Utility Operator (Brooks)

Mars (New); Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Petcare (Greenies) in Kansas City, MO, is seeking a Utility Operator for dayshift in a climate-controlled manufacturing environment. The role emphasizes forklift operations, material handling, inventory tracking, and supporting packaging and production processes.

No prior manufacturing experience is required; military experience and technical aptitude are valued. The position involves coordinating temporary staff, ensuring food safety, and maintaining standards in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Forklift or MHE experience required.
• Strong verbal and written communication; ability to direct and guide temporary associates.
• Basic computer skills; iPads or mobile inventory tracking applications are a plus.
• Basic math and measuring skills; enjoys hands-on physical work and troubleshooting.
• Teamwork: able to work in a collaborative, structured team environment; coachable with a positive attitude.
• Adaptability: able to adjust to changing production schedules or tasks.
• Physical: lift up to 40 lbs; full mobility to climb stairs, ladders, and operate in confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Logistics & Material Handling: Move raw ingredients and work-in-progress products safely using forklifts, pallet jacks, and manual handling equipment. Build, fill, weigh, and label pallets and totes to prepare them for packaging or storage.
• Inventory & Operations Support: Conduct inventory audits, cycle counts, and administrative documentation to ensure supply accuracy. Provide informal leadership and direction to temporary associates throughout the daily production process.
• Quality, Safety, & Sanitation: Champion a strict Food Safety & Quality Culture; perform routine equipment sanitation and maintain a clean, food-safe manufacturing environment. Wear Mars-issued PPE.
• Preventative Maintenance: Conduct basic troubleshooting and preventative maintenance tasks on production machinery.

Skills

Forklift operation

Materials handling

Inventory tracking

Team coordination

Communication skills

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Mobile devices (iPad)

Job description

Job Description: Job: Utility Operator Shift: Days (6am – 6:30pm) Location: Mars Petcare (North Kansas City, MO) Position Type: Full-Time, Climate-Controlled Manufacturing Environment

About Mars Petcare (Greenies)

Mars Petcare (Greenies) is proud to hire, train, and support transitioning military service members and veterans. Being a Mars Associate is all about opportunity—the opportunity to transition your military leadership, discipline, and technical skills into challenging, meaningful work that shapes the world’s best-loved brands. At Mars, you will work with real purpose, supported by talented, collaborative teams from diverse backgrounds. We provide access to premier tools, technical training, and career pathing to ensure your civilian transition is a success. Being a Mars associate is more than a job—it’s the opportunity to start your tomorrow today.

Position Overview

The Utility Operator is responsible for general packaging, forklift operations, inventory tracking, administrative tasks, and supporting basic manufacturing production. This role has a strong focus on team coordination, physical logistics, and maintaining rigid food safety and quality standards. No previous commercial manufacturing experience is required; we highly value military experience, technical aptitude, leadership, and a strong work ethic.

What Are We Looking For?

• Minimum Requirements: Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Forklift Experience: Forklift or Material Handling Equipment (MHE) experience is required (military equipment licensing is fully transferrable).
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to direct and guide temporary associates.
• Technology: Basic computer skills—experience with iPads or mobile inventory tracking applications is a plus.
• Aptitude: Basic math and measuring skills; enjoys hands-on physical work and troubleshooting.
• Teamwork: Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, structured team environment; coachable with a positive attitude.
• Adaptability: High degree of resilience and adaptability to changing production schedules or tasks.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to safely lift up to 40 lbs. Full mobility to climb stairs, ladders, and operate safely in confined or elevated manufacturing spaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Logistics & Material Handling: Move raw ingredients and work-in-progress products safely using forklifts, pallet jacks, and manual handling equipment. Build, fill, weigh, and label pallets and totes to prepare them for packaging or storage.
• Inventory & Operations Support: Conduct inventory audits, cycle counts, and administrative documentation to ensure supply accuracy. Provide informal leadership and direction to temporary associates throughout the daily production process.
• Quality, Safety, & Sanitation: Champion a strict Food Safety & Quality Culture in actions, words, and spirit. Perform routine equipment sanitation and workspace organization to maintain a pristine, food-safe manufacturing environment. Wear standard Mars-issued uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Preventative Maintenance: Conduct basic troubleshooting and preventative maintenance tasks (CILs: Clean, Inspect, Lubricate) on production machinery.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Crosswalk

• U.S. Army MOS 92A (Automated Logistical Specialist): Exceptional alignment with warehouse operations, automated inventory tracking, loading/unloading, forklift operations, and equipment auditing.
• MOS 92Y (Unit Supply Specialist): Excellent transferrable skills in property accountability, supply chain management, shipping/receiving, and inventory control.
• MOS 68R (Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist): Direct translation to Mars’ strict food safety culture, sanitation audits, temperature checks, packaging inspections, and quality assurance.
• MOS 68J (Medical Logistics Specialist): Highly applicable background in medical/subsistence supply control, operating forklifts, loading/unloading, and inventory management.
• MOS 91B / 88M / 12N (Mechanical, Transportation, and Heavy Equipment Specialists): Directly translates to machinery operations, PMCS (Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services), mechanical troubleshooting, and safety protocols.
• U.S. Navy LS / LSS (Logistics Specialist / Logistics Specialist Submarine): Strong fit for inventory database management, warehouse operations, receipt/issue, supply chain audits, and hazardous material safety.
• HM (Hospital Corpsman - Preventive Medicine): Exceptional crossover for quality assurance, sanitation tracking, facility hygiene inspections, safety compliance, and food safety protocols.
• EO (Equipment Operator): Proven capability in heavy forklift operations, high safety standards, moving bulky materials, and equipment preventative maintenance.
• U.S. Air Force AFSC 2S0X1 (Materiel Management Specialist): Core skills map perfectly to warehousing functions, inventory control, automated logistics databases (ILS-S), and storage management.
• AFSC 2T1X1 / 3E2X1 (Ground Transportation / Pavements and Construction Equipment): Deep experience in heavy equipment/forklift operation, logistics transport, and routine preventative maintenance.
• AFSC 4E0X1 (Public Health Specialist): High-level training in food facility sanitary inspections, hazard identification, and contamination control protocols.
• U.S. Marine Corps MOS 3051 (Warehouse Specialist): Direct alignment with forklift operations, warehouse gear management, cargo staging, inventory cycle counts, and shipping/receiving.
• MOS 6672 (Aviation Supply Specialist): Strong expertise in material expediting, inventory accounting, warehouse pulling/delivering, and logistical auditing.
• MOS 3531 / 1345 (Motor Vehicle / Engineer Equipment Operator): Proficient in operating heavy tactical equipment, preventative maintenance (PMCS), and materials handling.

What Can You Expect From Mars?

A Mission-Driven Culture: Join a global family of over 130,000 diverse associates, all guided by our Five Principles (Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom).

Professional Development: Access to best-in-class learning and development programs from day one, including custom training via Mars University to help you build a long-term civilian career.

Competitive Compensation: An industry-leading salary, comprehensive medical/dental/vision benefits, a generous 401(k) matching program, and an annual company performance bonus.

Equal Opportunity Employer Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, 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.

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&Ms®, 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.