Job Description:
The Manufacturing Continuous Improvement Manager, known internally as the Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) Manager, is accountable for implementing and sustaining Mars Supply Excellence and Total Productive Maintenance practices within an assigned production area at our Royal Canin manufacturing site in Lewisburg, Ohio.
This hands-on, plant-floor leadership role drives improvements in equipment reliability, operational performance, and associate capability. You will use production data to identify losses, establish priorities, lead structured problem-solving, and implement sustainable improvements that reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and strengthen safety and quality performance.
You will partner closely with Production Leaders, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and frontline associates to embed Daily Management and Autonomous Maintenance practices into everyday operations. You will also directly lead and develop three Area Coordinators, providing coaching, direction, performance feedback, and accountability.
What are we looking for?
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or a related technical field
- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, engineering, maintenance, reliability, or continuous improvement
- Hands-on experience implementing Total Productive Maintenance and Autonomous Maintenance practices in a manufacturing environment
- Experience progressing Autonomous Maintenance through Step 3 and supporting or leading TPM pillar implementation
- Demonstrated experience identifying and eliminating production losses using data, root-cause analysis, and structured problem-solving
- Experience leading and developing others through coaching, performance feedback, direction, and accountability
- Strong project-management skills with the ability to establish priorities, manage action plans, and deliver measurable results
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or comparable continuous improvement certification is preferred
What will be your key responsibilities?
- Lead the implementation and continued maturity of Mars Supply Excellence and TPM practices within the assigned production area
- Own and strengthen Daily Management Systems, including Changeover, Centerlines, Clean, Inspect and Lubricate, and Anomaly Handling
- Lead Daily Area Value Stream connection-point meetings and support effective Daily Direction Setting
- Analyze production and equipment-performance data to identify critical losses, recurring downtime, process variation, and improvement opportunities
- Translate loss analysis into focused 30-, 60-, and 90-day action plans with clear priorities, ownership, and performance measures
- Lead Autonomous Maintenance process-improvement teams focused on restoring equipment conditions, improving operating standards, and eliminating recurring losses
- Improve the accuracy and integrity of Line Event Data Systems so performance decisions are based on complete and reliable information
- Lead structured problem-solving and continuous improvement activities using TPM, Lean, Kaizen, DMAIC, SMED, FMEA, value-stream mapping, and other applicable tools
- Provide direction, coaching, development, and performance support to three Area Coordinators
- Coach Production Leaders, Area Coordinators, and frontline associates on Lean thinking, standard work, problem-solving, process discipline, and loss-elimination practices
- Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, and Quality to integrate TPM and equipment-reliability priorities into the operating system
- Support MSE pillar leaders by developing standards, analytics, training materials, and improvement plans
- Build capability across the production area by developing and delivering practical TPM, Autonomous Maintenance, and continuous improvement training
- Facilitate Kaizen events and other focused improvement activities that engage associates, transfer knowledge, and deliver measurable operational and financial results
- Champion Factory Mars Operating System and Run to Target practices while supporting Safety, Quality, Service, Cost, and People objectives
What can you expect from Mars?
- Work with diverse and talented associates guided by the Five Principles of Mars
- Join a purpose-driven company working to build the world we want tomorrow, today
- Receive best-in-class learning and development support, including access to Mars University
- Make a visible impact within a world-class manufacturing operation
- Build your career within one of the world’s most recognized food and pet care companies
- Receive competitive compensation, an annual incentive opportunity, and a comprehensive benefits package
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Food Engineering, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline
- Minimum three years of manufacturing, engineering, continuous improvement, project leadership, or operations leadership experience
- Demonstrated success implementing and sustaining continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable business results
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause problem-solving skills
- Ability to influence others, drive change, and build strong partnerships across functions
- Experience within food, beverage, pet food, consumer packaged goods, or high-speed manufacturing environments
- Experience leading projects, teams, or cross-functional initiatives
- Knowledge of TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Autonomous Maintenance, Manufacturing/Operational Excellence systems; experience with Power BI, SAP, and manufacturing performance analytics tools
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
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Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
