Job Description:

Job: OVS Technician

Shift: Days

Location: Mars (Topeka, Kansas)

Mars is looking to hire OVS Technician for our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Topeka, Kansas! Being a Mars Associate is all about opportunity.  The opportunity to do challenging, exciting work that shapes the world’s best-loved brands.  To work with real purpose, supported by talented, friendly people from different backgrounds.  Access the tools, training, and experience you need to impact on our business, the planet positively, and, most importantly, your career.  Being a Mars associate is more than a job.  It’s the opportunity to start your day tomorrow.

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 purpose of the OVS Technician role is to ensure the successful scoping, contracting, delivery, and payment processing of all outside vendor services at the plant. This role will lead in budget and cost management for the technical team and support the Mars Supply Excellence Maintenance Cost initiatives. The OVS Technician will act as a liaison between the site and commercial to ensure timely and accurate purchasing processes and provide training and support to site purchasers.

This sphere of responsibility and influence includes all OVS or facility practices, standards, training, regulatory change, and programs supporting business objectives and industry best practices.  The role will also influence programs to support social accountability, sustainability, conservation (energy, water, waste), and site and associate security.

Responsibilities

Ensure the performance of all contracts to agreed specifications and service levels; delivery with the approved budget; and continuous improvement in the performance and costs of the services.Implement standardized services according to the scope of work within the Mars Incorporated Commercial agreements, safety and security standards, Mars Supply Excellence, and Good Manufacturing Practices.Partner with Commercial and Finance to design and scope the Facility System Service Provider (FSSP) agreement parameters, ensuring fitness for purpose and delivering value to the organization and compliance with corporate agreements. Provide technical guidance, expertise, and support to ensure site concerns are addressed in the design and implementation of standardized services. Deliver regular communication of status and effectiveness of OVS services to site leadership, PM Pillar, and Cost Review attendees.Be accountable for on-site third-party resources as needed when contracted directly by Mars, Inc. and in partnership with a Facilities Services provider when appropriate.Implement and conduct associate communications as needed to ensure site consistency and adherence to all agreements, including but not limited to Mars Safety regulations, contractor work rules, regulatory requirements, emergency response, asset conservation, and corporate required “permit to work” processes.Partner with safety and quality groups to ensure facilities’ services comply with all regulations and standards.Engage in Maintenance Cost Community of practice and transfer best practice of processes and procedures.  Manage and support projects as needed to drive value for the business.Support Mars Supply Excellence activities through participation in cost review discussions, budget development, and maintenance diagnostics activities. Act as site functional expert for purchasing system and provide support and training to other purchasing associates as needed.Ensure smooth and timely payment processes for site purchase orders.The OVS Technician is the lead technical resource for scope definition and the on-site lead resource for third-party services provided to the plant.The role will require in-depth knowledge of the entire scope of third-party services within the plant and the fundamental interactions and impacts on the value streams.The role will work closely with the Maintenance and Technical Managers, Value Stream Managers, Commercial, S&F, and the services vendor base.The role will bridge the gap between the Commercial objectives of standardization and cost savings against Maintenance Cost KPIs, operational standards, and efficienciesThe OVS Technician provides advanced budget and purchasing analysis and resolution expertise, data tracking to identify continuous improvement opportunities, and defining and implementing standard work practices.These efforts should be aligned with Mars Supply Excellence standards and Maintenance Cost activities.Some personnel management may be required.The OVS Technician will provide purchase system training for new associates and refresher training and assistance to existing associates.

Education & Professional Qualifications

High school DiplomaBachelor’s degree or equivalent in a technical field preferred.High-level customer service skillsProficient in basic computer skills and applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, etc.)Valid Driver’s LicenseTechnical Knowledge

Knowledge / Experience

The successful candidate should have 3+ years of experience within a manufacturing environment, such as factory operations, maintenance, procurement, or technical.The candidate must be capable of relating concepts and leading transformation from within the current culture of the site. Candidate must possess (and demonstrate through prior experience) solid problem-solving skills, analytical thinking proficiency, the ability to multitask, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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.

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.