About the role
The Senior Project Engineer will play a pivotal role in overseeing and executing capital projects (CapEx) within a dynamic multinational food industry environment within a department of multidisciplinary Engineering that supports all the Manufacturing Operations sites for Barry Callebaut’s Cocoa Business sites in Brazil. This role encompasses a full spectrum of project management responsibilities, beginning with the initial concept and feasibility studies, extending through engineering design, procurement, and into the implementation phase of the project lifecycle. The individual will translate business needs into actionable project plans and ensure successful project delivery while adhering to industry standards and company policies. The Senior Project Engineer is expected to foster a culture of excellence and innovation, driving teams towards achieving strategic objectives. This position will be based in Itabuna, Bahia, Brazil, but will also eventually support a second factory in Ilhéus, Bahia, meaning travel between plants when required must be considered. This position will be under the Engineering organization, which means information and data exchange with Corporate teams will be part of the core of the position. The main stakeholders for this position will be all departments present on the sites, mainly the Plant Managers, but also including Quality Assurance, HSE, HR, Maintenance, R&D, Supply Chain and the Production teams. The core mission of this position is to apply deep technical and managerial skills to ensure high engineering standards in all capital projects for the food industry, managing timing and costs, and creating a clear, robust, and well-designed communication plan to foster buy-in across teams. This position will lead internal and outsourced teams on capital projects of varying sizes, from layout improvements to complex greenfield lines. It is a high-visibility role with strong career potential at Barry Callebaut, a world-leading manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products.
Key responsibilities
* Lead and oversee the work of outsourced engineers/engineering companies and staff within the organizational unit, exercising technical and administrative oversight; independently perform the full range of professional engineering work assignments.
* Improve existing frameworks, and create and validate internal standards and work instructions for the department.
* Serve as project manager on construction projects; establish priorities, track project budgets and schedules, direct work of professional and technical staff, consultants, and contractors; administer contracts and approve payments to contractors.
* Create and promote an equitable workplace that demonstrates respect for living and working in a multicultural society.
* Prepare and process required documentation for projects; maintain records for project activities, findings, progress, and results; prepare design drawings and specifications, engineering studies, technical reports, memorandums, documentation, and correspondence.
* Establish and revise technical, quality assurance, and quality control standards for areas of specialization; perform design reviews for conformance with technical, performance, and operation standards and practices, obtaining formal approval from main stakeholders.
* Obtain and integrate stakeholder input on projects in planning, design, and construction; participate in steering groups and committees; represent Project Engineering in operational decisions.
* Collaborate with the management team to plan, organize, and direct resources to complete projects within defined budget and schedule; participate in development of competitive bidding documents, and bidding and awarding of contracts.
* Ensure project completion in accordance with work plans and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, codes, policies, and procedures.
* Together with the Procurement team, manage procurement strategies, including the selection and management of contractors, vendors, and suppliers. Negotiate contracts and ensure that services and materials necessary for project execution are procured efficiently and cost-effectively.
* Risk management: identify potential risks and issues, develop mitigation strategies, and create scenarios and contingency plans to effectively manage uncertainties.
* Lead budget estimation for project CapEx and 2-year Mid Term Plan, with validation from the Engineering Manager.
* Perform other related work as required.
About you
* A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is required. A master’s degree (MS or MBA) is considered an asset.
* Master’s Degree and/or Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.
* Progressive engineering experience within manufacturing and/or corporate environments with proven experience leading teams and projects of significant impact.
* Fluent in business and technical English.
* High-level knowledge of Microsoft Project is required.
* Proficient in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) and engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks). Familiarity with ERP systems is an advantage.
* Proven technical experience in multifunctional projects and leading teams with references that can be contacted.
* Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
* Exposure to international manufacturing environments and projects is a plus.
Location
Itabuna - Bahia
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