Plant Senior Supply Excellence Manager (Total Productive Maintenance) at Mars, Incorporated in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Job Description:

Job Description:

Plant Senior Supply Excellence Manager (Total Productive Maintenance) - Ft. Smith, AR

The "Plant Senior Supply Excellence Manager (TPM)" is responsible for driving overall Supply/Operational Excellence and its foundations for the plant and its business platforms. This role serves as a change agent and coach for the Plant Director, their leadership teams, and the extended leadership network, focusing on effective deployment and execution. Success will be measured by the site's results in terms of operational performance improvements, capability building, and demonstration of desired behaviors, assessed through the MSE maturity assessment.

A second, but equally important, set of measures is related to cost savings, waste reduction and assets performance achieved through the effective application of MSE systems and tools at the plant.

The role also oversees Digital Manufacturing, Education & Training, and Industrial Engineering within the plant.

As a Senior Manager, there's also an extended responsibility for network management, including sharing best practices across different plants. This may require 10-20% travel to promote cross-fertilization of standards, best practices, and expectations to expedite implementation and results across the network.

There is a "strong "dotted line" to the MSE Director to maximize the impact from this role to the extended network.

What are we looking for?

• A bachelor's degree in business, Engineering or Supply Chain required.


• 10+ years of experience in a manufacturing, supply chain environment.


• 10+ years of experience leading and practically implementing World Class initiatives such as TPM, WCM, and IWS at FMCG companies.


• Understanding of internal manufacturing and major business processes, with a focus on FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) as a beneficial background.


• Ability to work collaboratively and cross-functionally with Senior Leaders and stakeholders.


• Proven track record in leading step-change initiatives and best practice rollouts.


• Eagerness to analyze processes and inspired by maximizing value within the operational context.


• Fluent in English.


• Solid experience working with and understanding TPM principles and methods, specifically in areas such as AM (Autonomous Maintenance), PM (Planned Maintenance), FI (Focused Improvement), ET (Education & Training), and FMOS/DMS (Daily Management System).


• Excellence in Project Management, with knowledge in areas such as food safety, associate safety, P&L (Profit and Loss) principles, and Supply/Manufacturing practices.


• Strong analytical mindset coupled with substantial project management experience.


• Proven track record of successfully implementing improvement projects that lead to measurable financial savings in a sustainable manner.


• Strong understanding of Change Management principles.


• 5+ years of supervisory experience.


• Ability to influence at all levels of the organization, which includes Senior Leaders (VPs) all the way to the front-line teams at the line level.


• Effective communication skills and the ability to be well-organized in handling operational responsibilities.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Promote and Instill a Data-Driven, Continuous Improvement Culture:

• Advocate and nurture a consistent, data-driven, continuous improvement mindset across all plant departments and employees.


• Clearly communicate the vision and translate it into actionable strategies and tactics through the Plant CBN, OGSM, and SSIP, driving breakthrough results.

Monitor MSE Impact on Business Priorities / Initiate and Implement Improvement Initiatives:

• Track and understand the MSE impact on business priorities, such as Value Leadership / OPEX savings triggered by problem-solving activities.


• Identify potential adjustments/improvements based on MSE Pillars achievements and success stories.


• Identify, justify, prioritize, and implement improvement initiatives to deliver measurable and sustainable results.


• Conduct periodic internal audits and health checks to analyze the effectiveness of MSE initiatives.


• Encourage benchmarking across plants to identify the best achievements in KPIs and practices, accelerating the application of operational standards and driving top-level results.

Champion Application of the Plant Management System (FMOS) and Supply Excellence Methodologies:

• Act as the plant ambassador for the effective application of the Plant Management system (FMOS), MSE Pillars, and all Supply Excellence methodologies and tools.


• Provide guidance as a subject matter expert on methodologies such as OGSM, Operational Standards (SDCA), Basic and Advanced Problem Solving, 5S, Autonomous Teams development and waste minimization activities.

• Prepare, communicate, and engage stakeholders in the MSE rollout plan for the plant, outlining key activities, priorities, scope, and expected results.


• Partner with cross-functional owners to identify and establish relevant measures at all levels (KPIs, Leading and lagging measures).

• Develop and deploy governance systems, visual management systems, data collection, and reporting systems.


• Ensure effective analysis of deviations and define and complete necessary actions.

• Collaborate with the Digital Smart Factory team to co-create data collection and retrieval tools.


• Promote data-driven, analytical problem-solving through the application of sound statistical methods.


• Promote the full integration of digital solutions with the MSE rollout strategy and Pillars implementation plans.


• Ensure clear cost-benefit analysis and well-defined expected results for digital initiatives.

Benchmark and Drive Toward Industry Best Practices:

• Internally and externally benchmark performance and drive the organization toward standards exceeding recognized industry best practices.

Coach and Mentor Department Managers/Pillar Leaders, building Organizational Capability and Engagement

• Coach department managers/pillar leaders in the implementation and execution of plant supply excellence teams.


• Assist in training, coaching, and assessing plant autonomous and improvement teams.


• Mentor site and pillar leaders, facilitate change management activities, and advance critical competencies across the workforce.


• Develop a capability building strategy and training solutions to instill a continuous improvement culture across all organizational levels.

Collaborate with Other Plants and Track MSE Impact:

• Partner with other plants to achieve year-over-year financial and KPI targets.


• Lead a management system that identifies best practices and standards across the network of plants, promoting quick reapplication and accelerating MSE implementation.


• Provide internal coaching on MSE system implementation to achieve breakthrough improvements in TRS/OEE/Site Capacity and Cost optimization.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.


• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.


• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.


• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.


• (Insert any additional market/role specific benefits that the candidate might be interested in)

Find out more about what Mars can offer you by visiting our Global Careers site.

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.