Mars Inc

Sr. Engineering Project Manager - Controls

Mars Inc • $110K — $130K *
Columbia, SC 29223In-Person
Food & Beverages
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering required
  • 5+ years' experience in a technical role or 10+ years in Controls within the Food and Beverage industry
  • In-depth knowledge of low-voltage electrical systems, PLCs, and HMI/SCADA interfaces
  • Familiar with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Factory IT Systems
  • Experience managing capital projects and budgets effectively
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills
  • Ability to travel up to 50% for project support

Responsibilities

  • Research and evaluate emerging automation technologies for project needs
  • Manage multiple capital investment projects from scoping to closure
  • Oversee integration of automation systems within existing manufacturing infrastructures
  • Collaborate with engineering teams to optimize manufacturing process solutions
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards and quality guidelines
  • Identify and mitigate project risks to ensure successful delivery
  • Facilitate project handover to operational teams and ensure effective system commissioning
  • Communicate project status and updates to all stakeholders

Benefits

  • Influence across 14 sites in the Pet Nutrition North American network
  • Work with over 130,000 associates guided by The Five Principles
  • Engage with a purpose-driven company focused on future building
  • Access to best-in-class learning and development support including Mars University
  • Competitive salary and benefits package including bonuses
Full Job Description
Job Description:

Sr. Engineering Project Manager - Controls

Based at OH, NE, CA, AR

Travel up to 50% to support projects

In this role, you won't just keep the lights on-you will run the show on multi-million dollar capital investment projects, researching and implementing cutting-edge automation solutions from technical scoping to final handover. If you want to bridge the gap between traditional plant-floor controls and modern Factory IT, this is your next step.
What are we looking for?

Minimum:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering AND
  • 5+ years' experience in a comparable technical position OR
  • 10+ Controls experience within the Food and Beverage industry
  • In-depth knowledge of industrial low-voltage electrical systems, instrumentation, PLCs, and HMI/SCADA interfaces (e.g., Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).
  • Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)/Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) systems, Factory IT Systems (physical/virtual servers, networks), and Factory Cyber Security is a plus
  • Demonstrated success managing capital projects (scheduling, managing contractors, and controlling budgets).
  • Proven ability to work in a team environment and on high performing teams
  • Strong communication, listening, and influencing skills
  • Ability to travel up to 50% to support plant commissioning, critical project startups, and technical handovers.


Preferred:
  • Electrical or Electronics Engineering or other related electrical or controls degree
  • 5+ years' experience in a comparable technical position within the following industries: food, beverage, pharmaceutical or related
  • Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or MOM platforms.
  • Familiarity with Factory IT Environments (virtualized servers, industrial networking protocols, and factory cybersecurity frameworks).


What will be your key responsibilities?
  • Technology Research, Evaluation, and Selection: Research and evaluate emerging digitalization and automation technologies to identify solutions suitable for specific project requirements in collaboration with regional and global engineering.
  • Delivering several capital investment projects simultaneously, from providing technical scoping with internal customer and business stakeholders, through design with 3rd parties, to Project Closure.
  • System Integration and Implementation: Oversee the integration and implementation of digitalization and advanced automation systems within existing manufacturing infrastructure. Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to ensure seamless deployment and adherence to project timelines.
  • Collaboration and Automation: Collaborate with controls engineers, and IT/automation engineers to tailor solutions for optimal performance to meet the unique requirements of manufacturing processes.
  • Compliance and Standards Adherence: Ensure digitalization and automation projects comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, safety, and quality guidelines.
  • Risk Management: Identify and manage project risks associated with digitalization and automation initiatives. Mitigate potential issues and resolve project-related challenges to ensure successful project delivery.
  • Handover to Operations: Facilitate the transition of completed projects to operations and technical teams. Ensure digitalization and automation systems are properly commissioned, tested, and handed over for ongoing maintenance and support.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Provide regular updates on project status, milestones, and deliverables.
  • Budget and Resource Management: Manage project budgets and resources effectively to ensure cost-efficient execution of digitalization and automation projects. Monitor expenditures, allocate resources, and track project progress against financial targets.
  • Training and Knowledge Transfer: Provide training and support to end-users and operational staff on using and maintaining digitalization and automation systems. Facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development to ensure successful adoption and utilization of new technologies.
  • Vendor and Supplier Management: Collaborate with external vendors and suppliers to procure hardware, software, and services required for digitalization and automation projects. Negotiate contracts, manage vendor relationships, and ensure deliverables meet quality standards and specifications.


What can you expect from Mars?
  • Ability to have influence across 14 different sites across the Pet Nutrition North American network
  • 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 does not sponsor visas for this role.

This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.

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About Mars Inc

Mars, Incorporated is an American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products. It was founded in 1911 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Mars operates in six business segments: Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. Some of its most popular brands include M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Skittles, and Pedigree. The company is known for its commitment to sustainability and has set a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 67% by 2050.
Learn more about Mars Inc
Size
125,000 employees
Industry
Food & Beverages
Founded
1911
* Ladders Estimates

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