Your Next Pour: The OpportunityWe are looking to add a Operational Startup and Product Development Supervisor to our team. This role will be responsible for being primary liaison between Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and R&D to ensure the successful installation, startup, qualification, and long-term operational success of new manufacturing equipment and processes. Additional responsibilities include:
- This role provides leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from equipment design review and factory acceptance testing through commissioning, startup, operational handoff, capability development, and continuous improvement.
- The supervisor is responsible for ensuring operational readiness, safety compliance, quality standards, preventive maintenance development, workforce capability, and support line owners to sustain performance following implementation.
- The ideal candidate is a strong operational leader with expertise in manufacturing systems, startup management, operational excellence principles, change management, and cross-functional collaboration.
The Perfect Blend: ExperienceNew Equipment Installation & Startup Leadership (Early Management)
- Serve as the primary operations representative for capital projects involving new manufacturing equipment, production lines, and process technologies.
- Partner with Engineering throughout equipment design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup activities (including Early Management Workbook).
- Ensure operational requirements are incorporated into equipment specifications, layouts, ergonomics, safety systems, and process designs.
- Participate in FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing), SAT (Site Acceptance Testing), commissioning activities, and startup validation.
- Coordinate startup plans and operational readiness activities to support successful project execution (safety, quality, reliability, and productivity)
- Monitor startup performance and coordinate corrective actions to address operational issues and improve equipment effectiveness.
- Establish equipment centerlines, operating standards, startup checklists, and process controls.
Safety Leadership
- Ensure all new equipment installations comply with company safety standards, regulatory requirements, and risk mitigation practices.
- Lead operational safety assessments, startup safety reviews, and hazard identification activities.
- Participate in risk assessments, machine guarding reviews, lockout/tagout validation, and operator safety evaluations.
Food Safety Quality Leadership (FSQ)
- Partner with Quality teams to ensure equipment and processes meet all product quality requirements.
- Support validation activities, process capability studies, and startup quality verification.
- Establish process controls and operational standards to maintain product consistency.
- Investigate startup quality issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Drive adherence to GMP, sanitation, food safety, and regulatory requirements as applicable.
Preventive Maintenance & Reliability Development (PM)
- Partner with Maintenance and Reliability teams to develop preventive maintenance strategies for newly installed equipment.
- Ensure PM procedures, spare parts inventories, lubrication plans, and maintenance documentation are established prior to operational handoff.
- Support maintenance training and equipment knowledge transfer.
- Assist in developing predictive and preventive maintenance programs to support long-term asset performance.
Operations Capability & Workforce Development
- Lead change management activities associated with new technologies and manufacturing processes in coordination with Line Owners.
- Ensure successful transition from startup phase to routine operations.
- Provide coaching and technical support to operators, supervisors, and support teams.
New Product Development & Commercialization Support
- Ensure manufacturing readiness for new product launches.
- Partner with R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Operations teams to support new product introductions initiatives.
- Lead change management activities for new products in coordination with Line Owners.
- Establish equipment centerlines, operating standards, startup checklists, and process controls.
Foundational Ingredients: Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field, or equivalent manufacturing experience.
- 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in a production, engineering, maintenance, startup, or operational excellence environment.
- Experience leading equipment installations, commissioning, startup activities, or capital projects.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, safety systems, quality systems, and reliability principles.
- Experience working in cross-functional environments with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D teams.
- Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing performance reporting systems.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future
- Must be located in Bradenton, FL surrounding area or willing to relocate for the duration of employment
- Willingness to be onsite daily in the Tropicana manufacturing plant in Bradenton, FL.
Preferred
- Food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical, or other high-volume manufacturing experience.
- TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence experience.
- Knowledge of Early Management methodologies.
- Experience supporting new product development and commercialization projects.
- Experience with reliability-centered maintenance and preventive maintenance program development.
- Six Sigma, Lean, TPM, or Project Management certifications.
Perks That Pack a PunchBG is pleased to offer you a comprehensive benefits package which includes a 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, company provided life, STD and LTD insurance. In addition, you may also elect to participate in voluntary life, accident, hospital, and critical illness coverages.
