Plant Initiative Lead, UA

JDE Peet’s is the world's leading pure-play coffee and tea company, with local roots dating back to 1753, and is headquartered in the Netherlands. We unleash the possibilities of coffee and tea in more than 100 countries with a portfolio of over 50 brands, including L’OR, Peet’s, Jacobs, Senseo, Tassimo, Douwe Egberts, OldTown, Super, Pickwick and Moccona.

What’s it like to work at JDE Peet’s?

We are people united by the power and possibility of tea and coffee. At JDE Peet’s, we thrive on the freedom to pursue opportunities, provoking new ideas to make an impact at scale. Our ambition is simple – JDE Peet's: unleashing the possibilities of coffee and tea.

We bring action to our intentions, following through on what was agreed, always pushing things forward. We offer our people a range of learning and development programmes to support their personal growth. We’ve worked hard to build an open, collaborative environment where you can approach anyone and be heard.

At JDE Peet's, we believe it’s amazing what can happen over a cup of coffee or tea.

Apply to unleash a cup of amazing for your career. 

We are looking for a proactive Plant Initiatives Lead who will be responsible for driving technical and operational projects across the plant, ensuring the successful introduction of new products, materials, and processes. This role coordinates cross‑functional teams, leads project execution, optimizes plant capabilities, and supports continuous improvement to deliver efficiency, quality, and on‑time implementation of all initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Process Leadership

• Lead project planning, coordination, and implementation across plant functions.
• Validate new products and production lines, including full CQV (Commissioning, Qualification, Validation).
• Ensure trial results are delivered on time and communicated to all stakeholders in alignment with R&D.
• Organize and lead ProStart meetings and approvals (pre‑production, first production, post‑production).
• Coordinate first production runs and ensure the availability of required materials and resources.
• Prepare preliminary BOM calculations for new projects.
• Track and analyze project-related losses.

Material & Master Data Management

• Lead material phase‑in/phase‑out processes to minimize write‑offs while ensuring supply chain continuity.
• Ensure master data and systems are set up accurately and on time; maintain and clean redundant data.
• Verify plant feasibility for product changes, new introductions, and promotions proposed by MSUs, R&D, and Category Development.

Packaging, Artwork & Technical Requirements

• Collaborate with D2P and R&D to ensure new packaging artwork meets plant technical requirements.
• Confirm delivered packaging materials are suitable for production.

Planning & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Develop and maintain plant project planning with MSUs, R&D, Category teams, suppliers, and production.
• Ensure new products are delivered on time, within budget, and in line with quality and efficiency expectations.
• Create clear Plant Project Briefs outlining the details of each project.
• Act as primary consultant for Marketing & Sales, providing visibility on plant capabilities and portfolio.

Capability, Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Build expertise on plant capacity, capability, constraints, and serve as a key technical contact.
• Initiate and manage optimization/improvement projects related to processes, supply chain flow, project management, and systems.
• Monitor plant capacity, forecast constraints, and initiate capacity-increase projects when needed.
• Lead IM pillar activities and support implementation of MOS on site.
• Participate in internal audits.
• Ensure correctness and integrity of SAP technical data.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Ability to make timely decisions and initiate corrective actions.
• High results orientation and problem-solving mindset.
• Strong multitasking ability and resilience in a dynamic environment.
• Deep understanding of technological and production processes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑management skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of manufacturing experience (plant program or similar preferred).
• Proven project management and cross‑functional teamwork experience.
• Experience in automated/digitalized production environments is an advantage.
• SAP and master data knowledge is a plus.

• Competitive salary and comfortable working conditions (hybrid format)
• Compensations & benefits (including insurance programs and meal allowance)
• Rewards & recognition program, learning and development in multicultural environment
• Democratic corporate culture and open management team
• Opportunity to become expert in coffee&tea