QMST - Ridenhour at Mars, Incorporated in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Job Description:

Job Description:

Job: Quality and Manufacturing Support Technician (QMST)

Shift: Nights (10:30pm to 7am)

Location: Mars Petcare (Fort Smith, AR)

Mars Petcare is seeking a QMST to join our exciting pet food business at a manufacturing plant in Fort Smith, AR. We focus on the unique needs of cats and dogs. Our obsession with detail allows us to deliver precise, effective nutrition and help them become their magnificent best.

As part of our overall total compensation package, Mars Petcare offers a competitive benefits package to all associates: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and 401k match. Associates are also immediately eligible (based on hire date) for up to three weeks of vacation, 12 Paid Holidays per year, Sick Pay, Maternity & Parental Leave, and annual bonus earning potential, plus many other ancillary benefits not listed here.

The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that the quality standards for raw and packs, the manufacturing process, finished goods, and holds management are maintained on their respective shift by sampling, monitoring, and auditing each of these areas. The secondary purpose of this role is to support the shift manager with other duties as needed.

Responsibilities

• Make online risk decisions regarding pre/post process assessments and respond to quality issues such as filing problems and commodity and packaging material problems. Enters packaging/commodity complaints and holds them in the vendor assurance database.


• Responds and makes Quality (non-food safety) decisions.


• Enters finished product holds into ARK Hold Management System


• Performs the product assessment panel on the weekends.


• Design and deliver training in all areas of quality to shift associates.


• Performs plant sampling, testing, and auditing on shift.


• Provides troubleshooting expertise and support to shift managers across the site.


• Collects samples for materials analysis and the evaluation of holds.


• Steward of protecting the integrity of the PRIMP, CAPA, and HACCP program.


• Participates in LEAN and Continuous Improvement Teams


• This position and all site associates are responsible for quality and food safety.


• This position monitors quality and food safety control points and takes corrective actions to improve the process.


• Know and understand the site's CCPs and report any findings of deficiencies to the site's quality manager or designee.

Education & Professional Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent


• Obtain certification from the FDA Better Processing Control course.


• Mars Filling and Sealing Training (Internal Only)


• Mars Sterilization Training (Internal Only)

• Food manufacturing experience and knowledge of food safety.


• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices.


• Statistical Process Control


• A wide variety of plant experiences in multiple areas (Inventory, Processing, Filling, Retort and Packaging)


• A minimum of 6 months of Mars Factory Experience OR 2 years of Non-Mars Factory Experience OR 1 year of previous Quality Experience

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®, UNCLE BEN'S®, 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 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

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.