Head of Projects

Danone; Macroom; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Danone Infant Nutrition Macroom Ltd seeks an experienced Head of Projects to lead engineering and a portfolio of capital projects at the Macroom site. You will drive safety, performance, and continuous improvement while delivering capital investments and site expansion initiatives.

You will manage complex cross-functional teams, maintain budgets, and partner with senior leadership to define the long-term engineering strategy and governance framework for project delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Process, or related Engineering discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in engineering leadership or project management.
• Proven success delivering CAPEX projects.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams in a complex operational environment.
• Knowledge of automation, process improvement, and production technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead site engineering and project teams with a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Plan and execute CAPEX projects from concept through commissioning.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, timelines, business cases, and risk assessments.
• Manage a portfolio of concurrent projects with governance and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental, Quality and regulatory standards.
• Oversee budget, contractor management, procurement, and ROI delivery.
• Report project performance and risks to the Site Leadership Team.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Budget and financial management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Team leadership

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical/Electrical/Manufacturing/Process)

Job description

About The Job

The Head of Projects will lead the engineering function and manage a portfolio of investment projects within a dynamic manufacturing environment. The role is accountable for delivering engineering excellence, improving plant performance, and successfully executing capital and continuous improvement projects that support the ongoing expansion and development of the Macroom site. Danone Infant Nutrition Macroom is a division of the Danone Group and the Macroom Supply Point is a strategic spray drying factory within the division as it is a major supplier of infant formula to other plants within the network.

About You

Main Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead, develop, and manage the site engineering and project teams, fostering a culture of safety innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership and support for manufacturing operations, site infrastructure, and future growth initiatives.
• Develop engineering capability, succession plans, and technical expertise within the team.
• Partner with senior leadership to define and deliver the site's long-term engineering strategy.

Capital Projects & Site Development

• Lead the planning and execution of all capital investment projects from concept through design, approval, implementation, commissioning, and project closure.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, timelines, business cases, risk assessments, and resource plans.
• Ensure all projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and achieve agreed business objectives.
• Support site expansion, capacity increases, process optimisation, and infrastructure development projects.
• Manage contractors, consultants, equipment suppliers, and engineering service providers.

Project Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of concurrent projects, balancing resources, priorities, risks, and stakeholder requirements.
• Establish project governance processes, reporting structures, and stage-gate reviews.
• Identify and mitigate project risks while ensuring clear escalation and communication of issues.
• Regularly report project performance, timelines, budgets, and risks to the Site Leadership Team.

Budget & Contractor Management

• Develop and manage the annual engineering and CAPEX budget.
• Monitor project expenditure and financial performance against approved budgets.
• Ensure robust contractor management and procurement practices are in place.
• Deliver agreed cost savings and return-on-investment targets through engineering projects.

Compliance, Safety & Quality

• Ensure all engineering projects comply with Health & Safety, Environmental, Quality, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct project risk assessments and ensure safe execution of all engineering activities.
• Support audits, inspections, and compliance programmes relevant to engineering projects.

Functional Competencies

Project and Programme Management

• Ability to successfully lead multiple concurrent projects, ensuring delivery against scope, budget, timeline, and business objectives.

Capital Project Delivery and Governance

• Proven capability in managing CAPEX projects from concept through commissioning, applying appropriate project governance, risk management, and reporting processes.

Engineering and Technical Leadership

• Strong engineering knowledge with the ability to provide technical direction, challenge solutions, and support strategic decision-making.

Budget and Financial Management

• Experience managing project budgets, capital expenditure, forecasting, and delivering financial targets while maximising return on investment.

Strategic Planning and Site Development

• Ability to develop and execute engineering strategies that support business growth, site expansion, capacity improvements, and long-term operational objectives.

Continuous Improvement and Process Optimisation

• Demonstrated success in identifying and implementing initiatives that improve productivity, efficiency, quality, sustainability, and cost performance.

Stakeholder Management and Communication

• Ability to build strong relationships across functions and communicate effectively with senior leadership, project teams, contractors, and external partners.

Contractor and Vendor Management

• Experience selecting, managing, and evaluating contractors and suppliers to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective project delivery.

Risk Management and Problem Solving

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify risks, resolve complex issues, and make informed decisions in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Team Leadership and Talent Development

• Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and coach engineering professionals while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Professional Experience

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Process, or related Engineering discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in engineering leadership or project management role
• Demonstrated success delivering CAPEX projects.
• Experience managing engineering teams and external contractors.
• Strong track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams in a complex operational environment.
• Knowledge of automation, process improvement, and production technologies.
• Experience within food, dairy, FMCG, or process manufacturing environments desirable.
• Proven Problem solving and troubleshooting skills.

About us

Danone is a large, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company with market leading brands across four divisions Essential Dairy and Plant Based Products, Waters, Specialised Nutrition and Medical Nutrition. Specialised Nutrition offers nutritional solutions with the shared goal of improving the health and well-being of vulnerable individuals, from the first day of pregnancy into old age. Danone Infant Nutrition Macroom Ltd are a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing organisation. We are looking for high calibre, dedicated and experienced personnel to complement our existing workforce.

At Danone we are passionate in our commitment to sustainability with the belief in building a healthier future through food. Our eating and drinking choices have an impact on our own health, the health of our society and the health of our planet.

Ensuring an inclusive working culture that is accessible to all is important to us. Danone Infant Nutrition Macroom Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Please note, owing to the high volume of applications we receive, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.