Operations & Start-Up Manager

This role is aligned to the Coffee Operating Unit

Location: Spartanburg 2 – 3220 Moore Duncan Hwy, Suite 100, Gate A, Moore, SC 29369

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, with occasional after-hours support as needed.

The Operations & Start-Up Manager is responsible for driving safe, efficient, and reliable production operations while leading the successful start-up, ramp-up, and transition of new equipment and production lines into stable operations. This role provides operational leadership across shifts and coordinates closely with Production, Engineering, R&D, Maintenance, Quality, Planning, Warehousing, and other key functions to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Productivity goals.

Position Responsibilities

• Foster a proactive safety culture with a goal of zero incidents while ensuring completion of required safety training, programs, and standards.
• Lead daily production operations and provide clear tactical direction to teams to meet schedule, service, quality, and performance targets.
• Develop and execute CQV and ramp-up strategies, including success criteria, KPIs, milestones, schedules, resource plans, and risk management.
• Lead structured ramp-up activities for new production lines and equipment from installation through operational readiness, stable production, and final handover to Operations.
• Facilitate hourly, daily, and weekly cross-functional meetings to monitor performance, resolve issues, remove roadblocks, and escalate risks.
• Establish clear priorities when competing needs arise across Operations, Engineering, R&D, Maintenance, and other functions.
• Drive execution of ramp-up plans, including operational trials, training, material readiness, equipment capability studies, and action tracking.
• Establish visual management systems and performance tracking tools that provide transparency into goals, actions, training, and ramp-up progress.
• Ensure CQV gating processes, required approvals, documentation, and sign-offs are completed and maintained within company systems.
• Support development and implementation of operating, setup, cleaning, maintenance, food safety, quality, and safety standards to ensure consistent and sustainable operations.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Kaizen, TPM, 5S, standardized work, Poka-Yoke, Visual Factory, and other operational excellence methodologies.
• Optimize staffing models and develop a flexible, cross-trained workforce through effective training, competency development, and knowledge transfer.
• Build, coach, and develop high-performing teams while supporting employee engagement, accountability, succession planning, and morale.
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, R&D, Planning, Warehousing, and other support functions to drive operational performance and successful equipment/process handover.
• Ensure equipment and processes meet operational requirements, support acceptance testing, complete required documentation, and achieve sustainable production performance.
  

Leadership Expectations

• Create a culture of trust, inclusion, accountability, safety, and employee well-being.
• Establish clear goals and priorities while driving accountability through consistent communication and performance management.
• Lead by example, fostering collaboration, problem-solving, innovation, and continuous learning across functions.
  Maintain a safe, engaging, and disciplined work environment where employees are aligned, empowered, and equipped to succeed.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and ensure teams remain focused on shared operational and ramp-up objectives.

• Targeted annual compensation range of $100,000–$120,000.
• This is a salaried, exempt position paid biweekly. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. 
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates 

Benefits (Effective Day One, Where Applicable):

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Disability Coverage

• Paid Time Off (including vacation and sick leave)

• 401(k) with company match

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Mileage Reimbursement

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; technical degrees in Engineering, Technology, Operations, or a related field strongly preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably with experience in production start-up, ramp-up, or new equipment implementation.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma, TPM, 5S, Autonomous Maintenance, Poka-Yoke, Visual Factory, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating complex projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of production operations, equipment readiness, process capability, standardized work, and operational performance.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to develop and interpret performance data and visual management tools.
  Proven ability to build, develop, coach, and lead high-performing teams.
  Strong organizational, prioritization, time-management, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organization.
• Self-motivated and decisive, with the ability to work independently while effectively coordinating across multiple functions

Keurig Dr Pepper (Nasdaq: KDP) is a leading beverage company with more than 150 owned, licensed and partner brands that meet a wide range of needs and occasions. Our North American refreshment beverage business holds leadership positions across carbonated soft drinks, water, juice and mixers with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Dr Pepper®, Canada Dry®, Mott’s®, A&W®, Peñafiel®, GHOST®, 7UP®, Snapple®, Clamato® and Core Hydration®. Our global coffee business spans more than 100 markets and includes the leading Keurig® single‑serve brewing system in the U.S. and Canada, along with powerhouse brands such as Peet’s, L’OR and Jacobs, and other regional coffee leaders. Our more than 50,000 employees aim to enhance the experience of every beverage and coffee occasion while making a positive impact for people, communities and the planet.

We strive to be an employer of choice, providing a culture and opportunities that empower our team to grow and develop. We offer robust benefits to support your health and wellness as well as your personal and financial well-being. We also provide employee programs designed to enhance your professional growth and development, while ensuring you feel valued, inspired and appreciated at work.

Whatever your area of expertise, at KDP you can be a part of a team that’s proud of its brands, partnerships, innovation and growth. Will you join us?

Keurig Dr Pepper is an equal opportunity employer and recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability or association with a person with a disability, medical condition, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

A.I. Disclosure: 
KDP uses artificial intelligence to assist with initial resume screening and candidate matching. This technology helps us efficiently identify candidates whose qualifications align with our open roles.  AI does not make hiring decisions; all decisions throughout the hiring process are made by talent acquisition team members.  If you prefer not to have your application processed using artificial intelligence, you may opt out by emailing your resume and qualifications directly to kdpjobs@kdrp.com in lieu of clicking Apply. In order for your application to be considered and opted out of AI, you must include the words "AI Opt-Out" and either job title and location or Job ID # in the email subject line in your email application.