Position Title: Material Handler

Reports To: Line Manager

Segment: Mars Petcare

Family: Plant Operations

Function: Supply

Location: Victorville, California (VIC)

Purpose of Role

The Material Handler (forklift certification & experience required) is responsible and accountable for assuring all raw materials are received, unloaded, stored (poured up into bins), and batched according to published formulas in compliance with Q&FS specifications and QMP standards in support of the Quality and Food Safety principles.

Principal Accountabilities

• Adhere to personal safety practices that meet OSHA & Mars standards to assure a safe environment for yourself and others. Maintain open communication with site safety committee and site safety manager as appropriate for the role.
• Operate within specified efficiency/productivity standards based on:
  • Raw material storage and usage policies and procedures.
  • Formulation and packaging capability as specified in OGSM & KPI’s
• Operate within established finished product Q&FS specifications for each formula and as specified within GMP & HACCP guidelines
• Receive materials as they arrive and verify correct amounts of material were received, bulk trucks, rail cars, bagged ingredients and Meat Slurry.
• Pouring up of rework and ingredients – must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Unloading ingredient trucks and placing in proper location.
• Assist control room operator and shift manager as needed.
• Sample ingredients received using proper procedures and documents.
• Conducting end-of-run counts on raw materials and month-end inventories.
• Provide all raw material samples and conduct all Q&FS testing as required by QMP standards.
• Accurately complete documentation of all reporting related to the following Q&FS, QMP, and site required procedures and policies.
• Adhere to the master sanitation program. Perform sanitation activities as defined by Sanitation SOPs.
• Assure all areas of responsibility are safe, clean, and clear of maintenance related issues during daily walk through including but not limited to the receiving bay, liquid receiving bay, trash rooms, ingredients warehouse and micro bin room and batching towers.
• Assure all raw material deliveries are completed safely, in accordance with Q&FS specifications, GMP standards, and site-specific requirements.
• Maintain continuous communication with site functional teams to assure complete awareness of the manufacturing process in compliance with Q&FS and performance objectives.
• Support business unit teams for the continuous improvement of Mars existing and new products and/or processes.
• Participate in the development, revision, and training of mission critical competencies as related to the responsibilities and accountabilities of the position.
• Perform basic preventative maintenance activities as defined in SOPs.
• Demonstrate a quality culture in actions, words and spirit.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Functional Accountabilities

Assure the process equipment and all supporting processes are in compliance with Q&FS, QMP, and performance objectives at the following process flow points. This is subject to change based on operational requirements.

Key Critical Competencies (Functional or Leadership)

• Dealing with ambiguity
• Self-Development
• Conflict Management
• Functional/Technical skills
• Peer Relationships
• Action Oriented

Decision Making Authority and Impact

Decisions

• Adjusting to production based on raw materials on hand.
• Responsible for reporting and following up on any observation that may impact associate safety and/or product Quality and Food Safety.
• Productive and safe work habits.

Recommendations

• Actively participate in continuous improvement projects through proactive and reactive efforts including incident/root cause investigation and implementation of corrective/preventive actions pertaining to Q&FS and continuous improvement of plant operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks at one time with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and role model effective team behavior.

Key Technical Knowledge and Functional Skills

• Mars safety policies and procedures
• Food Safety (GMP, HACCP)
• Food Quality (Product and Process)
• Q&FS testing practices and procedures, and QMP polices

Requirements

• Certified in Forklift operation
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must be willing and able to work and accept varying shifts and schedules
• Ability to understand and effectively communicate in the English language
• Successful completion of a substance screening and background check
• Effective verbal & written communication skills.
• Effective analytical, troubleshooting, and computer skills.
• Ability to work independently without supervision as well as within a team setting.

Preferred Experience

• 3 years of manufacturing experience operating a variety of machines
• 2 years of pet food and/or food manufacturing experience preferably in the mixing pf raw ingredients side of production
• Working Knowledge of food safety, GMP, TPM, HACCP, SPC
• Knowledge of inventory control principles
• Experience with SAP

Physical requirements

• Forklift assignments require OSHA certification and getting on and off frequently
• Must be able to adapt to temperature and environmental extremes such as hot to cold, dust dirt and chemicals
• Must be capable of working at elevated heights
• Wearing proper personal protective equipment (hair net, bump cap, ear plugs, safety shoes, and uniform)
• Bending, stooping, twist, turn, standing for extended time periods, reaching, climbing stairs, and lifting to 50 lbs
• Enough mobility, strength, flexibility, hearing, and sight to access all job relevant areas and perform routine activities as necessary to deliver required results.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 like-minded 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.

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.