Sr. Manager, Project Engineering

Barry Callebaut Group; Brantford; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Barry Callebaut Group seeks an experienced Major Project Engineering Manager to lead and support large-scale capital projects across Canada. You will oversee engineering execution, budgets, schedules, safety, and permits, coordinating internal and external teams to deliver on time, within scope, and with high quality.

You will drive TPM Early Management and stage-gate processes, ensure CQV readiness, and report progress to senior leadership while aligning with food safety and environmental

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or related).
• 12+ years of engineering experience in food processing, manufacturing, or CPG.
• Leadership of engineering organizations and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and cost management skills.
• Experience with start-up, commissioning, and CQV/IQ/OQ/PQ processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead major capital projects across Canada with TPM Early Management, CQV, IQ/OQ/PQ.
• Oversee engineering execution, safety, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate internal and external engineering teams and stakeholders.
• Track progress, risks, milestones, and governance reviews.
• Support start-up, commissioning, and project handover to operations.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Budgeting

Scheduling

Change management

Problem solving

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Project

Minitab

MS Office

Job description

About The Role

As part of North America's footprint strategy and supply network optimization initiatives, BC is undertaking significant expansion and modernization projects across its chocolate manufacturing facilities in Canada and the United States. In collaboration with cross-functional engineering and technical teams, the Major Project Engineering Manager will lead and support the successful execution of these large-scale capital projects. The role is responsible for overseeing engineering execution across Canada and the U.S., with accountability for project cost, schedule, safety, permitting, technical readiness, and overall project delivery. The successful candidate will provide leadership to both internal and external engineering teams, develop engineering scopes, budgets, and schedules, ensure compliance with stage‑gate project management processes, coordinate permitting activities with external authorities, oversee construction and installation activities, support start‑up and commissioning efforts, and communicate project performance to key stakeholders, including senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will possess extensive experience leading major capital projects within world‑class manufacturing organizations, with proven expertise in project start‑up and TPM Early Management methodologies, including CQV and IQ/OQ/PQ processes.

Key Deliverables

• Achieve zero TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate) while maintaining compliance with process and people safety standards.
• Deliver zero quality defects and ensure compliance with BC and local food safety requirements.
• Meet ramp‑up objectives and achieve OEE > 85%.
• Deliver projects on schedule with no significant delays.
• Maintain adherence to approved capital budgets with no material cost overruns.
• Achieve employee engagement survey results of 90% or greater.
• Meet established energy efficiency and CO₂ reduction targets.
• Ensure full compliance with BC and local environmental regulations and standards.

Scope of Responsibility

• Lead and deliver network transformation projects across Canada from an engineering and project execution perspective.
• Manage and provide direction to internal and external engineering teams throughout all project phases.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment, effective communication, and successful project outcomes.
• Monitor, track, and report engineering execution progress, risks, and key milestones.
• Organize and facilitate technical steering committee meetings, project governance reviews, and executive stakeholder updates.
• Serve as an active member of the Global Engineering Community and contribute to the broader global engineering leadership team by helping define and deploy strategic engineering initiatives.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Food Safety & Quality, SHE (Safety, Health & Environment), Sourcing, Manufacturing, and other key business functions.

About You

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline).

Experience & Knowledge

• Minimum of 12 years of engineering experience within the food processing, manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.
• Extensive experience in major capital project development, execution, commissioning, and start‑up.
• Proven experience leading engineering organizations and multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Demonstrated success in team leadership, coaching, and talent development.
• Strong technical expertise across manufacturing and processing systems.
• Solid financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost management.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, and engineering/project management software.
• Deep understanding of TPM, Initiative Management (IM), and Stage‑Gate Project Management methodologies.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, drive innovative thinking, establish accountability, and influence organizational outcomes.

Essential Experience & Functional Competencies

• Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the safety of people, processes, and products.
• Extensive experience leading major greenfield and brownfield projects from concept development through commissioning and start‑up.
• Strong expertise in cost control, schedule management, risk mitigation, and change management.
• Proven experience engaging with external stakeholders, including permitting agencies, utility providers, and municipal, provincial/state, and federal authorities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Integrated Work Systems (IWS), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), World Class Manufacturing (WCM), Initiative Management (IM), and Stage‑Gate Project Management.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive transformational change across complex, global organizations.
• Experience working effectively across cultures, regions, and time zones.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, Microsoft Project, Minitab (or equivalent statistical software), and related engineering tools.
• Working knowledge of SAP ERP systems is considered a strong asset.
• Exceptional coaching, communication, interpersonal, and leadership capabilities.
• Strong understanding of project governance frameworks and project management systems.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership capability with experience leading diverse, cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Proven ability to direct and manage external engineering partners, contractors, and construction/installation teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and present effectively at all organizational levels, including executive and senior leadership.
• Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities in complex and fast‑paced project environments.
• Results‑oriented leader with a demonstrated ability to drive accountability and deliver business objectives through others.

Barry Callebaut can offer you a challenging and dynamic international environment that includes a broad range of opportunities for personal growth and development. Barry Callebaut is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees. At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.