Shift Manager

**Job Description:** **Job Title: Shift Manager** **Location: North Kansas City, Mo (Mars Petcare)** **Shift: Night Shift (6PM - 6:30AM)** **Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent** Mars Petcare is seeking an operational leader to join our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a Shift Manager. In this critical, front-line leadership role, you will direct night-shift operations to deliver high-quality pet care products safely and efficiently. Leading an average of 15 shift associates, you will serve as a coach, team-builder, and operational strategist. You will coordinate short-term activities on the floor while collaborating with the 24-hour Area Managership Team to implement the Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) program and continuous improvement projects. **Why Transitioning Military & Veterans Thrive Here** At Mars, we recognize that the leadership, adaptability, and mission-first mindset developed in the military are world-class assets. * Recognized Leadership: We fully value military rank and operational leadership. Roles such as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs, Petty Officers) or Junior Officers directly translate to our shift leadership needs. * Structured & Purpose-Driven: The discipline, safety-first culture, and team accountability found in military operations align perfectly with our manufacturing environments. * Upskilling & Growth: Through Mars University and technical training, we invest in your continued development to help you build a lifelong civilian career. **What We Offer (Total Rewards & Benefits)** At Mars, we support our leaders with a premier compensation and benefits package starting on day one: * Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance starting on Day One. * Financial Peace of Mind: Competitive base salary, shift differential, and annual variable bonus earning potential. * Retirement Planning: An exceptional company match of up to 6% on your 401(k). * Generous Paid Time Off: 3 weeks of vacation (pro-rated from hire date), 11 paid holidays, and accrued Sick Pay. * Unbeatable Family Support: Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental/Maternity Leave and tuition reimbursement. * Pet-Friendly Perks: Product discounts on our beloved pet care brands, plus dog-friendly resources. **Key Responsibilities** **People Leadership & Associate Development:** * Direct, motivate, and coach a night-shift team of approximately 15 operations associates to build functional capabilities and drive accountability. * Manage associate relations, facilitate training/cross-training strategies, and support individual career growth plans. * Partner with Talent Acquisition to recruit, select, and effectively onboard new operations associates. **Operational Execution & Conversion:** * Manage the efforts of multi-line, area, or technology operating teams on the night shift to efficiently convert raw materials into safe, high-quality products. * Coordinate materials, staffing, and resources to support line operations and product changeovers. * Proactively identify operational risks and reactively lead on-shift incident resolution and escalations. **Continuous Improvement & MSE:** * Lead and support the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) on your shift. * Collaborate with the Area Managership Team to create and execute the reliability strategy for your area of responsibility. * Enforce established operational standards on shift through effective communication, change management, and consistent coaching. **Safety, Food Safety & Product Quality:** * Ensure safe working conditions, behaviors, and mindsets by directly implementing Mars Safety programs. * Champion and enforce HACCP requirements, GMPs, plant sanitation practices, and regulatory standards to ensure defect-free production. **Position Requirements & Qualifications** **Minimum Qualifications:** * Education & Experience: Undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree OR equivalent experience (defined as a High School Diploma/GED combined with 4+ years of experience in a technical manufacturing, continuous improvement, or military leadership environment). * Leadership Capability: Demonstrated capability in leading, training, and developing others (previous direct people management experience is highly valued). * Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey critical expectations clearly and concisely. * Operational Knowledge: Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety/sanitation practices. * Digital Literacy: Proficiency in digital administrative tools (MS Office Suite, email, and production databases). * Adaptability: Comfort leading teams and making critical decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment. **Preferred Qualifications:** * Prior supervisory experience in a food production, FMCG, or highly regulated manufacturing environment. * Functional knowledge of HACCP concepts and OSHA regulations (OSHA certification is a plus). * Experience with TPM, Lean Manufacturing, or Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) methodology. * Strong technical or mechanical aptitude to guide on-shift troubleshooting of packaging/processing machinery. **Military & Veteran Leadership Equivalency Guide** At Mars, your operational command and personnel leadership are highly respected. If you served in any of the following leadership roles, your background is an exceptional fit for our Shift Manager position: * U.S. Army: Platoon Sergeant / Section Chief (E-7/E-8), Platoon Leader (O-1/O-2), Maintenance Officer (915A/91A), Supply/Logistics Manager (92A/92Y). _Your experience directing platoon-sized elements, enforcing safety/regulatory compliance, and coordinating mission-critical resources is a direct translation._ * U.S. Navy: Chief Petty Officer / Division Chief (E-7/E-8), Division Officer (O-1 to O-3), Logistics/Supply Officer, Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW). _Your experience leading divisions of 15+ sailors, running complex shipboard watches, and overseeing training schedules is highly valuable._ * U.S. Air Force: Flight Chief / Section Chief (E-7/E-8), Flight Commander (O-1 to O-3), Logistics Readiness Officer (21R), Maintenance Superintendent (2AXXX). _Your training in flight-line safety, standard operating procedures, and managing shift rotations directly aligns with our manufacturing floor._ * U.S. Marine Corps: Platoon Sergeant / Gunnery Sergeant (E-7/E-8), Platoon Commander / Company Executive Officer (O-1 to O-3), Maintenance Chief (E-7+), Logistics Officer (0402). _Your proven track record in commanding field teams, building unit cohesion, and driving operational accountability matches our team-working principles._ * U.S. Coast Guard: Chief Petty Officer (E-7/E-8), Division Officer/Chief of Division (O-1 to O-3). **About Mars, Incorporated** **Mars is a family-owned business with over 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®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA®, and Pet Partners™.** **The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom – inspire our more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.**