Production Lead Nights (Worsley)

Job Description:

Job: Production Lead

Shift: Nights

Location: Mars Petcare (Aurora NE)

The Production Lead is a shift-based front-line operations people Lead who efficiently improves Quality Human Safety and Product Cost Conversion while Engaging and Developing talent. The Production Leads are responsible for delivering operational targets and leading teams of on average 15 production associates. The Production Lead drives safety quality continuous improvement performance management associate development team engagement and operating results for their assigned area through shift-based leadership of a line or area that exists within a larger Value Stream organization. This leader will coordinate the short-term activities of the area within established guidelines and standards to produce the highest quality lowest cost product most safely and efficiently while also partnering with the other members of the 24-hour Area Leadership Team to deliver area continuous improvement and Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) program implementation. The Production Lead is responsible for building an effective team in his/her shift and in his/her area of responsibility and for managing the training strategy for both the individual associates and the team. This leader will implement and enforce established policy and area and organizational strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conversion - Manage the efforts of multi-line area or technology operating teams on one shift in efficiently converting materials into quality products in a safe secure and sanitary manner within the product design specifications.
• Change Agent - Implement changes in methods equipment systems and organization as needed to ensure that the objectives of the line/area are met and give input and recommendations for such changes by using a continuous improvement mindset.
• Mars Supply Excellence Lead or participate in one or more MSE Pillars; Lead and support the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) in area of responsibility; Lead key connection points and own reliability data collection accuracy.
• Area Ownership Collaborate with the rest of the Area Leadership Team (Area Leader or Continuous Improvement Engineer Continuous Improvement Specialist Maintenance Coordinator) to create and execute the reliability strategy for the area of responsibility.
• Coaching Coach operators to build their functional and leadership capabilities and to drive accountability in safety Quality and Food Safety Autonomous Maintenance and team engagement.
• Line Operations - Coordinate materials staffing and resources to support line operation and changeovers.
• Standards Implementation and Adherence Ensure standards are implemented on shift and in areas of responsibility through effective communication change management consistent reinforcement coaching guidance and accountability measures.
• Associate Safety Ensure safe working conditions behaviors and mindsets by directly implementing Mars Safety programs and driving a relentless focus among a team of operators.
• Food Safety and Product Quality Ensure the ongoing production of safe and defect-free products consistent with the principles of Mars. HACCP proficiency is required; this leader owns ongoing training and championing of quality goals and improvements at the Area Shift level.
• Associate Advocacy - Manage associate relations issues and guide and direct the hiring training retraining development and motivation of Operations associates following self-managed team-working principles with a minimum degree of guidance from the Area Leader or Value Stream Leader.
• Engagement - Responsible for facilitating and driving an environment of high associate engagement on the team.
• Goal Setting and Measurement - With the general guidance of the Value Stream or Area Leader and/or the support of the Continuous Improvement Engineer establish line and individual performance standards and goals and measure control take corrective action and report results as appropriate.
• Troubleshooting Utilize the technical resources on shift for the preventive maintenance repair and troubleshooting of process/packaging equipment problems to effectively use these resources to achieve desired performance levels.
• Escalations - Proactively identify risks and opportunities and reactively lead on-shift incident resolution when operators require additional support. Prioritize assign resources against escalated issues and make decisions to resolve escalated issues.
• Communications - Ensure that open communications are established and that opportunities to broaden the scope and responsibility of Operations teams/associates are undertaken.
• Technology Advancement - Advise when opportunities exist for moving the line/area forward in technological change.
• Operations Strategy - Participate in implementing improvement strategies to help the line/area perform more effectively in the near term.
• Recruiting and Onboarding Responsible for partnering with Talent Acquisition to recruit and select associates for operations roles and responsible for onboarding associates effectively.
• Associate Development Develop associates by mentoring and supporting their development plans and helping them grow in functional capability and long-term career.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

• Education & Professional Qualification
• An undergraduate (Bachelors) degree

OR

• The equivalent experience is defined as greater than four years of experience in a technical manufacturing continuous improvement environment along with a High School Diploma.

Preferred:

• A degree in one of the Engineering basic sciences or business-related disciplines.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience and demonstrated capability in leading others.
• Previous direct people leadership experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.
• 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word Excel etc.) internet software and e-mail.
• Ability to succeed in an ambiguous environment.
• Functional knowledge and understanding of HACCP concepts.
• Experience in plant sanitation practices and procedures.
• Ability to deliver critical performance feedback and hold associates accountable to business objectives.
• Champion of safety with OSHA experience or certification preferred.

About Mars Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than 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 worlds best-loved brands: M&Ms SNICKERS TWIX MILKY WAY DOVE PEDIGREE ROYAL CANIN WHISKAS EXTRA ORBIT 5 SKITTLES UNCLE BENS 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 100000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.