Shift Manager (Cole)

Job Description:

Shift Manager — 3rd Shift (Nights)

Location: Mars Petcare (Fort Smith, AR)
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 10:30 PM – 7:00 AM
Segment: Mars Petcare

Position Overview

Are you a decisive, people-first leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about driving operational excellence?

The Shift Manager (3rd Shift) is a critical, front-line people manager at our state-of-the-art Fort Smith, AR manufacturing facility. Leading an average of 15 shift associates, you will champion human safety, food safety, product quality, and cost efficiency. Operating from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, Monday through Friday, you will direct night-shift operations to deliver high-quality pet care products most safely and efficiently.

This role is a hands-on leadership opportunity where you will partner closely with the broader 24-hour Area Managership Team to execute area reliability strategies and implement the Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) program. If you are a collaborative leader, an effective change agent, and a builder of high-performing teams, your tomorrow starts today at Mars Petcare.

People Leadership & Associate Development

• Lead & Engage: Cultivate an environment of high engagement, trust, and mutual respect on the night shift. Direct, motivate, and coach a team of approximately 15 operations associates.
• Talent Development: Manage associate relations, facilitate training and cross-training strategies, and support individual career growth plans.
• Advocacy & Accountability: Drive accountability in safety and quality while serving as a champion for self-managed, team-working principles.

Operational Excellence & Cost Conversion

• Conversion Management: Direct the night-shift efforts of multi-line, area, or technology teams to efficiently convert raw materials into quality finished products within design specifications.
• Line Operations: Coordinate materials, night-shift staffing, and technical resources to support seamless line operations, changeovers, and preventive maintenance.
• Problem Solving & Escalation: Serve as the on-shift point of escalation. Reactively lead incident resolution, troubleshoot equipment constraints, and proactively mitigate risks.

Continuous Improvement & Mars Supply Excellence (MSE)

• MSE Pillar Leadership: Support and lead key facets of the Mars Supply Excellence (TPM) program, specifically driving Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) on your shift.
• Change Agency: Actively identify opportunities for technological and operational improvements, leading change management initiatives with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Area Ownership: Collaborate with the Area Managership Team (including the Area Manager, CI Specialist, and Maintenance Coordinator) to implement long-term reliability strategies.

Safety, Quality, and Standards Adherence

• Associate Safety First: Own the safety culture on 3rd shift. Implement Mars Safety programs, eliminate hazards, and drive a relentless "safety-first" mindset.
• Food Safety & Quality: Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Mars Quality standards. Lead HACCP requirements, ongoing training, and shift-level quality goal adherence.
• Standards Enforcement: Communicate, reinforce, and hold the shift accountable to established operational policies and plant guidelines.

Education & Experience

• Undergraduate Degree (Bachelor's): Highly preferred, ideally in Engineering, Basic Sciences, Business, or a related discipline.
• OR
• Equivalent Experience: High School Diploma/GED combined with 4+ years of technical manufacturing experience, continuous improvement leadership, or military leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated capability in leading, training, and developing others (previous direct people management experience is highly valued).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey critical expectations clearly and concisely.
• Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety/sanitation practices.
• Proficiency in digital administrative tools (MS Office Suite, ERP/CRM systems, email).
• Comfort leading teams and making critical decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior supervisory experience in a food production, FMCG, or highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Functional knowledge of HACCP concepts and OSHA regulations (OSHA certification is a plus).
• Experience with TPM, Lean Manufacturing, or Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) methodology.
• Strong technical or mechanical aptitude to guide on-shift troubleshooting of packaging/processing machinery.

Why Transitioning Military & Veterans Thrive Here

At Mars, we recognize that the leadership, adaptability, and mission-first mindset developed in the military are world-class assets.

• Recognized Leadership: We fully value military rank and operational experience. Roles such as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) or Junior Officers directly translate to our shift leadership needs.
• Structured & Purpose-Driven: The discipline, safety-first culture, and team accountability found in military operations align perfectly with our manufacturing environments.
• Upskilling & Growth: Through Mars University and technical training, we invest in your continued development to help you build a lifelong civilian career.
• Veteran Community: Join a business segment that actively supports veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members with military-friendly onboarding and resource networks.

Why You'll Love Working for Mars Petcare

• Day-One Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance starting your very first day.
• Financial Peace of Mind: Generous 401(k) match and annual variable bonus earning potential.
• Generous Time Off: 3 weeks of vacation (pro-rated), 11 paid holidays, and sick pay.
• Family Support: Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental/Maternity Leave.
• A Better World for Pets: Product discounts on our beloved pet care brands, plus dog-friendly resources.

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 they love. With almost $50 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands, including PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, CESAR®, TEMPTATIONS®, M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, and green-lighted veterinary services like VCA™ and BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals.

The Mars Five Principles—Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom—inspire our more than 150,000 Associates to create value for all partners and deliver growth we are proud of every day.

Mars, Incorporated is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and encourage military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to apply.