The Role
Leads site-wide transformational projects and integrates initiatives across plant, regional, and global functions. Contributes to site strategy, operational excellence, commissioning and validation, food safety, continuous improvement, change management, associate development, and performance measurement. Serves on the site leadership team, coordinates cross-functional stakeholders, communicates project progress, drives corrective actions, and may act on behalf of the Site Director. Requires production experience, managerial experience, project management expertise, and knowledge of GMP, TPM, and Lean methodologies.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description:
The PMO leads and integrates site transformational projects through site and regional functions. The projects are specific to the site strategy (project lead, site masterplan, leadership team member, coordination of site activities, liaise between local/regional/global teams), as well as changing dynamics to ensure site resources, capability and performance goals are met. The PMO will be an active leadership team member and contribute to the site strategy, OPEX roadmap(s), IBOs, MSE and associate development.
What are we looking for?
- An undergraduate degree or equivalent experience, preferably in Engineering, basic sciences or business-related disciplines
- 6 years’ experience in a Production/business experience
- Experience in a managerial role
- Project Management experience
- Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices
- Experience in TPM/Lean/Continuous Improvement methodology as a leader
- Ability to convey communications clearly and concisely.
- Understanding of major functions within the plant and the ability to work directly with all levels and functions.
- Successful completion of a drug and background screen
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced Degree
- Thorough technical knowledge of process, equipment, controls and products.
- Thorough knowledge of CVS
- Knowledge of Food and Drug Laws, OSHA requirements
- ADKAR Change Management
- Minimum 3-year experience in a food production environment
- Minimum 5 years in a Production Environment
- Minimum 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role
- Project Management/Project Management Certification
- Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, internet software, e-mail
- Ability to work any shift as needed.
What will be your key responsibilities?
- CVS – Understand/Contribute/Participate in Commissioning, Validation and Start Up (CVS) Team and process.
- Conversion – Contribute/participate in the daily operations challenges (through FMOS) as a thought partner and advisor to ensure the site overcomes challenges and drives results through a service mindset.
- Food Safety and Quality – contribute to Q&FS standards through leadership and participation in meetings, audits, etc. and contribute to projects and lead strategies as assigned that pertain to site Q&FS compliance and programs.
- Mars Supply Excellence – Advocate and actively support the site operating system (FMOS) and continuous improvement programs to effectively deliver business objectives and effectiveness. Participate in Value Stream information flow development and standard escalation processes as required. Proactively participate and coach site associates. Participate in at least 2 pillars and be the backup lead of 1 pillar. As a part of the site leadership team, actively lead and participate in site’s leadership pillar and contribute in the execution of the site’s compelling business need and supporting strategies.
- Change Agent - Recommend and implement changes in methods, equipment, systems, and organization, as needed, to assure that the objectives of the factory are met or exceeded. Deliver project objectives through leading and influencing to gain cooperation from other departments (Health, Safety & Environmental, Engineering, Quality & Food Safety, Finance, Commercial and Scheduling/Logistics). Participate with site leadership to execute changes across the site. Partner with regional functions to champion changes and projects that will drive the site SSIP at pace.
- Associate Advocacy - Drive Associate engagement through LS Pillar participation and the foundation of teamwork and individual accountability. Utilize the High-Performance Collaboration model as a method to drive team behavior both within projects and across the site. Be and advocate for development planning and succession planning sessions with the leadership team.
- Goal Setting and Measurement – Work with site leadership team to establish short- and long-term goals for site. Align on appropriate activities to achieve those goals. Establish project specific performance goals based on developed or assigned site related strategic projects; measure, control, take corrective action and report results as appropriate in all projects/strategies within responsibility. Annually assist in development of site strategy.
- Communications - Ensure that open communications are established within and across the various project teams and stakeholders. Keep the Site Director informed as needed of project status. Provide inputs per escalation protocols including up to VP of Manufacturing/Engineering, Planning Director, Segment Planner, Quality Director, Safety Director, IE Director, and Engineering Director.
- Site Strategy – Actively participate in the development of a 3-year rolling strategy for the site.
- Personal Development - Keep abreast of managerial and technical competencies both within and outside Royal Canin. Proactively seek opportunities and incorporate into annual development plans. Actively work with Site Director to pursue personal development opportunities.
- Site Management – This role is a member of the Site Leadership Team and as such must develop, execute, and maintain activities that drive overall site strategy. As a member of the Site Leadership Team, this person is also held responsible to act as a Senior Leader for the plant and for the business. The incumbent of this position must be prepared to act on behalf of the Site Director in his/her absence if assigned, i.e., protection of human and physical assets, Crisis Management leadership, addressing public relations issues, etc.
- Goal Setting and Measurement - Through extended project teams, establish performance goals based on site goals and strategies; measure, control, take corrective action and report results as appropriate in all areas of responsibility within projects.
- Communications - Ensure that open communications are established and that opportunities to broaden the scope and responsibility of teams/associates are undertaken. The Project Manager is the key resource to deliver transformational business performance updates.Strategy – Collaborate with functional teams and support associates in the implementation of improvement strategies that will help their specific functions perform more effectively in the short and long term.Personal Development - Keep abreast of managerial and technical competencies both within and outside Mars Petcare US.
What can you expect from Mars?
- Work with over 130,000 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.
Skills Required
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience, preferably in engineering, basic sciences, or business
- Six years of production or business experience
- Experience in a managerial role
- Project management experience
- Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices
- Leadership experience with TPM, Lean, or continuous improvement methodology
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
- Understanding of major plant functions and ability to work across levels and functions
- Successful completion of a drug and background screen
- Advanced degree
- Thorough technical knowledge of processes, equipment, controls, and products
- Thorough knowledge of CVS
- Knowledge of food and drug laws and OSHA requirements
- ADKAR Change Management knowledge
- At least three years of food production experience
- At least five years of production environment experience
- At least three years of supervisory or managerial experience
- Project management certification
- Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, internet software, and email
- Ability to work any shift as needed
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.
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The Company
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.
