Packaging Operator - Skittles

Job description

A mutually rewarding experience.

Work. Realize your ambitions. And realize there's more to being in business than just making a profit. That's the Mars philosophy. And the opportunity we offer every one of our Associates. An opportunity to take what you do and make it mean more for you, for those around you and for the planet. What you get here is challenging, interesting work. You get the tools you need to do a great job and you get to have the best possible people on your side to help you do it. And at the same time as getting to find ways to do business better today than we did it yesterday and driving a great career, you also get to build a more enlightened business and drive sustainability.

Because it's never just about a single person, a single project or a single brand. It's about how you can grab everything that's within your reach here and use it to pursue mutual, long-term gain. It's about having ideas. And ideals. Being prepared to risk failure because the promise of success means we'll all be a little better off. It's that mix of integrity and ambition that makes Mars such a special place to work. And why working here is always about more than just a job.

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 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.

The purpose of this document is to clearly identify the duties and responsibilities of a Skittle's packaging operator working in a self-directed, empowered team environment where TPM/Lean and 6-Sigma methodologies are used to drive continuous improvement in support of organizational goals and objectives. To ensure the success of the associate in performing the duties and responsibilities of this role, the pre-requisite training, education, skills, and abilities are also clearly identified.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (each item should account for 10% or more)

1. Perform all required production tasks and assigned work in compliance to current standards
a. Follow all safety rules, instructions, and standards.
b. Achieve and maintain required certifications in packaging area operations (receiving, shipping, material handling, multi-lane pouch packaging, baggers, bulk boxes and supersacks, conveyors, palletizing, utility operations, etc.).
c. Start-Up equipment.
d. Observe equipment operations, monitor standard running conditions and parameters, and perform necessary adjustments so as to produce product to quality and productivity standards.
e. Troubleshoot equipment to restore normal operation in compliance with current standards.
f. Replenish equipment and area Kanban locations with product and/or packaging materials (wrapping paper, boxes, cartons, glue, ink, label, etc.) so as to maintain normal operations.
g. Operate and maintain powered industrial vehicles, including fork trucks, tow-motors, walkies, floor scrubber, etc.
h. Hand pack product into cartons, cases, bags, etc. where required.
i. Perform equipment changeovers, including mechanical and control system adjustments and material changes.
j. Shut-Down equipment.

2. Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient work area
a. Follow 5S standards.
b. Patrol work areas to detect and escalate abnormal conditions and equipment malfunctions.
c. Accept operational and maintenance ownership of all packaging area equipment, including utilities (air, water, HVAC, etc.) and building infrastructure.
d. Perform routine Autonomous Maintenance activities, such as cleaning, inspecting, lubrication, and minor adjustments, on packaging area equipment.

3. Insure all production complies with quality and food safety standards
a. Follow all food safety requirements, rules, and standards (GMP, HACCP, security, pest control, etc.).
b. Clean and sanitize equipment in accordance to food safety standards.
c. Collect product and material samples for laboratory retains, testing, and analysis.
d. Test or inspect products and packaging materials to insure conformance to specifications
e. Document and escalate situations where products or packaging are not in conformance, and remove defective materials to designated locations.
f. Complete food safety documentation requirements (HACCP checks, master sanitation schedule, routine checks and inspections, etc.)
g. Insure finished product meets all quality and food safety standards, including correct identity and lot tracking information.

4. Perform routine production and performance reporting and follow escalation protocols
a. Complete production output and performance documentation and/or computerized data entry requirements.
b. Document and report equipment abnormalities and malfunctions that cannot be resolved within the time limits of the escalation protocol.
c. Utilize operational data to calculate OEE.
d. Complete SPC charts.
e. Complete FMOS charts and boards.
f. Perform inventory cycle counting activities, as directed.
g. Follow event escalation protocols for safety, quality, and operational issues.

5. Drive continuous improvement opportunities
a. Make suggestions so as to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and costs.
b. Calculate and analyze equipment performance by: utilizing operational data to calculate OEE and develop loss deployment charts, applying Pareto analysis and statistical methods to prioritize losses, developing improvement plans through the application of TPM or 6-Sigma tools and methodologies, and executing actions to reduce losses and sustain improvements.
c. Use SPC charts to analyze data and take appropriate corrective action in accordance with current standards and/or TPM methodologies to permanently eliminate losses.
d. Support problem-solving and small group improvement activities utilizing TPM/Lean or 6-sigma improvement tools, ad-hoc data collection, statistical analysis, closing report documentation, standards of work, and training matrix.
e. Develop documented standards of work (One-Point Lessons, Work Instructions, Checklists, and SOPs).
f. Establish and apply new 5S standards by developing standard work procedures and applying visual management methodologies.
g. Develop and improve Autonomous Maintenance standards in support of continuous improvement initiatives.
h. Assist in training activities.

6. Comply with all company personnel and organizational policies (pay and benefits, performance reviews, holiday and vacations, drug and alcohol, discrimination and sexual harassment, etc.).

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPACT

• Works overtime as required, and communicates to Line leader
• Provides input for MBO
• Insures all required Quality checks and documents are completed for each shift
• Escalates Safety and Quality non-conformance
• Recommends Centerlines

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training

Minimum:
1) High school diploma or GED.

Preferred:
1) Degree in engineering or operations management (Associates, BS or BA).

Related Experience/Requirements:

Minimum:
1) Fluent in English (reading, writing, and verbal communication).
2) Proficient in English writing (grammar and spelling).
3) Proficient in basic mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, averages, variances, formulas/equations, etc.).
4) Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office software applications (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)

Preferred:
1) One (1) or more years of manufacturing experience in a foods or consumer goods operation.
2) Basic understanding of engineering principles (machine mechanics, electricity and controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, tools, and fasteners).
3) Experience in lean or TPM methodologies.
4) Certified trainer or instructor.
5) High performance team experience.
6) Proficiency with SAP.

7) HVAC experience

8) Experience with various utility systems, including boilers and chillers

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Minimum: :
1) Good communication, listening, and influencing skills.
2) Able to work collaboratively with other groups.
3) Ability and desire to improve technical knowledge.
4) Ability to understand basic engineering principles (machine mechanics, electricity and controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, tools, and fasteners).
5) Support safety, quality, security, health, and environmental policies and improvement initiatives.
6) Support the development of other associates.
7) Ability to create training documentation.

Preferred:
1) Ability to deliver training.
2) Ability to lead initiatives that improve operational efficiencies, safety, and quality.
3) Ability to drive lean ways of working.
4) Ability to plan and schedule resources.
5) Ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Physical Requirements:

1) Frequent lifting / carrying (10-50 lbs.)
2) Frequent pushing / pulling *(50-300 lbs) and frequent bending and stooping.
3) Frequent handling / gripping (parts, tools, etc.)
4) Frequent Bending and Stooping

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.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Hydraulics, Engineer, ERP, Lean Six Sigma, SAP, Engineering, Technology, Management