Head of Projects

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

Job summary

Danone Infant Nutrition Macroom Ltd in Macroom, Ireland, seeks a Head of Projects to lead engineering and a portfolio of capital and CI projects. You will drive engineering excellence, improve plant performance and oversee contractors, budgets, and governance across multiple concurrent initiatives.

The role requires a strong engineering leadership background, cross-functional collaboration, and a track record of delivering projects safely and within budget in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Engineering leadership experience at senior level.
• 5+ years in engineering leadership or project management.
• Experience managing engineering teams and external contractors.
• Experience leading cross-functional project teams in a complex operational environment.
• Knowledge of automation, process improvement, and production technologies.
• Experience in food, dairy, FMCG, or process manufacturing environments desirable.
• Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site engineering and project teams, fostering safety, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership for manufacturing operations, site infrastructure and growth initiatives.
• Develop engineering capability and succession plans.
• Define and deliver the site's long-term engineering strategy.
• Lead planning and execution of capital investment projects from concept through commissioning.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, timelines, business cases, risk assessments and resource plans.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and meet objectives.
• Manage contractors, consultants, and engineering service providers.
• Report project performance, timelines, budgets, and risks to Site Leadership Team.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Cross-functional teams

Problem solving

Automation knowledge

Education

Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Process, or related Engineering

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

• 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.