We are looking for a Plant Initiatives Lead to join our manufacturing team in Lviv.
This is a hands-on project leadership role at the heart of Plant operations, connecting business ideas with production reality. You will own the Plant side of projects from initial feasibility and planning through trials, approvals and successful first production.
You will play a key role in New Product Introductions (NPI), product changes, production trials and Plant improvement initiatives, working closely with Production, R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing & Sales, Category Development, suppliers and other stakeholders.
Your role will be to bring teams together, anticipate operational risks, ensure Plant readiness and turn projects into successful production results - while also identifying opportunities to simplify processes, reduce complexity and improve Plant efficiency.
Why this role matters:
Every new product, packaging change or production initiative needs to work in real-life manufacturing. As Plant Initiatives Lead, you will help make that happen by connecting functions, preparing the Plant, managing risks and ensuring projects move successfully from idea to implementation.
What you will do:
- Lead Plant projects and initiatives from initial planning through implementation, ensuring clear ownership, timelines and deliverables.
- Drive New Product Introductions (NPI), product changes and production trials, ensuring Plant readiness for first production.
- Lead ProStart meetings and coordinate approvals across pre-production, first production and post-production stages.
- Ensure all required materials, resources, equipment and production conditions are in place for successful first production runs.
- Work closely with R&D and relevant stakeholders to ensure trial results are delivered on time and communicated effectively.
- Assess the operational feasibility of new products, product changes and promotions from a Plant perspective.
- Lead Manufacturing and Supply Chain risk assessments and coordinate mitigation actions for relevant projects.
- Coordinate material phase-in / phase-out activities together with Supply Chain.
- Ensure master data, SAP and related systems are set up accurately and on time.
- Partner with R&D and D2P to ensure packaging solutions meet Plant requirements and are suitable for production.
- Develop and maintain clear Plant project plans and project briefs, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and according to quality and efficiency requirements.
- Lead Plant improvement and optimisation initiatives, including process simplification, project flow improvements, supply chain flows and systems.
- Identify opportunities to reduce Plant complexity, including SKU, blend and packaging material rationalisation.
- Act as a key contact for Marketing & Sales regarding Plant capabilities, capacity and operational possibilities.
- Build strong knowledge of Plant capabilities, capacity and constraints and use this knowledge to support business decisions.
- Monitor Plant capacity and proactively identify opportunities for capacity improvement.
- Support MOS development and lead the IM pillar.
- Participate in internal audits and ensure SAP data accuracy.
- 3+ years of experience in a Manufacturing environment, ideally with relevant Plant experience.
- Good understanding of production and technological processes.
- Experience in project coordination or project management, ideally in a manufacturing environment.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
- A proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
- Ability to bring different teams together, align stakeholders and move projects forward.
- Strong ownership and results orientation.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
- English and Ukrainian language skills.
- Experience with SAP and/or master data will be an advantage.
- Competitive salary and comfortable working conditions at our Lviv Plant.
- Relocation support for candidates from other cities.
- Compensation & benefits, including insurance and meal allowance.
- Rewards & recognition opportunities.
- Learning and development opportunities in a multicultural environment.
- An open and collaborative management culture.
- The opportunity to work on cross-functional projects that have a direct impact on Plant performance and business results.
- The opportunity to grow your expertise across manufacturing, project management, supply chain and Plant operations.
Ready to make an impact?
If you enjoy connecting people, processes, and production and turning projects into tangible results on the shop floor, we would love to hear from you.
Join JDE Peet’s and help us create a coffee for every cup and a brand for every heart.
JDE Peet’s - now part of Keurig Dr Pepper – is the world’s leading pure-play coffee company, with a presence in more than 100 markets. Guided by our ‘Reignite the Amazing’ strategy, we are focused on brand-led growth across three big bets: Peet’s, L’OR, and our 10 strategically selected local icons led by Jacobs.