Job: Quality and Manufacturing Support Manager

Shift: Days

Location: Mars Petcare – Fort Smith, AR

Mars Petcare is seeking a Quality & Manufacturing Support Manager to join our exciting pet food business at a Fort Smith, AR, manufacturing plant. We focus on the unique needs of cats and dogs. Our obsession with detail allows us to deliver precise, effective nutrition and help them become their magnificent best.

As part of our overall total compensation package, Mars Petcare offers a competitive benefits package to all associates: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and 401k match. Associates are also immediately eligible (based on hire date) for up to three weeks of vacation, 12 Paid Holidays per year, Sick Pay, Maternity & Parental Leave, and annual bonus earning potential, plus many other ancillary benefits not listed here.

The primary purpose of this role is to manage and oversee the Quality and Manufacturing Technicians' performance in maintaining quality standards for raw materials, packs, the manufacturing process, finished goods, and hold management on their respective shifts by sampling, monitoring, and auditing each of these areas.

Technicians' performance of quality standards for raw materials and packs, the manufacturing process, finished goods, and hold management is maintained on their respective shifts by sampling and monitoring. This role partners with several different disciplines and must be able to provide accurate information when necessary. There are times when time is of the essence, so prioritizing work and communicating clearly is essential to success. Knowledge of how the manufacturing process works is key to making correct decisions. The secondary purpose of this role is to support the quality manager with other duties as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Support online risk decisions regarding pre/post-process assessments and respond to quality issues such as filing problems and commodity and packaging material problems. Enter packaging/commodity complaints and holds into the vendor assurance database.
• Supports Quality (non-food safety) decisions.
• Oversees finished product holds into ARK Hold Management System
• Oversees performance of product assessment panel on the weekends
• Design and coordinate training in all areas of quality to shift associates
• Oversees plant sampling, testing, and auditing on shift
• Partners with Shift Managers on troubleshooting expertise needed on-shift, across the site.
• Oversees collection of samples for materials analysis and the evaluation of holds
• Steward of protecting the integrity of the PRIMP, CAPA, and HACCP program
• Participates on LEAN and Continuous Improvement Teams as needed
• This position and all site associates are responsible for quality and food safety
• This position oversees quality and food safety control points and makes corrective actions to the process if needed.
• Know and understand the site’s CCPs and report any findings of deficiencies to the site’s quality manager or designee.

Education & Professional Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or 5 years of relevant experience
• Be able to obtain certification from the FDA Better Processing Control course
• Mars Filling and Sealing Training
• Mars Sterilization Training

Knowledge / Experience

• Food manufacturing experience and knowledge of food safety.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Statistical Process Control
• A wide variety of plant experiences in multiple areas (Inventory, Processing, Filling, Retort and Packaging)
• A minimum of 2 years of Mars Factory Experience OR 5 years of Non-Mars Factory Experience OR 5 years of previous Quality Experience

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills

• Accurate and quick decision-making skills
• Well-developed computer program skills: Lotus Notes, Microsoft Office, Nexus, SAP, JDA/Red Prairie, Mars Supply Quality Management (MSQM), ARK Holds Data Base, Document Control Data Base, Continuous Improvement and Corrective Action Process
• In-depth knowledge of all areas of the factory
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements for product sterilization and good manufacturing practices
• Interpersonal skills that influence and enlist the help of others in managing product quality
• Ability to respond/react in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Know how to use all lab equipment to analyse product variables
• Well-developed sense of smell and sight
• Subject matter expert for the site on quality standards during off-shifts
• Decision making
• Knowledge of Continuous Improvement skills, such as problem-solving and loss elimination.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills to plant floor and the management team
• Food Manufacturing experience and knowledge of food safety
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices

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®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

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