Start Up Manager

Start-Up Manager

Location: Birstall, Leeds

Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits

Type: Full-time, Permanent

The Role

We’re looking for a Start up manager to play a pivotal role in delivering new production assets and driving performance across a fast-paced pet food manufacturing environment.

You’ll lead commissioning, validation, and start-up of equipment while owning the site’s loss analysis agenda—identifying where we lose efficiency, speed, and quality, and turning those insights into high-impact improvement projects.

This role is critical to ensuring our lines start strong, run efficiently, and continuously improve in a high-volume, high-demand setting—helping us deliver the quality pet nutrition that millions of pets rely on every day.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead commissioning, validation, and start-up (CVS) of lines/ equipment and new product development
• Drive safe, right-first-time start-ups with a strong focus on quality, food safety, and compliance
• Own and lead site-wide loss analysis across key metrics (OEE, waste, downtime, speed loss)
• Identify and prioritise the biggest losses impacting throughput, cost, and service
• Build and manage a pipeline of focused improvement projects aligned to business priorities
• Lead delivery of loss reduction initiatives—from data analysis through to shopfloor implementation and sustainment
• Apply structured problem-solving tools (RCA, 5 Whys, DMAIC) to eliminate root causes of chronic losses
• Champion TPM principles, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and operator ownership
• Work closely with production, engineering, and maintenance teams to improve line reliability and efficiency
• Support rapid ramp-up of new lines to target speeds, waste, and quality standards
• Support the delivery of site innovation projects (NPD/NPI) by identifying, monitoring, and escalating risks during relevant innovation stage‑gate milestones across issues pertaining to People, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, H&S

What We’re Looking For

• Engineering or technical degree (or equivalent experience)
• Strong experience in FMCG or high-volume manufacturing environments (food/pet food preferred)
• Proven track record in commissioning/start-up and driving line performance improvements
• Deep understanding of OEE, loss trees, and waste reduction in a production setting
• Experience delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, waste, and downtime
• Knowledge of TPM, Lean, or Six Sigma methodologies
• Strong presence on the shopfloor with the ability to engage and influence operators and leaders
• Data-driven, results-focused, and comfortable working at pace

Why Join Mars Petcare?

• Be part of a purpose-driven business: A Better World for Pets
• Work on products that make a real difference to the health and happiness of pets globally
• Join a company guided by the Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom
• Be empowered to own both start-up success and ongoing operational performance
• Access strong development opportunities within a global organisation that invests in its people
• Contribute to industry-leading standards in food safety, quality, and sustainability 

Mars is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or who are neurodiverse during the application and recruitment process. To request reasonable adjustments, complete our Reasonable Adjustment Request Form here.

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