Production Start Up Manager

We are Reckitt

Supply

About the role

The Production Start-up Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the end-to-end start-up execution of new production lines, equipment, or digital manufacturing initiatives across Reckitt's manufacturing network. This role ensures that projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and meet performance targets by leveraging virtual tools, remote collaboration, and standardized start-up excellence practices.

Your responsibilities

• Lead and assume full accountability for the end-to-end execution of the Vertical Start-Up process at site level, from installation readiness through to operational stabilization.
• Establish and manage robust risk assessments, mitigation plans, and risk registers to ensure effective start-up governance.
• Ensure all VSU deliverables are completed in accordance with defined standards, including formal validation and sign-off prior to ramp-up progression.
• Act as the single point of accountability for start-up readiness and performance delivery at site.
• Drive a structured and disciplined transition from Project Engineering to Operations, aligned with defined stage gates and VSU milestones.
• Validate that all equipment and systems are fully operational, compliant, and fit for intended use.
• Confirm that safety, quality, maintenance, and operating standards are established, documented, and effectively transferred to Operations teams.
• Provide leadership and coordination of cross-functional site teams, including Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Digital functions.
• Promote early engagement of operational teams through Early Equipment Management (EEM) principles to ensure readiness and ownership.
• Drive disciplined execution through structured daily management routines across all start-up phases.
• Develop and execute structured ramp-up plans to achieve defined performance targets, including OEE, throughput, quality yield, and equipment reliability.
• Systematically identify, analyze, and eliminate start-up losses and deviations from standard conditions.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to enable sustainable performance stabilization prior to increasing production speed or volume.
• Establish repeatable, standardized approaches to start-up execution, ensuring consistency and reliability across future deployments.

The experience we're looking for

• Proven experience in leading or playing a critical role in equipment, line, or plant start-ups, including commissioning, ramp-up, and stabilization phases.
• Solid background in manufacturing, engineering, processing, or operational excellence within FMCG, pharmaceutical, or related industries.
• Demonstrated success in delivering capital projects or major equipment installations, with a strong focus on performance ramp-up and value realization.
• Hands-on experience in driving operational readiness, including development of operating standards, maintenance strategies, and team capability prior to start-up.
• Strong track record in eliminating start-up losses and accelerating time-to-stable production using structured methodologies.
• Practical application of Lean, TPM, or Production Systems, particularly in start-up, reliability, or continuous improvement environments.

The skills for success

• Strong hands-on capability in leading equipment or line start-ups, ensuring smooth transition from installation to stable production.
• Ability to quickly identify issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions during high-pressure start-up phases.
• Effective in leading and influencing diverse teams (Operations, Engineering, Quality, Safety) without direct authority.
• Strong drive to deliver targets such as OEE, throughput, and time-to-stability, with a focus on eliminating losses and achieving sustainable performance.
• Ability to anticipate risks, make fact-based decisions, and take timely action to ensure safe and successful start-ups.

What we offer

Equality