Technologist, PPI

Mars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 71,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University access

Bonus opportunity

401k plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Mars in Chicago, IL is seeking a dedicated R&D Process Development professional to lead trials, develop processes, and improve COGS through root-cause analysis and SPC. You will collaborate with Quality, Supply, and Engineering to ensure product quality and food safety across the site.

This role requires an Associate degree with experience and offers opportunities to contribute to multi-site projects, lean initiatives, and ongoing process enhancements within a market-leading consumer goods

Qualifications

• Associate degree with 2-3 years of technical/manufacturing experience.
• Willing to travel up to 15%.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Food Process Eng or related R&D discipline preferred.
• Multi-site working experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support line trials and process capability evaluations.
• Quantify key process and packaging parameters using SPC data analysis at pilot and factory scale.
• Implement scalable operating specifications with Product Development and Process Development.
• Provide SPC system support to Supply, Quality, Process Development & Product Development.
• Work with Lean Thinking principles and value-added engineering on process improvements.
• Support scale-up and technology introduction into supply chain; participate in CI discussions.

Skills

SPC analysis

Lean thinking

Quality systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Chemical/Food Process Eng

Tools

Statistical tools

Job description

Job Description

This position will be the main support for all R&D activities within their respective site including but not limited to the trials and start-ups of new products, packaging, and raw materials. This position will lead process development activities for basic new product development projects that do not include major new ingredient streams and new technologies. In addition, this position will also implement sustainable process improvement initiatives & COGS through the use of root cause and statistical analysis tools and be the Process representative in site HACCP and Risk Assessments at their respective site. This role requires ability to use and apply basic knowledge of Quality & Engineering disciplines including Statistical Process Control, to execute activities aligned with the overall Petcare R&D strategy. Significant collaboration is expected with Quality, Supply and Engineering including CVS support.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate’s degree with 2-3 years technical/manufacturing experience or equivalent
• Ability to travel up to 15%

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Food Process Engineering or related R&D discipline (Food Science, Animal Science, Packaging Science, Microbiology).
• Multi-site working experience
• Proven creative, value-added, results producer

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Support the effective execution of line trials and process capability evaluations.
• Support test plans and use SPC data analysis to quantify key process and packaging machine parameters and fundamental mechanisms at both pilot and factory scale.
• Implement scalable operating specifications collaboratively developed with Product Development and Process development to achieve exceptional product attribute targets and ensure superior product quality and food safety.
• Provide SPC System support to Supply, Quality, Process Development & Product Development on existing processes.
• Basic understanding of Lean Thinking principles and Value-Added Engineering.
• Work as part of the R&D team to support the scale-up risk and introduction of technology into supply chain.
• Pursue process improvement opportunities as agreed upon and prioritized by the Process Development Manager & COGS Team, across the factory network focused on reducing waste, downtime and/or energy usage and/or increasing production rates.
• Participate R&D at site FMOS meetings, daily product quality cuttings, and CI discussions.
• Minor Project and Budget responsibilities are required with potential contractor and technician management responsibility.

What can you expect from Mars?

Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles. Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus. Mars does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment. The pay range listed is applicable to IL:USD 70,963.00 - USD 97,574.00

Mars is a family-owned business with more than $35 billion in global sales. We produce some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world’s pets through our nutrition, health and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, 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 our 140,000 Associates into taking action every day towards creating the world we want tomorrow.