Start-up Leader

Danone North America; Minster (OH); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Medical, Dental, and Vision

401(k) Plan

Flexible Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Danone North America is seeking a Start-Up Leader (SUL) in Minster, Ohio to lead the successful startup of initiatives. This role involves managing the entire startup lifecycle, ensuring quality and productivity while supporting the site’s goals.

The ideal candidate will have a strong manufacturing background and leadership experience, able to implement advanced operations strategies and communicate effectively with teams across the plant.

Included in the position are competitive benefits and a performance-based bonus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years manufacturing experience with demonstrated technical aptitude and leadership.
• Ability to work in a fluid environment.
• Ability to be self-directed with little supervision.

Responsibilities

• Implement startup models as defined by Global Initiatives Management.
• Oversee site startup team assigned to the initiative.
• Lead Manufacturing Readiness and Risk Assessments.
• Train and qualify teams in GSUM+.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership abilities

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Problem-solving skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

SAP knowledge

Education

High school diploma or GED

4-year engineering degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Job description

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.

Short Intro and About the Job

Start‑Up Leader (SUL) is accountable for implementing the successful startup 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 is responsible for managing the full startup lifecycle from planning and risk assessment to execution and final closeout while improving quality, minimizing downtime, and accelerating productivity. Acting as the primary operations point of contact, the Start‑Up Leader (SUL) ensures seamless integration of new processes into plant systems, supports continuous improvement efforts, and enables manufacturing teams to achieve sustainable, high‑performance outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Implementing GRPM2 (Glidepath PR Month 2), ISU (Instantaneous StartUp), G2T (Going to Target) or equivalent startup 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 startup 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 closeout of:
  • StartUp process performance
  • Overall initiative deliverables
• Maintain the Change Masterplan and Dashboard across the initiative lifecycle
• Ensure system scope, documentation, and startup 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 startup 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 startup actions, issue resolution, and cross‑functional alignment
• All other duties as assigned

Physical Demands

• While performing duties of this job, the employee is 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.
• The employee must 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 to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and results.
• The employee is frequently standing on a concrete surface for 8‑, 10‑ or 12‑hour shifts.
• Occasionally may need to climb stairs, step ladders, or a stool.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Ability to work up to 12‑hour shifts.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and may be exposed to loud noises in the plant. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and vibration.

Engagement in our 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). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to 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) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

Danone North America additionally offers a performance‑based bonus and a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401(k) Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.

About You

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we’re looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• 4‑year engineering degree or equivalent preferred
• 5+ years manufacturing experience with demonstrated technical aptitude and leadership

Knowledge, 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.

About Us, We offer and What's next

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose‑driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You’ll work with some of the best‑known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Follow Your Heart, Happy Family Organics, International Delight, Light + Fit, Nutricia, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, STK Cold Brew Coffee, Too Good & Co, and YoCrunch.

With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.

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. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America 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 please review the applicable statement.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, or any other protected status.