Commissioning & Start-Up Manager

SIRE LIFE SCIENCES; Nuenen c.a.; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SIRE LIFE SCIENCES is seeking an experienced Commissioning & Start Up Manager to lead a major capital project involving a new UHT system, homogenizer, and aseptic storage tank. You will guide commissioning, qualification, and validation from construction to commercial production, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and realistic timelines.

The role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, and documentation skills, with Dutch and English fluency.

Qualifications

• Experience as Commissioning and Start Up Manager on large-scale industrial projects.
• Experience with commissioning, qualification, validation, and operational readiness.
• Background in food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, or process industries.
• Experience with customer-facing projects and complex stakeholder management.
• Ability to review and challenge project plans constructively.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience working with suppliers, project managers, and operational teams.
• GMP knowledge is highly desirable.
• VCA certification required; VCA Full preferred.
• Fluent Dutch and English language skills.
• Strong documentation and coordination expertise.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall Commissioning and Start Up strategy and plan.
• Lead all commissioning and start up activities from mechanical completion through commercial production.
• Coordinate project teams, site operations, suppliers, quality teams, and customers.
• Manage stakeholder communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support qualification and validation activities in compliance with project requirements.
• Ensure customer requirements and product acceptance criteria are incorporated into start up plans.
• Review project schedules and challenge assumptions where necessary.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Create realistic milestones and commissioning schedules.
• Support customer discussions regarding project status and achievable delivery timelines.
• Drive documentation, compliance, and operational readiness activities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

GMP knowledge

VCA certification

Dutch language

English language

Documentation

Qualification & validation

Communication

Job description

The Company

A leading manufacturer within the food and dairy processing industry, operating large scale production facilities and investing significantly in modernization and operational excellence. The organization focuses on advanced processing technologies, product quality, and efficient production of food products for international markets.

Role Description

An experienced Commissioning & Start Up Manager is required to lead a major capital investment project involving a new UHT system, homogenizer, and aseptic storage tank. The role is focused on ensuring a successful transition from construction to commercial production while managing commissioning, qualification, validation, and stakeholder alignment.

The successful candidate will provide structure, leadership, and objective planning to ensure realistic project timelines and successful customer acceptance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall Commissioning and Start Up strategy and plan
• Lead all commissioning and start up activities from mechanical completion through commercial production
• Coordinate project teams, site operations, suppliers, quality teams, and customers
• Manage stakeholder communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle
• Support qualification and validation activities in compliance with project requirements
• Ensure customer requirements and product acceptance criteria are incorporated into start up plans
• Review project schedules and challenge assumptions where necessary
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation plans
• Create realistic milestones and commissioning schedules
• Support customer discussions regarding project status and achievable delivery timelines
• Drive documentation, compliance, and operational readiness activities

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Commissioning and Start Up Manager on large scale industrial projects
• Strong experience with commissioning, qualification, validation, and operational readiness
• Background in food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, or process industries
• Experience with customer facing projects and complex stakeholder management
• Ability to review and challenge project plans constructively
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Experience working with suppliers, project managers, and operational teams
• Knowledge of GMP environments is highly desirable
• VCA certification required, VCA Full preferred
• Fluent Dutch and English language skills
• Strong documentation and coordination expertise

Other Information

• Shift Work: Occasional participation in shift operations may be required during commissioning activities
• Onsite Requirement: Primarily onsite with occasional remote working possibilities