Job Description

Job Title: Shift Manager

Location: Fort Smith, AR (Mars Petcare)

Shift: Afternoons (2:00pm – 11:30pm)

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Mars Petcare is seeking an operational leader to join our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Fort Smith, Arkansas as a Shift Manager.

In this critical, front-line leadership role, you will direct night-shift operations to deliver high-quality pet care products safely and efficiently. Leading an average of 15 shift associates, you will serve as a coach, team-builder, and operational strategist. You will coordinate short-term activities on the floor while collaborating with the 24-hour Area Managership Team to implement the Mars Supply Excellence (MSE) program and continuous improvement projects.

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 leadership. Roles such as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs, Petty Officers) 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.

What We Offer (Total Rewards & Benefits)

At Mars, we support our leaders with a premier compensation and benefits package starting on day one:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance starting on Day One.
• Financial Peace of Mind: Competitive base salary, shift differential, and annual variable bonus earning potential.
• Retirement Planning: An exceptional company match of up to 6% on your 401(k).
• Generous Paid Time Off: 3 weeks of vacation (pro-rated from hire date), 11 paid holidays, and accrued Sick Pay.
• Unbeatable Family Support: Up to 18 weeks of paid Parental/Maternity Leave and tuition reimbursement.
• Pet-Friendly Perks: Product discounts on our beloved pet care brands, plus dog-friendly resources.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership & Associate Development:

• Direct, motivate, and coach a night-shift team of approximately 15 operations associates to build functional capabilities and drive accountability.
• Manage associate relations, facilitate training/cross-training strategies, and support individual career growth plans.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to recruit, select, and effectively onboard new operations associates.

Operational Execution & Conversion:

• Manage the efforts of multi-line, area, or technology operating teams on the night shift to efficiently convert raw materials into safe, high-quality products.
• Coordinate materials, staffing, and resources to support line operations and product changeovers.
• Proactively identify operational risks and reactively lead on-shift incident resolution and escalations.

Continuous Improvement & MSE:

• Lead and support the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Autonomous Work Teams (AWTs) on your shift.
• Collaborate with the Area Managership Team to create and execute the reliability strategy for your area of responsibility.
• Enforce established operational standards on shift through effective communication, change management, and consistent coaching.

Safety, Food Safety & Product Quality:

• Ensure safe working conditions, behaviors, and mindsets by directly implementing Mars Safety programs.
• Champion and enforce HACCP requirements, GMPs, plant sanitation practices, and regulatory standards to ensure defect-free production.

Position Requirements & Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education & Experience: Undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree OR equivalent experience (defined as a High School Diploma/GED combined with 4+ years of experience in a technical manufacturing, continuous improvement, or military leadership environment).
• Leadership Capability: Demonstrated capability in leading, training, and developing others (previous direct people management experience is highly valued).
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey critical expectations clearly and concisely.
• Operational Knowledge: Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and food safety/sanitation practices.
• Digital Literacy: Proficiency in digital administrative tools (MS Office Suite, email, and production databases).
• Adaptability: Comfort leading teams and making critical decisions in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

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.

Military & Veteran Leadership Equivalency Guide

At Mars, your operational command and personnel leadership are highly respected. If you served in any of the following leadership roles, your background is an exceptional fit for our Shift Manager position:

• U.S. Army: Platoon Sergeant / Section Chief (E-7/E-8), Platoon Leader (O-1/O-2), Maintenance Officer (915A/91A), Supply/Logistics Manager (92A/92Y). Your experience directing platoon-sized elements, enforcing safety/regulatory compliance, and coordinating mission-critical resources is a direct translation.
• U.S. Navy: Chief Petty Officer / Division Chief (E-7/E-8), Division Officer (O-1 to O-3), Logistics/Supply Officer, Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW). Your experience leading divisions of 15+ sailors, running complex shipboard watches, and overseeing training schedules is highly valuable.
• U.S. Air Force: Flight Chief / Section Chief (E-7/E-8), Flight Commander (O-1 to O-3), Logistics Readiness Officer (21R), Maintenance Superintendent (2AXXX). Your training in flight-line safety, standard operating procedures, and managing shift rotations directly aligns with our manufacturing floor.
• U.S. Marine Corps: Platoon Sergeant / Gunnery Sergeant (E-7/E-8), Platoon Commander / Company Executive Officer (O-1 to O-3), Maintenance Chief (E-7+), Logistics Officer (0402). Your proven track record in commanding field teams, building unit cohesion, and driving operational accountability matches our team-working principles.
• U.S. Coast Guard: Chief Petty Officer (E-7/E-8), Division Officer/Chief of Division (O-1 to O-3).

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®, BEN’S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA®, and Pet Partners™.

The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom – inspire our more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.