Site Technical Manager

Mars Incorporated in; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Petcare in Fort Smith, Arkansas, seeks a Site Technical Manager to lead engineering, maintenance, reliability, controls, automation, utilities and site infrastructure for a highly automated operation.

You will manage a team of five Associate Technical Managers and 100+ engineers and technicians, guide investments, and drive asset reliability and continuous improvement across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 8+ years in manufacturing engineering, maintenance, reliability, or technical leadership.
• 5+ years leading other leaders and large technical teams.
• Experience developing and executing site-level engineering, maintenance, reliability or asset management strategies.
• Strong knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance, RCA, asset lifecycle management and CI.
• Experience leading major capital projects and managing capital/operating budgets.
• Strong business judgment and cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Set and execute the site's long-term technical strategy across engineering, maintenance, reliability, controls, automation, utilities and infrastructure.
• Lead five Associate Technical Managers and 100+ maintenance, engineering and technical staff; coach and plan succession.
• Own the site's reliability and asset management strategy, including maintenance, asset health, RCA and lifecycle planning.
• Lead the site's Planned Maintenance Pillar; improve equipment ownership, reduce downtime and increase OEE.
• Develop and lead the site's capital investment strategy with budgeting, governance and execution.
• Provide strategic oversight for controls, automation, utilities and OT; evaluate new technologies.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Safety, R&D and Supply Chain to address risks and meet Mars standards.
• Serve as a Site Leadership Team member to influence investments and shape long-term strategy.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

Maintenance leadership

Reliability engineering

Asset management

Budgeting

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Root cause analysis

Capital projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

The Site Technical Manager is the senior technical leader for our Fort Smith manufacturing site, home to more than 700 Associates. In this role, you’ll set the strategy for engineering, maintenance, reliability, controls, automation, utilities and site infrastructure across a large, highly automated manufacturing operation.

You’ll directly lead five Associate Technical Managers and provide strategic direction to an organization of more than 100 maintenance, engineering and technical Associates. As a key member of the Site Leadership Team, you’ll guide major investment decisions, develop technical talent and build the capabilities needed to support the site's continued growth and long-term performance.

This is an opportunity to make a significant impact by strengthening asset reliability, advancing manufacturing technology and building a high-performing technical organization at one of Mars Petcare's largest manufacturing sites.

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a closely related technical field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing engineering, maintenance, reliability or technical leadership within a complex manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including experience leading other leaders and developing large technical teams.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing site-level engineering, maintenance, reliability or asset management strategies.
• Strong knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance, equipment reliability, root cause analysis, asset lifecycle management and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading major capital projects and managing significant capital and operating budgets.
• Strong business judgment, communication and change leadership skills, with the ability to influence across functions and at all levels of an organization.

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Set and execute the site's long-term technical strategy across engineering, maintenance, reliability, controls, automation, utilities and infrastructure. Translate business priorities into clear plans that support safety, quality, service, cost, sustainability and future growth.
• Lead five Associate Technical Managers and provide strategic direction to an organization of more than 100 maintenance, engineering and technical Associates. Build organizational capability through coaching, workforce planning, technical development, succession planning and clear accountability.
• Own the site's reliability and asset management strategy, including preventive and predictive maintenance, asset health, breakdown elimination, root cause analysis and long-term equipment lifecycle planning. Use performance data to identify losses, prioritize resources and deliver sustainable improvements.
• Lead the site's Planned Maintenance Pillar and strengthen maintenance systems, processes and technical standards. Partner with Operations to improve equipment ownership, reduce unplanned downtime and increase overall equipment performance.
• Develop and lead the site's capital investment strategy, including project prioritization, budgeting, governance and execution. Ensure capital projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget, with equipment designed for reliability, maintainability, efficiency and long-term value.
• Provide strategic oversight for controls, automation, utilities, infrastructure and operational technology. Evaluate new technologies and engineering solutions that improve performance, strengthen site capability and support future growth.
• Partner closely with Operations, Quality, Safety, R&D and Supply Chain leaders to address operational risks, improve manufacturing performance and ensure technical activities meet Mars standards, regulatory requirements, food safety expectations and recognized engineering practices.
• Serve as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, bringing technical expertise and sound business judgment to plant-wide decisions. Champion continuous improvement, influence investment priorities and help shape the site's long-term strategy.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with talented associates in a collaborative and purpose-driven environment guided by the Five Principles of Mars.
• Make a visible impact on a world-class manufacturing operation.
• Access industry-leading learning and development opportunities through Mars University.
• Build your career within one of the world's most recognized food and pet care companies.
• Competitive compensation, annual incentive opportunity, and comprehensive benefits package.