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Mars UK

Extruder Operator ($1,500 Sign-On Bonus!)

Salary:  $25 – $30 per hour
Location:  USA-Illinois-Mattoon | United States of America
Location flexibility:  1 office day / week, 2 office days / week, 3 office days / week, 4 office days / week
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Job Description

Job Description:

Job Description

Here at Mars we have an exciting opportunity for an individual seeking employment to come and join our factory team as an Extruder Operator.

The Extruder Operator will be a multi-skilled packing associate who is responsible for achieving maximum efficiency of our packing lines whilst ensuring the highest safety and quality standards are maintained. The extruder operator will also play a pivotal role in identifying and delivering continuous improvement projects within the packaging hall.

Pay: $25- $30 + shift premium

Shift: 2-2-3 schedule (12 hour Day & Night Shifts)

Key Responsibilities

This role will be an entry level role into the Extrusion/Processing role and will develop capability to perform the following responsibilities:

  • Perform all of the following duties on a rotational basis in the processing area of the plant. This includes operating all systems, performing all quality checks, maintaining conformance reports and system logs, and troubleshooting all aspects of each system :

Batching - schedule, batch and assure accurate dispersion of the correct commodities, control hardstock grinding and amounts into each recipe that is delivered to the mixed meal system.

Extrusion - extrude mixed meal and dry kibbles that meet all quality specifications and optimize plant capacity.

Coating - coat and blend kibbles with tallow and digest into the finished product according to recipe requirements; coordinate with packaging and extrusion to optimize product stream and bunker inventory levels.

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Manage and set strategy for the five processing systems to ensure meeting or exceeding production schedule in the most efficient manner possible.

  • Maintain a safe and clean work environment to promote associate safety and product integrity.

  • Ability to actively address food safety and quality concerns.

  • Troubleshoot processing systems that are not performing properly and take corrective action to ensure product quality while minimizing unnecessary downtime.

  • Improve operations through individual and group problem solving and provide leadership in solving problems on the floor and in meetings.

  • Promote high quality team environment through effective team work and self-management with a positive attitude.

    • Able to start and stop extrusion system with 90 days of assignment to area

    • Able to perform all testing and sampling in extrusion area and complete conformance sheets accurately

    • Demonstrates knowledge of area GMP’s

    • Demonstrates basic understanding of the process flow and equipment in the immediate area

    • Able to make Color, clean & assemble die plates, and forklift experience

    • Able to safely operate all equipment and systems in extrusion

    • LOTO training complete

    • Demonstrates understanding of E-stop strategy for area and can locate all E-stops

    • Able to do weekly processing start up and shut down procedures

    • Able to identify quality issues and make parameter adjustments to correct these

    • Able to set up for any recipe and input initial parameters and run effectively on any extrusion system

    • Able to run Quality and R&D test

    • Takes ownership for area in terms of safety and housekeeping

    • Understand the meat process

    • Demonstrates a thorough understanding of all equipment in the area, how it operates, what normal conditions are, and can identify abnormal conditions

    • Able to assist in identifying solutions to problems and short term alternatives to circumvent problems

    • Demonstrates ability to consistently run all KKM products at 95% A grade while optimizing moisture and minimizing regrind

    • Able to optimize extruder efficiency by balancing finished product inventory mixed meal level and extruder rates

    • Able to accurately troubleshoot mechanical and controls system issues

    • Able to help maintenance/tech services find long term solutions to problems in area

    • Able to cover for one other processing position, and keeps up to date in that area

    • Able to provide on-the-job training for new process associates on extruder operation, quality parameters, GMP’s, and safety

    • Able to understand and adjust the schedule when needed

    • Demonstrates consistent application of product knowledge in solving quality issues

    • Able to work with engineering and maintenance to make upgrades to area systems

    • Works on PMs on a regular basis

    OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

    • Maintain a clean, safe work environment that promotes associate safety and product integrity.

    • Improve operations through individual and group problem solving and provide leadership in solving problems on the floor and in meetings.

    • Promote high quality team environment through effective team work and self-direction with a positive attitude.

    • Obtain and maintain proficiency in job specific business systems such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel systems. Remain current with facility utilized business systems.

    • May have to perform special non-routine tasks associated with corporate requests, projects and tests

    • Participate in site action circles and focus groups as appropriate.

    • Train other area associates in operation of all areas and systems.

    • Other duties as required.

    Job Specifications/Qualifications

    • Associates degree or equivalent of 2-3 years’ experience (manufacturing environment preferred).

    • Good math, reading and writing skills.

    • High level of mechanical aptitude and knowledge with good skills in troubleshooting and problem solving.

    • Excellent housekeeping skills and knowledge of GMP's.

    • Good knowledge of personal computers.

    • Ability and willingness to develop and manage self, demonstrate self directed workgroup leadership and contribute to efficiency, quality and cost optimization with minimal supervision and a positive attitude.

    • The position will be physically demanding. The successful candidate must have:

    • Ability to lift 50 lbs

    • Ability to work 12 hour rotating shift

    • Ability to work under variable conditions such as heat, cold, high and /or confined spaces.

    • Ability to climb ladders

    • Ability to travel up and down stairs, repetitively

    • Ability to do repetitive bending and twisting

    • Ability to work with hazardous chemicals (phosphoric acid) and work with exposure to pressurized steam.

    • Forklift certified


    What can you expect from Mars?
    Work with diverse 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.
    A strong focus on 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.

    The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

    $25- $30 + shift premium (Pay dependent on experience)

    Working at Mars UK

    Hybrid

    Core hours 11–3

    Company employees:

    4,000 In the UK

    Gender diversity (m:f):

    57:43

    Hiring in countries

    Argentina

    Australia

    Austria

    Belgium

    Brazil

    Canada

    China

    Czechia

    Denmark

    Egypt

    Estonia

    France

    Germany

    Greece

    Guatemala

    Hungary

    Office Locations

    Company benefits

    Open to part-time employees
    Open to job sharing
    Open to compressed hours
    Sabbaticals
    Enhanced maternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
    Enhanced paternity leave – 26 weeks at 90% pay
    24 days annual leave + bank holidays
    “Pawternity” leave
    Pregnancy loss leave
    Bank holiday swaps
    Shared parental leave
    Adoption leave
    Family health insurance
    Pregnancy support
    Neonatal leave
    Faith rooms
    Meditation space
    Dog friendly office
    Dog friendly co-working space
    Annual bonus
    Employee discounts
    Cinema discounts
    Referral bonus
    Joining bonus
    Cycle to work scheme
    Electric Car Salary Sacrifice
    Enhanced pension match/contribution
    Theme park discounts
    Lunch and learns
    In house training
    Learning license
    Studying sabbaticals
    Open to part time work for some roles
    Menopause support
    On-site gym
    On-site barista
    Secure on-site parking
    On-site catering
    Private booths
    On-site wellness room
    Collaboration spaces

    Awards & Accreditations

    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    Flexa awards 2026
    3rd - Best Workplace Benefits

    3rd - Best Workplace Benefits

    Flexa awards 2026
    Most loved - Large companies

    Top 5 - Most loved - Large companies

    Flexa awards 2026
    Best Work-Life Balance

    Top 10 - Best Work-Life Balance

    Flexa awards 2026
    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    1st - Most Family Friendly Company

    Flexa awards 2025
    2nd – Pet Friendly

    2nd – Pet Friendly

    Flexa awards 2025
    Most Flexible Company

    Top 5 - Most Flexible Company

    Flexa awards 2025
    Most Inclusive Company

    Top 5 - Most Inclusive Company

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Work-Life Balance

    Top 10 - Best Work-Life Balance

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Career Progression

    Top 10 - Best Career Progression

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Workplace Culture

    Best Workplace Culture

    Flexa awards 2025
    Best Workplace Benefits

    Best Workplace Benefits

    Flexa awards 2025
    1st – Large companies

    1st – Large companies

    Flexa100 2024
    Consumer Goods

    Consumer Goods

    Industry awards 2023
    3rd – Large companies

    3rd – Large companies

    Flexa100 2023
    Retail & Ecommerce

    Retail & Ecommerce

    Industry awards 2022

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