Senior Operational Startup and Product Development Leader

Fresh-Squeezed Legacy, Bold New Chapter

Tropicana Brands Group is a $3B startup aiming to revolutionize the beverage category. Formed in 2022 as a joint venture between PAI Partners and PepsiCo, our portfolio includes iconic brands like Tropicana, Naked, KeVita, Izze, Copella, and Punica. With over 76 years of global leadership in the orange juice category, we’re committed to preserving this legacy while driving innovation in other areas. From reimagining orange juice to creating functional smoothies and driving afternoon refreshments, we are striving to become the undisputed global leader in fresh and chilled beverages.

The Supply Chain function is essential to Tropicana Brand Group’s success by enhancing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products. By improving warehouse operations, optimizing transportation routes, and refining inventory management practices, the team plays a critical role in streamlining processes. Collaborating with other departments to align strategies, the Supply Chain team ensures that Tropicana meets customer demands while maintaining a high standard of performance and cost-effectiveness. Through their efforts, they contribute to both short-term achievements and long-term growth.

Your Next Pour: The Opportunity

We are looking to add a Operational Startup and Product Development Supervisor to our team. This role will be responsible for being primary liaison between Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and R&D to ensure the successful installation, startup, qualification, and long-term operational success of new manufacturing equipment and processes. Additional responsibilities include:

• This role provides leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from equipment design review and factory acceptance testing through commissioning, startup, operational handoff, capability development, and continuous improvement.


• The supervisor is responsible for ensuring operational readiness, safety compliance, quality standards, preventive maintenance development, workforce capability, and support line owners to sustain performance following implementation.


• The ideal candidate is a strong operational leader with expertise in manufacturing systems, startup management, operational excellence principles, change management, and cross-functional collaboration.

The Perfect Blend: Experience

New Equipment Installation & Startup Leadership (Early Management)

• Serve as the primary operations representative for capital projects involving new manufacturing equipment, production lines, and process technologies.


• Partner with Engineering throughout equipment design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup activities (including Early Management Workbook).


• Ensure operational requirements are incorporated into equipment specifications, layouts, ergonomics, safety systems, and process designs.


• Participate in FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing), SAT (Site Acceptance Testing), commissioning activities, and startup validation.


• Coordinate startup plans and operational readiness activities to support successful project execution (safety, quality, reliability, and productivity)


• Monitor startup performance and coordinate corrective actions to address operational issues and improve equipment effectiveness.


• Establish equipment centerlines, operating standards, startup checklists, and process controls.

Safety Leadership

• Ensure all new equipment installations comply with company safety standards, regulatory requirements, and risk mitigation practices.


• Lead operational safety assessments, startup safety reviews, and hazard identification activities.


• Participate in risk assessments, machine guarding reviews, lockout/tagout validation, and operator safety evaluations.

Food Safety Quality Leadership (FSQ)

• Partner with Quality teams to ensure equipment and processes meet all product quality requirements.


• Support validation activities, process capability studies, and startup quality verification.


• Establish process controls and operational standards to maintain product consistency.


• Investigate startup quality issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.


• Drive adherence to GMP, sanitation, food safety, and regulatory requirements as applicable.

Preventive Maintenance & Reliability Development (PM)

• Partner with Maintenance and Reliability teams to develop preventive maintenance strategies for newly installed equipment.


• Ensure PM procedures, spare parts inventories, lubrication plans, and maintenance documentation are established prior to operational handoff.


• Support maintenance training and equipment knowledge transfer.


• Assist in developing predictive and preventive maintenance programs to support long-term asset performance.

Operations Capability & Workforce Development

• Lead change management activities associated with new technologies and manufacturing processes in coordination with Line Owners.


• Ensure successful transition from startup phase to routine operations.


• Provide coaching and technical support to operators, supervisors, and support teams.

New Product Development & Commercialization Support

• Ensure manufacturing readiness for new product launches.


• Partner with R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Operations teams to support new product introductions initiatives.


• Lead change management activities for new products in coordination with Line Owners.


• Establish equipment centerlines, operating standards, startup checklists, and process controls.

Foundational Ingredients: Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related field, or equivalent manufacturing experience.


• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in a production, engineering, maintenance, startup, or operational excellence environment.


• Experience leading equipment installations, commissioning, startup activities, or capital projects.


• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, safety systems, quality systems, and reliability principles.


• Experience working in cross-functional environments with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D teams.


• Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing performance reporting systems.


• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future


• Must be located in Bradenton, FL  surrounding area or willing to relocate for the duration of employment


• Willingness to be onsite daily in the Tropicana manufacturing plant in Bradenton, FL. 
  

Preferred

• Food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical, or other high-volume manufacturing experience.


• TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence experience.


• Knowledge of Early Management methodologies.


• Experience supporting new product development and commercialization projects.


• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance and preventive maintenance program development.


• Six Sigma, Lean, TPM, or Project Management certifications.

Perks That Pack a Punch

BG is pleased to offer you a comprehensive benefits package which includes a 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, company provided life, STD and LTD insurance. In addition, you may also elect to participate in voluntary life, accident, hospital, and critical illness coverages.