Shift Manager (Harrison

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…