Start-up Leader

About the role

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Start-Up Leader (SUL) based in Minster, Ohio. The Start-Up Leader (SUL) is accountable for implementing the successful start-up of assigned initiatives in alignment with Global Initiatives Management standards. The role ensures readiness, risk mitigation, and delivery of initiative objectives while supporting zero-loss ambition at the site. This position manages the full startup lifecycle from planning and risk assessment to execution and final closeout, improving quality, minimizing downtime, and accelerating productivity. Acting as the primary operations point of contact, the Start-Up Leader ensures seamless integration of new processes into plant systems, supports continuous improvement efforts, and enables manufacturing teams to achieve sustainable, high-performance outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Implementing GRPM2 (Glidepath PR Month 2), ISU (Instantaneous Start-Up), G2T (Going to Target) or equivalent start-up models as defined by Global Initiatives Management.
• Delivering initiative outcomes that support compelling business needs by improving:
  • Quality-by-design
  • Reduction of plant unplanned downtime associated with the initiative
  • Productivity and speed to deliver results
• Oversee the site start-up team assigned to the initiative including staffing, resourcing, and communication plan.
• Activate the GSUM+ process, including DDS routines and communication with Operations on progress against tasks, deliverables, and results.
• Integrate initiative deliverables into plant standard systems.
• Own tracking, reporting, and final close-out of:
  • Start-Up process performance
  • Overall initiative deliverables
• Maintain the Change Masterplan and Dashboard across the initiative lifecycle.
• Ensure system scope, documentation, and start-up readiness.
• Train and qualify teams in GSUM+ and supporting tools.
• Support Site GSUM+ SWP health checks and IM Pillar assessments.
• Provide support to core operations as needed.
• Enable early manufacturing involvement and align on start-up success criteria.
• Own completion of the GSUM+ Initiative Tracker.
• Lead Manufacturing Readiness, ISU Risk Assessments, and TT&T plans.
• Coordinate plant-level risk mitigation with operations and external partners.
• Serve as the single operations point of contact for pre/post start-up actions, issue resolution, and cross-functional alignment.
• All other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste and/or smell, talk, and hear.
• Ability to bend and stoop at waist level as well as bend and twist neck and head.
• Regularly endure repetitive minimal to moderate lifting (10 lbs up to 50 lbs) and occasional team lifting above 50 lbs.
• Requires normal range of hearing and vision (including colors) to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate reports and results.
• Frequently standing on a concrete surface for 8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts.
• Occasionally may need to climb stairs, step ladders, or stools.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Work schedules could include nights, weekends, and/or holidays to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate.

Work Environment

• Regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• May be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and loud noises in the plant.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Integrated Work Systems

• Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE).
• Participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars:
  • Leadership foundation
  • Daily Direction Setting
  • Driving OE
  • Autonomous Maintenance
  • Planned Maintenance
  • Focused Improvement
  • Education and Training
  • Environmental, Health and Safety
  • Quality
  • Organization
  • Supply Network
  • Early Equipment Management
• Objective of owning your space, performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature), and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree, engineering degree, or equivalent preferred.
• 5+ years of manufacturing experience with demonstrated technical aptitude and leadership.
• Milk processing experience with fluid controls preferred (experience with HTST, pasteurization, CIP).
• Project Management experience preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Fundamental skills in influencing and persuasion.
• Strong interpersonal skills associated with developing trusting relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP.
• Ability to work in a fluid environment.
• Ability to identify problems, draw conclusions, and make recommended solutions.
• Ability to be self-directed with little supervision.
• Ability to adjust schedule to support 24/7 Manufacturing Operation, may include working overtime, night shift, and/or weekends as needed.

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage.
• 401k Plan.
• Wellness Program.
• Life Insurance.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Flexible Time Off.
• Paid Parental Bonding Leave.