Operational & Start Up Lead

Nestlé SA; Wisbech; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet food company is seeking an Operational Start Up Lead in Wisbech to plan and execute critical investment projects ensuring manufacturing excellence. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management within manufacturing, especially in the FMCG sector, and demonstrate strong leadership skills. This position offers a competitive salary of £40,000 - £45,000 along with comprehensive benefits including a discretionary annual bonus and private medical healthcare.

Benefits

Discretionary Annual Bonus

Private Medical Health Cover

Comprehensive Pension Scheme

Generous Annual Leave Allowance plus 12 additional ‘flex’ days

Qualifications

• Proven experience in project management within a manufacturing environment, particularly in the FMCG sector.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Effective leadership of cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams.
• Track record of motivating, coaching, and developing team members.
• Ability to collaborate with engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope and success criteria.
• Execute project designs in compliance with Nestlé standards.
• Coordinate stakeholders for a vertical start-up achieving manufacturing excellence.
• Lead and support the manufacturing project team.

Skills

Project management in manufacturing

Stakeholder relationship management

Cross-functional team leadership

Motivating and coaching team members

Collaboration with engineering teams

Job description

Operational Start Up Lead
Nestlé Purina
Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum depending on experience
Benefits: Discretionary Annual Bonus / Private Medical Health Cover / Comprehensive Pension Scheme / Generous Annual Leave Allowance plus 12 additional ‘flex’ days

Championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us; when we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business.

At Nestlé Purina, we’re on a mission to enrich the lives of pets, the people who love them, and the planet we share. Join us, and you’ll discover a world where your skills, knowledge, and passion can flourish. As part of our supportive and dynamic environment, you’ll be encouraged to challenge norms, experiment with new ideas, and drive meaningful change. At Purina, you’re not just part of a team; you’re part of a movement to create a better world for pets and people alike.

Our Wisbech factory makes some of the UK’s most well-known and much-loved brands, such as Felix, Winalot, Gourmet, and Purina ONE, and is constantly developing to meet the changing needs of our consumers. This factory is in its prime with significant capital investment on new lines and new exciting technology leading to fantastic development opportunities!

Position Summary

The Operational Start Up Lead will play a crucial role in planning and executing investment projects to ensure manufacturing excellence. This position involves coordinating contributions from all stakeholders from the investment project charter through to vertical start-up and sustained performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Planning and Coordination: Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, success criteria, and milestone deliverables, while developing the investment project charter and addressing local operational constraints.
• Project Design and Implementation: Execute project designs in compliance with Nestlé standards and ensure safety measures are in place. Lead the project team to align implementation with timing, cost, and quality standards, managing external interactions for necessary permits.
• Start-Up and Handover: Coordinate stakeholders to achieve a vertical start-up that meets manufacturing excellence criteria, facilitating a smooth handover to operations while ensuring staff competency and completing necessary documentation.
• Ongoing Project Management: Lead and support the manufacturing project team, integrating and coaching members, while maintaining communication with the End to End Project Manager and updating the steering committee.

What will make you successful

• Proven experience in project management within a manufacturing environment, particularly in the FMCG sector.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels for effective engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Effective leadership of cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and a shared vision.
• Track record of motivating, coaching, and developing team members to enhance performance and professional growth.
• Ability to collaborate with engineering teams to ensure project designs align with operational requirements and industry standards.

What we need you to know

What can we offer in return? Great benefits you’d expect from a business the size of Nestlé – in the shape of a competitive salary and benefits package, bonus scheme, pension scheme and a real focus on personal development and growth.

The closing date for this role is Monday 11/08/2025.

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect. When we embrace diversity and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. People of all gender identities, ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. If there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the application process, please let us know. We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity, our people make up a number of Colleague Networks who represent different experiences and communities who hold us accountable in creating a sense of belonging for all, and our values create the conditions for us to respect the unique contribution you bring. Find out more about our Colleague Networks here: Diversity, equity and inclusion | Nestlé (nestle.co.uk)

We are committed to equal opportunity for all and we may collect relevant data for monitoring purposes during our candidate registration process. Be yourself, everyone else is taken!

Operational Start Up Lead
Nestlé Purina
Location: Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum depending on experience
Benefits: Discretionary Annual Bonus / Private Medical Health Cover / Comprehensive Pension Scheme / Generous Annual Leave Allowance plus 12 additional ‘flex’ days

Championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us; when we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business.

At Nestlé Purina, we’re on a mission to enrich the lives of pets, the people who love them, and the planet we share. Join us, and you’ll discover a world where your skills, knowledge, and passion can flourish. As part of our supportive and dynamic environment, you’ll be encouraged to challenge norms, experiment with new ideas, and drive meaningful change. At Purina, you’re not just part of a team; you’re part of a movement to create a better world for pets and people alike.

Our Wisbech factory makes some of the UK’s most well-known and much-loved brands, such as Felix, Winalot, Gourmet, and Purina ONE, and is constantly developing to meet the changing needs of our consumers. This factory is in its prime with significant capital investment on new lines and new exciting technology leading to fantastic development opportunities!

Position Summary

The Operational Start Up Lead will play a crucial role in planning and executing investment projects to ensure manufacturing excellence. This position involves coordinating contributions from all stakeholders from the investment project charter through to vertical start-up and sustained performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Planning and Coordination: Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, success criteria, and milestone deliverables, while developing the investment project charter and addressing local operational constraints.
• Project Design and Implementation: Execute project designs in compliance with Nestlé standards and ensure safety measures are in place. Lead the project team to align implementation with timing, cost, and quality standards, managing external interactions for necessary permits.
• Start-Up and Handover: Coordinate stakeholders to achieve a vertical start-up that meets manufacturing excellence criteria, facilitating a smooth handover to operations while ensuring staff competency and completing necessary documentation.
• Ongoing Project Management: Lead and support the manufacturing project team, integrating and coaching members, while maintaining communication with the End to End Project Manager and updating the steering committee.

What will make you successful

• Proven experience in project management within a manufacturing environment, particularly in the FMCG sector.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels for effective engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Effective leadership of cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and a shared vision.
• Track record of motivating, coaching, and developing team members to enhance performance and professional growth.
• Ability to collaborate with engineering teams to ensure project designs align with operational requirements and industry standards.

What we need you to know

What can we offer in return? Great benefits you’d expect from a business the size of Nestlé – in the shape of a competitive salary and benefits package, bonus scheme, pension scheme and a real focus on personal development and growth.

The closing date for this role is Monday 11/08/2025.

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect. When we embrace diversity and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our business. People of all gender identities, ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. If there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the application process, please let us know. We take pride in championing inclusion and diversity, our people make up a number of Colleague Networks who represent different experiences and communities who hold us accountable in creating a sense of belonging for all, and our values create the conditions for us to respect the unique contribution you bring. Find out more about our Colleague Networks here: Diversity, equity and inclusion | Nestlé (nestle.co.uk)

We are committed to equal opportunity for all and we may collect relevant data for monitoring purposes during our candidate registration process. Be yourself, everyone else is taken!