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