Job Description:
Segment: Food & Nutrition
Location: Oud-Beijerland
Contract type: fulltime, permanent
At Mars Food & Nutrition, we are committed to delivering better food today and building a better tomorrow. As Operations Manager, you play a key role in bringing this purpose to life by leading our manufacturing and on-site logistics operations, ensuring the safe, efficient and cost-effective production of high-quality products.
In this role, you lead with a strong focus on people, fostering an environment where associates feel empowered, engaged and supported in their development. You drive continuous improvement, performance and quality, while embedding operational excellence across all areas of the site.
As part of the site leadership team, you collaborate closely with Safety, Quality, Technical, R&D and Commercial teams. Together, you deliver on business priorities and contribute to the long-term growth and success of the Food & Nutrition segmen
- Lead manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while meeting quality, service, and performance targets.
- Drive operational excellence by championing the site's operational framework, continuous improvement initiatives, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and other performance enhancement programs.
- Lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams by fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Ensure the highest standards of food safety, product quality, HACCP compliance, health and safety, and regulatory adherence across all operations.
- Establish and monitor operational goals, budgets, KPIs, and performance standards, taking corrective actions as needed to achieve business objectives.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial teams to implement process improvements, drive innovation, and deliver strategic business priorities.
- Oversee technical troubleshooting, maintenance activities, and technology advancement initiatives to improve operational reliability, efficiency, and product quality.
- Contribute to site and value stream strategy as a member of the leadership team and act on behalf of the Plant Director when required.
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Food Science or Business-related studies.
- Minimum 8 years of manufacturing or operations experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial role.
- Experience and passion driving Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Operational Excellence, or equivalent methodologies.
- Technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, controls and products.
- Knowledge of food safety, quality systems, HACCP, and regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrated people leadership and team management skills.
- Knowledge of HSE requirements and employment legislation.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels and across functions.
- Fluency in English and Dutch is required.
- 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.
- A strong focus on 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.
Skills Required
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Food Science or Business-related studies
- Minimum 8 years of manufacturing or operations experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial role
- Experience and passion driving Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Operational Excellence, or equivalent methodologies
- Technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, controls and products
- Knowledge of food safety, quality systems, HACCP, and regulatory compliance
- Demonstrated people leadership and team management skills
- Knowledge of HSE requirements and employment legislation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Fluency in English and Dutch
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.
