Commissioning, Validation & Start-up Lead

Mars Incorporated; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite canteen subsidy

Health and wellness programs

Onsite parking

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking a Commissioning, Validation & Start-up (CVS) Lead for the Asquith site in New South Wales. You will own end-to-end CVS activities, ensuring on-time ramp-up, safety and quality standards across capital investments.

You will partner with regional and site engineers, manage budgets, supervise SMEs, and drive training to upskill operators and technicians, delivering robust handover to reliable operations.

Qualifications

• Requires engineering degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical or mechatronics disciplines.
• Proven track record in commissioning, qualification, validation and ramp-up in industrial settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end commissioning, qualification, validation and start-up for major capital projects at the Asquith site.
• Adhere to CVS Playbook, testing protocols and SOPs across equipment.
• Manage CVS project budget with disciplined tracking and milestone delivery.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Operations, R&D, Q&FS and HSE.
• Provide coaching to SMEs and oversee training for site operators and technicians.
• Establish handover criteria and ensure assets transition to reliable operations.
• Identify pinch points, drive root-cause analysis and report progress at gates and milestones.
• Demonstrate leadership in FMCG/food & beverage or related manufacturing environments.

Skills

Stakeholder mgmt

Project leadership

Commissioning/start-up

Technical coaching

Education

Engineering degree (Mech/Elect/Chem/Mecha)

Job description

Mars is a family-owned business that has been making products for people and their pets for more than 100 years. We’re behind some of the best loved brands in the world including MARS®, SNICKERS®, EXTRA®, ECLIPSE®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, DOLMIO®, BEN’S ORIGINAL ® MASTERFOODS ® and ROYAL CANIN® we are dedicated to making a positive impact on people and the planet.

Join us in building a sustainable future where people, communities, and the planet can truly thrive.

As the Commissioning, Validation & Start-up (CVS) Lead, you will be the operational cornerstone of our major capital investments at Asquith. Partnering closely with the Regional and Site Engineers, you will hold end-to-end accountability for leading, executing, and institutionalising commissioning, qualification, and start-up routines.

You will bridge the space between capital engineering and steady-state operations, ensuring all new equipment, processes, and systems ramp up on time, within budget, and to the highest safety and quality standards before final handover.

What you’ll do:

Lead end-to-end commissioning, qualification, validation, and start-up phases for major capital investment projects at the Asquith site, aligned with site, regional, and global Mars CVS standards.

Be guided by the CVS Playbook and ensure adherence to its testing protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) across temporary and permanent equipment.

Manage the dedicated CVS project budget within projects ensuring disciplined tracking, resource optimisation, and milestone deliver.

Act as a trusted partner to the Value Stream Manager and facilitate cross-functional decision-making across Engineering, Operations, Reliability, R&D, Quality & Food Safety (Q&FS), and Health, Safety & Environment (HSE).

Provide indirect line management, technical coaching, and clear direction to multi-disciplinary subject matter experts (SMEs) supporting commissioning activities.

Support the delivery of engaging classroom and hands-on training to upskill site operators and technicians, ensuring deep equipment fluency and operational readiness.

Establish rigorous handover criteria, complete milestone validation dossiers, and manage the full transition of assets into reliable, high-performing factory operations.

Proactively identify project pinch points, lead root-cause problem solving, track open actions, and report transparently on project gates and milestones.

Demonstrated track record leading or significantly contributing to commissioning, qualification, validation, and ramp-up activities within FMCG, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or advanced manufacturing environments.

Background in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Mechatronics Engineering, or extensive hands-on operational leadership within automated production lines.

Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the demonstrated ability to align diverse cross-functional teams (Operations, Engineering, Q&FS, R&D, HSE) around shared delivery timelines.

Strong competency in drafting robust technical documentation, validation protocols, FAT/SAT execution matrices, and SOPs.

High resilience, autonomy, and passion for continuous improvement, structured problem-solving, and budget control

Why you’ll love working for Mars:

Purpose:

Help craft beloved brands with a legacy of over 100 years of local manufacturing making products that people and pets will love all while helping to build a more sustainable future.

People:

A culture that values your contributions, fosters leadership, and recognises the impact you make. Your work truly matters here.

Development:

Shape your career with personalised development and real opportunities to grow from day one.

Enjoy a team and business environment that is invested in helping you manage and grow your energy for work and life.

Subsides onsite canteen.

Excellent Health and Wellness Programs including fitness passport, flu vaccinations, health checks and more.

Convenient onsite parking for a hassle-free commute.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

We know everyone’s needs are different, and we’re committed to making our application process accessible and supportive for all candidates. If you require any adjustments along the way, simply let us know in your application form. We’ll work with you to understand what will help you feel comfortable and supported.