Front End Specialist Launch Team in Wakefield

Further your career at Ball, a world leader in manufacturing sustainable aluminium packaging. Achieve extraordinary things when you join our team, and make a difference in your professional development, the community, and around the globe! Ball is thrilled to receive Newsweek's 2023 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplace award! As a sustainable product leader, we have over 16,000 global team members. From endlessly recyclable aluminium cans, and cups, to aerosol bottles, our goal is to contribute to a better community, society, and world.

Primary Purpose Of The Position

Working as part of a team of Process experts, the role will have responsibility predominantly for New Build, New Line and Line Conversion start‑up performance in cupper, bodymaker, and trimmer areas. He/she will have their own process area of responsibility based on their prior experience and role within the team. Responsibility will predominantly be driven by achieving Efficiency and Spoilage, respecting safety requirements in the first instance, with secondary responsibility for other KPIs such as Material usages, Production Supplies, and respecting also Environment prescriptions as appropriate to the area of expertise.

Essential Responsible Areas

• Champion a “safety‑first” culture, demonstrating safe work practices, ensuring equipment meets all compliance requirements, and coaching new team members to consistently follow safety expectations.
• Lead equipment start‑up and ramp‑up, providing hands‑on technical support during installation, setup, commissioning, and early production to ensure equipment meets design and performance specifications.
• Serve as the on‑site operational Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned process areas, applying advanced technical knowledge to guide the line toward stable, reliable, and high‑performance operation.
• Deliver structured training to plant teams, providing approximately 80% on‑the‑job (OJT) instruction and 20% classroom‑based learning to develop operator and mechanic capability in operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and quality practices.
• Provide real‑time troubleshooting and problem resolution throughout start‑up, diagnosing mechanical, chemical, and process issues to stabilise production quickly and develop line awareness within the plant team.
• Support and participate in root cause analysis, applying structured problem‑solving techniques to eliminate recurring issues and strengthen long‑term reliability.
• Validate SOPs, work instructions, and training materials, ensuring they accurately reflect new equipment requirements, start‑up conditions, and best operating practices.
• Promote food safety, sanitation, and housekeeping discipline, ensuring all startup activities and equipment meet regulatory and internal compliance standards.
• Assist with parts, tooling, and material readiness, verifying availability of critical start‑up resources and identifying ongoing operational needs early.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production, and Quality teams to transition the line from start‑up to steady‑state operations once defined performance targets are achieved.
• Capture, document, and communicate lessons learned to contribute best practices for future builds and continuous improvement across the network.
• Achieve Efficiency and Spoilage targets for all New Builds, New Lines, and Line Conversions in alignment with approved start‑up curves.
• Operate as part of a unified Start‑Up Team, taking shared responsibility for overall start‑up success while leading the assigned process area.
• Train and develop site personnel at recruitment and during start‑up to build sustainable process understanding, performance capability, and autonomous operation.
• Provide emergency breakdown support to reduce downtime and restore operations quickly during the critical start‑up phase.
• Support size conversions, ensuring local teams are capable of executing safe, efficient, and repeatable changeovers.
• Identify, share, and implement best practices to enhance future start‑ups and optimise long‑term operational performance.
• Supports implementation of BOE standards to a level 3, associated with the assignment scope for all safety, quality, business management, and maintenance pillar elements.

Position Requirements & Competencies

• Mechanical or electrical qualification
• Training/teaching qualification to minimum Train The Trainer
• Strong knowledge of the full Can making process and subject expert in at least one specific area.
• Ability to transfer Can making process knowledge to others
• Strong capability in equipment setup, troubleshooting, optimisation, and supporting line performance
• Competent computer skills for data analysis and report writing
• English communication skills (minimum communicative level)
• Preferred: Experience with line launches or rebuild projects
• Ownership mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and waste reduction
• Ability to mentor and develop less experienced team members
• Strong attention to detail and adherence to specifications
• Effective communication across all departments and levels
• Strong teamwork and collaboration mindset
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of operating in Can manufacturing
• Has used basic Problem Solving techniques and the basics of Lean
• Line launch or line project (e.g. equipment rebuild) experience preferred

Work Environment

This role supports central functions and offers flexible work arrangements including hybrid or fully remote options, subject to role requirements and manager approval.

Hiring Range

62,300 – 89,690 EUR gross per year. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and competencies, while taking into account internal equity and industry benchmarks.

Incentive Plan

This position is eligible to participate in Ball’s annual incentive compensation program.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Defined contribution pension, life insurance, accident and disability insurance, employee assistance program, and meal assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Ball Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively encourage applications from everybody, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, faith, ability, or orientation.