perform AM DMS health checks and drive corrective actions.
• Train and coach operators and shift teams on TPM practices.
• Collaborate on training strategies and continuous improvement roadmaps.

Skills

Root cause analysis

Kaizen events

Train & coach operators

Team leadership

TPM / Lean manufacturing knowledge

Education

Associate degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business

Tools

AM DMS

FMOS

5S

Job description

Job Description:

Job: Continuous Improvement Specialist

Job Schedule: Full-Time, Days

Location: Mars Petcare – Aurora, Nebraska

The Continuous Improvement Specialist leads loss elimination initiatives within our Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) framework—our adaptation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). You will partner with line operators and shift managers to support Autonomous Maintenance (AM), Focused Improvement (FI), and Factory Operating Systems (FMOS), while standardizing machine centerlines, driving root-cause analysis, and mentoring operating teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively participate in daily FMOS tier meetings (DDS/CP2), maintaining data integrity, gathering line loss data, tracking trends, and reporting performance metrics.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for Autonomous Maintenance Daily Management Systems (AM DMS), including Centerline (CL), Clean-Inspect-Lubricate (CIL), 5S, and Abnormality Handling.
• Lead structured root-cause problem-solving efforts (5-Why, Fishbone, Kaizen events) to eliminate chronic equipment and process losses.
• Develop process control strategies, centerline standards, and out-of-control decision rules to enable line operators to respond quickly to process variations.
• Perform routine AM DMS Health Checks, identify operational gaps, and execute corrective action plans.
• Train, coach, and develop operators and shift teams to build equipment ownership and technical mastery.
• Partner with Shift Managers and Continuous Improvement Engineers to establish training strategies and continuous improvement roadmaps.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Requirements:

• Associate degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical field with at least 2 years of experience in a TPM / Lean manufacturing or military maintenance environment.

— OR —

• 4+ years of experience in manufacturing maintenance, military maintenance operations (e.g., Work Center Supervisor, Maintenance Chief, Maintenance Management Analyst), or formal Autonomous Work Team/TPM programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a technical discipline.
• Formal Lean / Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) or military Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) training.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating Kaizen events, CIL routines, and Centerline management systems.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and carry 10–50 lbs.
• Ability to push and pull 50–200 lbs.
• Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for extended periods (minimum 8 hours per shift).

MILITARY & VETERAN CANDIDATE SUMMARY

Mars values the leadership, discipline, operational readiness, and technical problem-solving skills developed during military service. If you have experience in maintenance scheduling, quality assurance, logistics/readiness operations, aviation maintenance, combat engineering, or maintenance data analysis, your skills directly transfer to our Continuous Improvement and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs.

Target Military Occupational Specialties (MOS / AFSC / Ratings):

• U.S. Army: 91 Series (91X Maintenance Supervisor, 91B, 91A Mechanical Maintenance), 12 Series (12A/12B Engineer Operations), 88 Series (88N Transportation/Logistics Management), and 92 Series (92A Automated Logistical Specialist).
• U.S. Navy: Aviation and Surface Maintenance Ratings (AD, AM, AT, MM, EN, GSM, GSE), Quality Assurance (QA) Inspectors, Work Center Supervisors, and 3-M Coordinators.
• U.S. Air Force: 2A Series (2A6X1 Aerospace Propulsion, 2A6X2 Aerospace Ground Equipment, 2A7X3 Aircraft Structural), 2R Series (2R0X1 Maintenance Management Analysis), and 2S / 2T Series (Materiel Management & Logistics).
• U.S. Marine Corps: 04 Series (0402 / 0411 Logistics and Maintenance Management), 13 Series (1302 / 1349 Engineer Equipment and Maintenance Operations), and 60 / 61 / 62 Series (Aircraft Maintenance Specialists).
• U.S. Coast Guard: Machinery Technicians (MK), Electrician’s Mates (EM), and Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AET / AMT).

ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in sales, producing globally recognized brands such as PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, and BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals. Mars operates across 80+ countries, guided by The Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom.