Job Description:
For our legacy plant in Viersen we are seeking an experienced Value Stream Manager/Operations Manager / Production Manager to lead and optimize end-to-end manufacturing operations within our chocolate factory. In this role, you will be responsible for the performance of three different production lines, ensuring excellence across safety, quality, delivery, and cost. You will also be responsible for driving part of the operational excellence program and contributing to the successful commissioning of new production equipment.
You will lead cross-functional teams including operations, technical leadership, and business support roles, driving alignment between production execution and business objectives.
This is a senior role with significant responsibility, offering the opportunity to influence operational performance and continuous improvement initiatives at scale as well as influencing the people and engagement agenda of the site. You will be an important part of the site leadership team and serve as a back-up for the plant manager.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate production teams across all shifts within the value stream. This team consists of production teams, an operational excellence team, a production scheduling team, a technical lead, a start-up lead and a training team (10 direct, more than 200 indirect)
- Own the operational excellence program for the production teams (autonomous maintenance, focused improvement, training)
- Drive performance across key metrics: safety, quality, delivery, cost and reliability
- Plan, direct, and monitor manufacturing activities to meet specifications, schedules, and cost targets
- Oversee production processes such as assembly, processing, packaging, and material handling
- Set priorities to ensure timely and efficient completion of operational targets
- Collaborate closely with maintenance, engineering, quality and supply chain to align production plans
- Manage production scheduling, labor allocation, and resource planning
- Apply structured problem-solving to resolve operational challenges effectively
- Lead, coach, and develop team members, including technical leaders and supervisors
- Secure robust talent pipeline for the operations team
- Master the engagement of the teams
- Drive future plannings such as automation and digitalisation
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence
Your Profile
- Proven experience in manufacturing, plant operations, or supply chain management
- University degree in supply chain, engineering, business or similar
- Strong leadership experience managing large teams in a production environment
- Deep understanding of end-to-end manufacturing and value stream concepts
- Experience in production planning, performance management, and continuous improvement
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders
- Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence methodologies is an advantage
- Experience in leading large and multi-level teams
- Fluency in German and business proficiency in English required.
- Strong people focus and successful talent development
What can you expect from Mars?
- 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.
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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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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.
