Operation Start-up Lead (Manufacturing – Infant Nutrition)

Role Purpose

We are seeking a highly experienced professional to lead the operational planning and execution of manufacturing investment projects within a highly regulated food manufacturing environment (infant formula).

This role requires deep hands-on expertise in commissioning, operational readiness, and production start-up, with strict adherence to food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Candidates must be able to operate in a sensitive production environment where zero compromise on safety and compliance is required.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Project Leadership

• Own and lead the operations start-up strategy from project charter to commercial production
• Define scope, success criteria, and operational requirements aligned with business and regulatory needs
• Develop and enforce a robust Operations & Start-up Plan

2. Operational Readiness & Compliance

• Ensure full readiness across people, materials, processes, and systems before start-up
• Identify and mitigate operational risks, especially those impacting product safety and compliance
• Ensure all activities meet strict food safety, quality (e.g. hygiene, contamination control), and regulatory standards expected in infant nutrition manufacturing

3. Commissioning & Start-up Execution

• Lead commissioning, qualification, and verification in a highly controlled production environment
• Ensure all permits, validations, and regulatory approvals are secured before start-up
• Deliver projects meeting non-negotiable cost, timeline, quality, and safety targets

4. Production Ramp-Up & Handover

• Drive a stable and compliant ramp-up to production, ensuring product integrity at all times
• Ensure full documentation, validation, and readiness for factory handover
• Accountable for delivering output within defined cost, timing, and quality expectations

5. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead a cross-functional project team across engineering, quality, operations, and external partners
• Drive strict execution discipline and accountability in a high-stakes environment
• Act as the key operational interface with senior stakeholders

Minimum Requirements (Strict Screening Criteria)

• Proven experience in manufacturing start-up / commissioning within food, pharma, dairy, or other highly regulated industries
• Strong knowledge of GMP, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Demonstrated track record managing complex capital projects and production start-ups
• Solid experience in production ramp-up, validation, and operational readiness
• Experience working in sensitive production environments (e.g. infant nutrition, pharmaceuticals, high-care food) will be strongly preferred
• Proven ability to deliver projects within strict quality, safety, cost, and timeline constraints

Success Metrics

• Safe and compliant start-up of production lines
• Achievement of approved cost, schedule, and quality targets
• Stable operations with validated processes post start-up
• Full compliance with food safety, regulatory, and quality requirements
• ️ Important Note for Applicants

This role is based in a Tuas manufacturing site producing highly sensitive infant nutrition products. Only candidates with relevant experience in regulated manufacturing environments and hands-on start-up/commissioning exposure will be considered.

Contract Role - 2 years