Start-up Leader

Danone; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Danone USA in Fort Worth, TX is seeking a Start-up Leader to transform innovative ideas into manufacturing reality. You will lead site start-up activities for capital projects, drive readiness, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure operational integration across the Fort Worth yogurt facility.

The role requires Lean/CI expertise, risk management, and the ability to work 24/7 shifts as needed to support a manufacturing operation, with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering preferred; at minimum, HS diploma or GED.
• 3+ years leading projects in high-speed CPG manufacturing if no engineering degree.
• Experience in manufacturing with demonstrated project management and leadership.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, TPM, IWS, Continuous Improvement, or other Operational Excellence methods; leading teams.
• Experience leading equipment, process, product, or production start-ups; delivering business results.

Responsibilities

• Lead site start-up activities for major manufacturing initiatives.
• Drive start-up readiness, cross-functional execution, risk management, and operational integration.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve start-up objectives.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks and partner with plant leadership to meet targets.
• Track results and ensure sustainable integration into daily operations.

Skills

Stakeholder influence

Analytical skills

Communication

Process improvement

Prioritize & multitask

Independent work

Schedule flexibility

Lean manufacturing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Job

Bring Innovation to Life at Danone

At Danone, we're dedicated to bringing health through food to as many people as possible. We are currently looking to hire a Start Up Leader based in Fort Worth, Texas! As a Start-up Leader, you'll play a critical role in transforming innovative ideas into successful manufacturing operations by leading site start-up activities for strategic capital and operational initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to lead cross-functional teams, drive manufacturing readiness, manage operational risk, and ensure successful project implementation while helping shape the future of our Fort Worth, Texas yogurt manufacturing facility.

What You'll Do:

As the Start-up Leader, you will lead the successful implementation of manufacturing initiatives by driving start-up readiness, cross-functional execution, risk management, and operational integration across the Fort Worth plant.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead site start-up activities for major manufacturing initiatives
• Drive manufacturing readiness, training, and technology transfer
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve start-up objectives
• Identify and mitigate operational risks
• Partner with plant leadership to deliver performance targets
• Track results and ensure sustainable integration into daily operations

Physical Demands

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, handle objects or tools, reach, climb stairs and ladders, balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, and communicate verbally. The role may occasionally require lifting or moving up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements may include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise and temperature variations.
• Schedules may include nights, weekends, and holidays to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation and business needs.

Engagement in Our Integrated Work Systems:

Ensure adherence to applicable plant standards and procedures, including Safety, Quality, GMP, IWS, and operational requirements. Participate in the implementation and deployment of IWS systems and pillars, taking ownership of performance and continuous improvement. Apply GSUM+ and supporting tools, support the Site GSUM+ SWP health check and IM Pillar Annual Assessment, and build Operations capability through technology transfer and training.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• 401k Plan
• Wellness Program
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Time Off
• Paid Parental Bonding Leave
• among other benefit plan options.

About You

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field is highly preferred. At minimum, candidates must have a completed high school diploma or GED.
• Candidates without a completed engineering degree will be considered if they have 3+ years’ experience leading projects in a high-speed CPG manufacturing environment.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment with demonstrated technical project management and leadership capability, required
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, TPM, IWS, Continuous Improvement, or other Operational Excellence methodologies, AND prior experience leading teams and projects, required.
• Experience leading equipment, process, product, or production start-ups, highly preferred
• Proven success managing risks, driving accountability, and delivering business results in a manufacturing setting, preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and lead without direct authority
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Fundamental skills in influencing and persuasion
• Ability to drive process improvements in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP
• Ability to work in a fluid environment
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Ability to adjust schedule to support a 24/7 Manufacturing Operation, work schedules may include working days, nights and/or weekends as business needs dictate.

About Us

Danone USA is an industry-leading food & beverage company, with a mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible. Founded in the Bronx in 1942 as Dannon Milk Products, Danone USA now employs 5,000 people across more than 10 U.S. manufacturing facilities.

When you join Danone USA, you’ll help make products for well-known brands including Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.

You’ll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world, working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet.

Danone USA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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