Does Mars, Incorporated Hire Felons?
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Mars conducts background checks on all applicants and hiring reports are mixed. A record is not always an automatic disqualifier, but food-safety and consumer-trust standards make screening stricter than many manufacturers.
Mars does hire some people with records, but decisions are made case-by-case and reports are mixed. The privately held, family-owned company employs roughly 140,000 associates worldwide across four segments — Petcare, Snacking (chocolate and Wrigley), Food & Nutrition, and Mars Global Services — and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. U.S. factories include chocolate and candy plants in Hackettstown and Newark, New Jersey, and Chicago, Illinois, plus Mars Petcare pet-food facilities such as Columbus, Ohio. Mars conducts a pre-employment background check on essentially all hires, and some worker self-reports say a felony can be a barrier while others report being hired with a record. Because Mars makes food and pet products, food-safety and consumer-trust standards can make screening stricter than at heavy industry. Manufacturing associate, machine operator, and warehouse roles are the most common entry points; older, non-violent, job-unrelated records fare best.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing / Production Associate | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Running candy, chocolate, or pet-food lines. Primary entry role; paid training. Food-safety standards apply. |
| Machine Operator | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Operating and monitoring production equipment. Multiple shifts; off-shifts more available. |
| Warehouse / Material Handler | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Moving ingredients and finished product. Forklift certification is a plus. |
| Maintenance / Mechanical Technician | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Servicing plant machinery. Skilled trade; certifications and experience help offset a record. |
| Sanitation Associate | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Cleaning food-production areas to strict hygiene standards. Often off-shift; accessible entry point. |
Mars Hiring Practices
Mars, Incorporated is a privately held, family-owned maker of confectionery, pet food, and other food products, home to brands like M&M's, Snickers, Twix, Skittles, Pedigree, Royal Canin, and Iams. It employs about 140,000 associates worldwide and operates numerous U.S. factories, including chocolate and candy plants in New Jersey and Illinois and Mars Petcare pet-food facilities such as Columbus, Ohio. Mars conducts a pre-employment background check on essentially all applicants as part of a structured hiring process. Reports from workers are mixed: some say a felony can be a barrier, while others report being hired despite a record — which is typical of individualized, position-specific review. Because Mars produces food and pet products, food-safety regulations and consumer-trust standards can make screening stricter than at heavy manufacturing. Older, non-violent convictions unrelated to the job generally have the best chance, and state 'ban-the-box' laws may delay when the check occurs.
Tips for Getting Hired at Mars
Apply through the official Mars careers site and focus on manufacturing associate, machine operator, sanitation, and warehouse roles at a factory near you — these are the highest-volume entry points and often include paid training. Off-shift and sanitation positions tend to fill fastest. Be honest on your application: because Mars runs a background check on nearly all hires and reviews records individually, transparency plus a clear, positive account of your rehabilitation goes further than trying to hide a conviction, which can end a candidacy. Emphasize reliability, attention to detail, and any food-production, machine-operation, or forklift experience, since food manufacturing rewards consistency and hygiene discipline. Skilled-trade certifications help for maintenance roles. If a corporate-brand plant is hard to enter, Mars Petcare facilities are another avenue, and applying near a major hub broadens your options.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Apply at careers.mars.com and target manufacturing associate, machine operator, sanitation, or warehouse roles.
- 2.Off-shift and sanitation positions fill fastest and are easier entry points.
- 3.Be honest — Mars runs a background check on nearly all hires and reviews records individually.
- 4.Prepare a clear, positive explanation of your record plus rehabilitation documentation.
- 5.Highlight food-production, machine-operation, or forklift experience and reliability.
- 6.Consider Mars Petcare pet-food facilities as an alternate avenue if candy/chocolate plants are full.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Mars hire felons?
- Mars hires some people with records on a case-by-case basis, though reports are mixed. A background check is standard, and food-safety and consumer-trust standards can make screening stricter than at heavy manufacturing.
- Does Mars do background checks?
- Yes. Mars conducts a pre-employment background check on essentially all applicants, checking for misdemeanor and felony records as part of a structured hiring process.
- Does Mars drug test?
- Drug testing can apply depending on the role and location, particularly for manufacturing and warehouse positions. Check the specific job posting for requirements.
- What jobs does Mars hire for?
- Common openings include manufacturing/production associate, machine operator, warehouse/material handler, maintenance technician, and sanitation associate at candy, chocolate, and pet-food plants.
- Where are Mars factories located?
- Mars is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, with U.S. factories including Hackettstown and Newark, New Jersey; Chicago, Illinois; and Mars Petcare facilities such as Columbus, Ohio.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Mars Careers
Search and apply for manufacturing, warehouse, and corporate positions across Mars segments.
- National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.