Machine Operator - Nights

About the role

Job Title: Machine Operator

• Technician (Making/Packing) Location: Aurora, NE (Mars Petcare) Shift: Nights
• Monday to Friday - 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent Join Our Team in Aurora, NE Are you a hands-on technical problem solver looking for a stable, high-paying career with a global industry leader? Mars Petcare is seeking a Machine Operator
• Technician (Making/Packing) to join our night shift production team in Aurora, Nebraska. Whether you are an experienced manufacturing professional, a skilled industrial technician, or a transitioning military Veteran, Reservist, or National Guard member, we welcome your technical expertise! At Mars, we highly value the safety-first mindset, technical diagnostics, and team coordination developed during military service. We provide comprehensive, industry-leading training and development to help you translate your mechanical and operational skills into a successful civilian career. What We Offer (Total Compensation & Benefits) Mars Petcare offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package starting on your very first day: Health & Wellness: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance. Financial Security: Competitive base pay, annual company bonus potential, and an exceptional 401(k) company match. Work-Life Balance: Immediately eligible (based on hire date) for up to three weeks of paid vacation, 12 Paid Holidays per year, and accrued Sick Pay. Family Support: Paid Maternity & Parental Leave, plus Short-Term and Long-Term Disability. Career Growth: Best-in-class learning and development support, including access to our in-house Mars University.

Key Responsibilities

As a technical Machine Operator, you will serve as the system expert for our high-speed making and packing equipment. Equipment Operation: Safely and efficiently operate advanced packaging and processing machinery to meet daily production goals. Diagnostics & Maintenance: Assess equipment reliability, perform routine preventative maintenance (PMs), make mechanical adjustments, and troubleshoot malfunctions to the root-cause level.

Product Quality Ownership: Conduct standard quality control checks, including metal detection, date code verification, item number checks, and critical control point (CCP/oPRP) audits. Operational Execution: Load packaging materials, clear equipment jams, reset machine faults, and lead seamless product changeovers.

• Data Management: Utilize basic computer systems to record production metrics and maintain clean, accurate shift documentation.
• Safety & Sanitation: Maintain a safe work environment by strictly adhering to personal safety practices and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Position Requirements Minimum

Qualifications

Education: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent civilian/military education. Experience: Passion to work and learn in a fast-paced manufacturing environment (2+ years of manufacturing machinery operation preferred, but equivalent mechanical/technical military experience is highly valued). Professional Skills: Strong communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills. Physical

Requirements

• Ability to stand on a concrete floor for extended periods.
• Physical mobility to bend, stoop, twist, turn, reach, and climb stairs.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to obtain and maintain OSHA forklift certification (Mars will provide full on-site licensing and training for forklift assignments).
• Willingness to wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hair net, bump cap, ear plugs, safety shoes, and uniform.

Military & Veteran Technical Equivalency Guide At Mars, your technical training and mechanical expertise are highly respected.

If you served in any of the following fields (or a related occupational specialty), your background maps directly to this technician role: U.S. Army: Allied Trade Specialist (91E), Wheeled Vehicle Repairer (91B), Track Vehicle Repairer (91H), Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer (91M), Horizontal Construction Engineer (12N).

U.S. Navy: Machinist's Mate (MM), Machinery Repairman (MR), Engineman (EN), Gas Turbine System Technician (GSM/GSE), Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM). U.S. Air Force: Aerospace Propulsion Specialist (2A6X1), Aircraft Metals Technology (2A7X1), Tactical Aircraft Maintenance (2A3X3), Pavements & Construction Equipment (3E2X1).

• U.S. Marine Corps: Machinist (2161), Metal Worker (1316), Engineer Equipment Operator (1345), Main Battle Tank Repairer (2146), Motor Vehicle Operator (3531).
• U.S. Coast Guard: Machinery Technician (MK), Damage Controlman (DC).
• About Mars, Incorporated Mars is a family-owned business with over a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love.

We produce some of the world's best-loved brands: M&M's®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, BEN'S ORIGINAL®, and COCOAVIA®. Alongside our consumer brands, we proudly take care of half of the world's pets through our nutrition, health, and services businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, AniCura, VCA™, and Pet Partners™.

The Mars Five Principles - Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom - inspire our 130,000 Associates to take action every day toward creating the world we want tomorrow.