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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the start-up of new production lines and drive performance improvements in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Mars Petcare, a purpose-driven company dedicated to pet health and happiness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, and strong development opportunities within a global organisation.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values quality, responsibility, and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on pet nutrition while championing continuous improvement and innovation.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree or equivalent experience with a background in FMCG or high-volume manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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.
Start Up Manager in Plymouth employer: Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates
Contact Detail:
Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Start Up Manager in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your experience in commissioning and performance improvements. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges and driven results.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings—be proactive! Research companies you admire and reach out directly to express your interest. Tailor your message to highlight how your skills align with their needs, especially in high-volume manufacturing.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of landing that Start-Up Manager role! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative and show genuine interest in joining our team at Mars Petcare.
We think you need these skills to ace Start Up Manager in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Start-Up Manager role. Highlight your experience in FMCG or high-volume manufacturing, and don’t forget to showcase your skills in commissioning and driving performance improvements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about pet nutrition and how your background aligns with our mission at Mars Petcare. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: We love data-driven decision-making! In your application, mention specific examples where you've used structured problem-solving tools like RCA or DMAIC to tackle challenges in a production setting.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of commissioning, validation, and start-up processes. Familiarise yourself with the specific equipment and methodologies mentioned in the job description, like OEE and TPM principles. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also have a solid understanding of what it entails.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've applied structured problem-solving tools like RCA or DMAIC. Think about times when you identified losses in efficiency or quality and how you tackled those issues. This will demonstrate your ability to drive improvements in a fast-paced environment.
✨Engage with the Team
Since this role involves working closely with production, engineering, and maintenance teams, be ready to talk about your experience collaborating with different departments. Highlight any instances where you influenced operators or leaders to achieve better results, as this shows your strong presence on the shop floor.
✨Align with Company Values
Familiarise yourself with Mars Petcare's Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with these principles and how you can contribute to a purpose-driven business. This will help you stand out as a candidate who fits well within their culture.