Launch Leader

Danone•Minster, OH

20h•Onsite

About The Position

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire a Launch Leader based in Minster, OH! This role is accountable for leading and coordinating site‑level change across innovation, renovation, productivity, and sourcing initiatives. The position ensures early manufacturing engagement, strong execution discipline, and successful vertical start‑ups while minimizing production disruption and enabling speed, reliability, and performance across the plant.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field
8 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, or project execution roles
Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and align cross‑functional teams
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment
Solid knowledge of manufacturing operating standards and ways of working
Demonstrated capability to coach and develop others through change and execution
Proficiency in GSUM+ (Level 4) initiative execution standards
Working knowledge of CAPEX governance (SHERPA Level 2) and Project Management fundamentals (Level 2)
Must understand vague and implicit instructions and react favorably in all work situations
Must be mentally adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people
Must be able to communicate providing verbal feedback in a professional manner

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or certification in Project Management, Operations Excellence, or Supply Chain

Responsibilities

Support and coordinate the site/module change master plan, ensuring strong manufacturing linkage between upstream and downstream (plant) resources.
Align the site change master plan with the Operations master plan to minimize impact to production, productivity, cost, and inventory.
Represent Manufacturing during the preliminary definition of all site-impacting projects, providing early input prior to start-up team formation.
Apply GSUM+ change classification to define appropriate staffing, capability, and support strategies.
Lead and coach site start-up leaders in the execution of GSUM+ Standard Work Processes (SWP).
Act as the site escalation point to remove barriers and ensure alignment of work processes to required initiative deliverables.
Lead the site Launch Team to execute initiative deliverables, standards, technology transfer, and training to operations.
Manage initiative start-ups and serve as Start-up Leader for the most complex site initiatives.
Leverage strong knowledge of site systems (planning, DDS, RTT, etc.) and organizational structure to drive effective execution and integration with operations.
Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE).
Participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.