Manufacturing Project Manager

Job Title: Manufacturing Project Manager - known internally as Start Up Leader / Line Lead

Location: Billingham (Home of McCoy's, Wheat Crunchies, Pombear and more)

Type: Permanent Role

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and innovative Start Up Leader to join our Manufacturing & Production department at KP Snacks. In this role, you will be responsible for leading the start-up phase of a new process and wrapping line, ensuring smooth operations and successful implementation. After this phase, the candidate will then be the Line Lead of that area.

What will you be doing?

• Delivery of Vertical Start Up (VSU) for new production facility.
• Lead for manufacturing readiness for the project.
• Deliver Commissioning, Qualification and Verification within a food manufacturing environment, utilizing the principles of Intersnack Work Systems and the Initiative Management Pillar.
• Manage and Control of the VSU process.
• Own staffing and resourcing for start-up support.
• Lead communication with operations on progress against VSU tasks, deliverables, and results.
• Site operations single point of contact for issue resolution and alignment.
• Responsible for reporting and tracking for start-ups to all levels of the site team.
• Deliver the Project criteria through to close out at Verification stage.
• Provide coaching and support to the operations team involved in the project.
• Define and deploy a Technology Transfer and Training plan.
• Develop effective teamwork with particular reference to integration within other functions and with a one team, one goal approach.
• Present to all levels on Project updates and reviews.
• Responsibility for pre-production budget and cost tracking up to close out.
• Coordinate plant level risk mitigation plan with external partners, engineering, and operations.
• Liaise with the factory leadership team to ensure that activities are aligned with IWS Principles and ways of working.
• Ensure company standards and statutory regulations are complied with, within own area of control.
• Maintain working practices in relation to Health, Safety, Environment, and Housekeeping, identifying and immediately actioning all hazards and unsafe working practices.
• As Line Lead, manage a 24/7 team to deliver Key Performance Indicators, working closely with your Process Lead and Maintenance Lead.
• Drive breakthrough results using a PDCA approach.
• Utilize Lead tools and principles to lock in results.

What's in it for you?

Some of the benefits you can expect:

• Competitive salary, depending on the skills and experience you can bring.
• Bonus scheme.
• Annual Salary Review.
• Medicash health cash plan.
• Private healthcare (role/grade dependent).
• Digital GP and Best Doctors (2nd Medical Opinion service).
• Cancer care.
• Company sick pay (eligibility criteria exist).
• Holiday buy scheme.
• Electric Vehicle Scheme.
• KP4ME - online benefits, discounts, prizes, competitions, and information platform with access to mental, physical, and financial wellbeing information and tools.

Job Requirements

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience in a food manufacturing/production environment and/or FMCG.
• Experience working within a Project Team.
• Operational Management experience in a food manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing techniques/IWS ways of working.
• Understanding of Project management tools.
• Cost Centre Management, Budgeting, and Forecasting experience.
• Knowledge of legislative requirements and responsibilities relating to Health, Safety, and Environmental issues.
• Understanding of Food Safety Legislation.
• Experience working with Quality Management Systems.