Production Lead (Milz)

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Aurora (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision & Life

401k match

Vacation & Holidays

Job summary

Mars Petcare is seeking a Production Lead at the Aurora, NE plant to manage afternoon shift operations and drive safe, high‑quality, cost‑effective production. You will lead about 15 associates, coach talent, and coordinate line changes while aligning with the Mars Supply Excellence program.

The role emphasizes safety, HACCP compliance, and continuous improvement within a 24/7 manufacturing environment. A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required, with opportunities for growth and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of experience in a technical manufacturing/continuous improvement environment.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and HACCP concepts.
• Experience leading a shift-based team and driving safety, quality, and cost targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop production associates on shift to meet safety, quality, and productivity goals.
• Coordinate line operations, staffing and resources for changeovers.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and track area performance.
• Coach operators to build leadership capabilities and accountability.
• Partner with Area Leadership to implement Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) programs.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Continuous improvement

Safety culture

Operational excellence

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description:

Job: Production Lead

Shift: Afternoons

Location: Mars Petcare (Aurora, NE)

Mars Petcare is seeking an Production Lead to join our exciting pet food business at a manufacturing plant in Aurora, NE. We focus on the unique needs of cats and dogs. Our obsession with detail allows us to deliver precise, effective nutrition and help them become their magnificent best.

As part of our overall total compensation package, Mars Petcare offers a competitive benefits package to all associates: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and 401k match. Associates are also immediately eligible (based on hire date) for up to three weeks of vacation, 12 Paid Holidays per year, Sick Pay, Maternity & Parental Leave, and annual bonus earning potential, plus many other ancillary benefits not listed here.

The Production Lead is a shift-based, front-line operations people Lead who efficiently improves Quality, Human Safety, and Product Cost Conversion while Engaging and Developing talent. The Production Leads are responsible for delivering operational targets and leading teams of, on average, 15 production associates. The Production Lead drives safety, quality, continuous improvement, performance management, associate development, team engagement, and operating results for their assigned area through shift-based leadership of a line or area that exists within a larger Value Stream organization.

This leader will coordinate the short-term activities of the area within established guidelines and standards to produce the highest quality, lowest cost product most safely and efficiently while also partnering with the other members of the 24-hour Area Leadership Team to deliver area continuous improvement and Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) program implementation. The Production Lead is responsible for building an effective team in his/her shift and in his/her area of responsibility and for managing the training strategy for both the individual associates and the team. This leader will implement and enforce established policy and area and organizational strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conversion - Manage the efforts of multi-line, area, or technology operating teams on one shift in efficiently converting materials into quality products in a safe, secure, and sanitary manner within the product design specifications.
• Change Agent - Implement changes in methods, equipment, systems, and organization, as needed, to ensure that the objectives of the line/area are met and give input and recommendations for such changes by using a continuous improvement mindset.
• Mars Supply Excellence – Lead or participate in one or more MSE Pillars; Lead and support the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) in area of responsibility; Lead key connection points and own reliability data collection accuracy.
• Area Ownership – Collaborate with the rest of the Area Leadership Team (Area Leader or Continuous Improvement Engineer, Continuous Improvement Specialist, Maintenance Coordinator) to create and execute the reliability strategy for the area of responsibility.
• Coaching – Coach operators to build their functional and leadership capabilities and to drive accountability in safety, Quality and Food Safety, Autonomous Maintenance, and team engagement.
• Line Operations - Coordinate materials, staffing, and resources to support line operation and changeovers.
• Standards Implementation and Adherence – Ensure standards are implemented on shift and in areas of responsibility through effective communication, change management, consistent reinforcement, coaching, guidance, and accountability measures.
• Associate Safety – Ensure safe working conditions, behaviors, and mindsets by directly implementing Mars Safety programs and driving a relentless focus among a team of operators.
• 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 leader owns ongoing training and championing of quality goals and improvements at the Area Shift level.
• Associate Advocacy - Manage associate relations issues and guide and direct the hiring, training, retraining, development, and motivation of Operations associates following self-managed, team-working principles with a minimum degree of guidance from the Area Leader or Value Stream Leader.
• Engagement - Responsible for facilitating and driving an environment of high associate engagement on the team.
• Goal Setting and Measurement - With the general guidance of the Value Stream or Area Leader and/or the support of the Continuous Improvement Engineer, establish line and individual performance standards and goals, and measure, control, take corrective action, and report results as appropriate.
• Troubleshooting – Utilize the technical resources on shift for the preventive maintenance, repair and troubleshooting of process/packaging equipment problems, to effectively use these resources to achieve desired performance levels.
• Escalations - Proactively identify risks and opportunities and reactively lead on-shift incident resolution when operators require additional support. Prioritize, assign resources against escalated issues, and make decisions to resolve escalated issues.
• Communications - Ensure that open communications are established and that opportunities to broaden the scope and responsibility of Operations teams/associates are undertaken.
• Technology Advancement - Advise when opportunities exist for moving the line/area forward in technological change.
• Operations Strategy - Participate in implementing improvement strategies to help the line/area perform more effectively in the near term.
• Recruiting and Onboarding – Responsible for partnering with Talent Acquisition to recruit and select associates for operations roles and responsible for onboarding associates effectively.
• Associate Development – Develop associates by mentoring and supporting their development plans and helping them grow in functional capability and long-term career.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

• Education & Professional Qualification
• An undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree

OR

• The equivalent experience is defined as greater than four years of experience in a technical manufacturing continuous improvement environment, along with a High School Diploma.

Preferred:

• A degree in one of the Engineering, basic sciences, or business-related disciplines.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience and demonstrated capability in leading others.
• Previous direct people leadership experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Ability to convey communications clearly and concisely.
• Understanding of major functions within the plant and the ability to work directly with all levels and functions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, etc.), internet software, and e-mail.
• Ability to succeed in an ambiguous environment.
• Functional knowledge and understanding of HACCP concepts.
• Experience in plant sanitation practices and procedures.
• Ability to deliver critical performance feedback and hold associates accountable to business objectives.
• Champion of safety with OSHA experience or certification preferred.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®., SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.