Front End Specialist Launch Team

About the role

Join Ball Corporation, a global manufacturer of sustainable aluminium packaging, where the focus is on building a career, supporting communities, and contributing to a more sustainable world. The company is a recognized global workplace with more than 16,000 team members and produces endlessly recyclable aluminium cans, cups, and aerosol bottles.

Role purpose

This position is part of a process-expert team responsible mainly for new builds, new line start-ups, and line conversion ramp-ups in the cupper, bodymaker, and trimmer areas. The role owner will also be accountable for a specific process area based on prior experience and team assignment. Success will be measured primarily through efficiency and spoilage performance, while maintaining safety as the first priority and also supporting other operational measures such as material usage, production supplies, and environmental compliance where relevant.

Key duties

• Promote a strong safety-first mindset by modelling safe working habits, checking that equipment complies with all requirements, and guiding new colleagues to follow safety standards.
• Provide direct technical support during installation, set-up, commissioning, and early production so equipment is launched correctly and performs to specification.
• Act as the on-site subject matter expert for assigned process areas and use technical expertise to help the line reach stable, dependable, high-performance operation.
• Deliver structured capability building for plant teams through approximately 80% on-the-job coaching and 20% classroom-style training in operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and quality.
• Resolve issues in real time during start-up by diagnosing mechanical, chemical, and process problems and restoring production quickly while improving team awareness.
• Take part in root cause analysis and use structured problem-solving methods to remove repeat issues and improve long-term reliability.
• Review and confirm SOPs, work instructions, and training content so they match the new equipment, the start-up conditions, and the best operating practices.
• Support food safety, sanitation, and housekeeping standards so all start-up activity and equipment remain aligned with internal and regulatory expectations.
• Check that necessary parts, tooling, and materials are available for start-up and flag future operational requirements early.
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, and Quality to move the line from start-up into steady-state running once performance goals are reached.
• Record and share lessons learned to strengthen future launches and continuous improvement across the wider network.
• Deliver efficiency and spoilage performance for all new builds, new lines, and line conversions in line with approved start-up curves.
• Work as part of the overall Start-Up Team while leading the assigned process area and sharing responsibility for launch success.
• Train new and existing site personnel during recruitment and start-up so the team can build lasting process knowledge and operate independently.
• Provide emergency breakdown assistance to reduce downtime and restore operations during the critical launch phase.
• Support size changeovers so local teams can carry out safe, efficient, and repeatable conversions.
• Identify and implement best practices that improve future start-ups and long-term plant performance.
• Help implement BOE standards to level 3 within the assigned scope across safety, quality, business management, and maintenance pillar elements.

Requirements

• A mechanical or electrical qualification is required.
• A training or teaching qualification at least to Train The Trainer level is required.
• Strong working knowledge of the can-making process, with recognised subject expertise in at least one area.
• Ability to pass process knowledge on to others in a clear and practical way.
• Proven capability in equipment set-up, fault finding, optimisation, and supporting line performance.
• Competent computer skills for data analysis and report preparation.
• Communicative English skills at minimum level required for the role.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working in can manufacturing.
• Practical experience with basic problem-solving methods and foundational Lean tools.
• Ownership mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and waste reduction.
• Ability to coach and develop less experienced colleagues.
• High attention to detail and consistent compliance with specifications.
• Good communication across departments and levels.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Experience in line launches or rebuild projects is preferred.
• Experience with equipment rebuilds or similar line project work is an added advantage.

Equal opportunity and application note

Ball Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all people regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, faith, ability, or orientation. The company emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and a culture of belonging. The advertised job title may differ from the contract title because of local job title structures and global HR systems. No agencies please.