Pilot Plant Manager

We are seeking a Pilot Plant Manager for our Mars Wrigley Pilot Plant in Chicago, IL.

R&D delivers Quality, Efficiency and Growth through the process of Discovery, Translation and Sustaining Success.  In scientific research and product development, majority of discovery and translation take place in the laboratories and pilot plant.  The pilot plant provides the physical facilities, tools and competencies for prototyping, testing and scale-up, and it is regarded as the integral assets for Mars product development. 

The Pilot Plant Manager contributes to the organization by managing these integral assets, focusing on the internal customers’ needs, designing an able & agile pilot plant operation to meet future R&D needs.  The Manager works to keep the business infrastructure running by developing technicians through the succession planning process. In this role, the Manager possesses strong skills in all related Product Lifecycle Management processes, and acts as a single contact point for R&D pilot-scale production.  

What would your key responsibilities be?

• Oversee the day-to-day pilot plant operational activities.
• Accountable for the quality, safety and operational efficiency measures of the daily production runs.
• Drive and sustain a comprehensive quality program for the pilot plant, using the Segment QMP as the framework.  The Quality program scope includes all the Q&FS and FSMA components such as GMP, HACCP, allergens, control of documents and records, verification, validation, etc. Define, enforce and verify the product quality standards for the pilot plant samples.  Ensure that all GMP standards are followed by the users and has the authority to institute a corrective action plan using proper escalation procedures.  
• Drive and sustain the Safety program for the pilot plant, focusing on the 4 areas highlighted by the Mars Wrigley R&D Safety Lead: workplace transport, working at heights, contractor safety and LOTO.  Design the training manuals, user training programs, and verification program for on-going safety compliance.  Accountable for the pilot plant site assets to provide a safe operating environment including: trial configuration, product manufacturing, material shipping & receiving, and facility/ equipment maintenance.   
• Perform as the lead engineer for the pilot plant, which includes the space configuration, installation and commissioning of new equipment and unit operations.  Working closely with new product development (NPD) and science & technology (S&T) associates, research for the right equipment and vendors to the meet the new product design requirements.  For new-to-Mars Wrigley innovations, facilitate new development of equipment/ process capabilities to deliver the strategy. 
• Develop and execute the 3-year capital plan.  The CAB investments cover safety upgrades, Q&FS requirements, procurement and installation of new equipment and process capabilities, NPD needs, S&T programs, warehousing solutions and continuous improvement of existing assets.  
• Manage the annual operating expense budget for the pilot plant by defining the fiscal year budget needs and monitoring and controlling the run rate by period.  Report significant budget changes on a period basis. 
• Actively identify career development and engagement opportunities for direct reports and frequently hold cross-training programs to upgrade the technicians’ skillset.  Develop the succession pipeline for the operations & maintenance technician roles, as well as the succession path for the Pilot Plant Manager role.   
• Fully responsible for all performance management tasks and deliverables related to the pilot plant team. 
• Ensure that the pilot plant team’s KPIs for quality, safety, productivity, customer service, sustainability and costs are achieved.   
• Collaborate with the global pilot plant network on best practices to continuously improve pilot plant operations, associate safety and food safety.    
• Implement, improve and execute preventive maintenance program. 

What are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering or related field of work required.

• Proficient math and computer skills are required (working knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint). 
• Five (5) years of experience in consumer goods industry.  Requires understanding and application of procedures and concepts within functional area and basic knowledge of other functional areas within R&D.    
• Demonstrated success in multi-disciplined project leadership and managing work through others without direct authority. 
• Strengths in written & verbal communication, problem solving, hiring and staffing, operations management, analytical skills, strong customer focus and the ability to interact effectively with personnel at all levels throughout the organization are required. 
• Experience in consumer goods manufacturing, quality and product development functions.  Line manager experience or supervisory role in manufacturing setting.    
• Mars Wrigley system knowledge is a plus (i.e., SAP, Sword, Nexus, PPM, Lab Vantage).  Ability to communicate effectively with regulatory authorities (e.g. FDA).   

What can you expect from Mars?

• The opportunity to learn, develop and take charge of your own career.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package. 
• To be respected and valued.
• The Five Principles at the center of every decision.