Nestlé Purina PetCare - Project Engineer - Automation Systems (Greenfield Project) - Mantova

Nestlé S.A.; Mantova; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health insurance

Flexible benefits platform

Internal mobility and career growth

Learning and development programs

Job summary

Nestlé Purina Italy is seeking a Project Engineer – Automation Systems for a greenfield Mantova site. You will design, implement, and start-up capital investment projects within the AGV scope, ensuring Nestlé standards and local regulations are met, and lead cross-functional teams to deliver on time.

You will coordinate suppliers and contractors, manage AFV installations and interfaces, and drive safety and readiness through design, testing, and commissioning stages.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience as leader/senior engineer in capital investment project development and implementation.
• Experience leading and developing cross-functional teams in a project/manufacturing environment.
• Factory operations exposure with emphasis on end-of-line integration and intralogistics.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and start-up capital investment projects within the AGV scope, ensuring compliance with Nestlé standards and local regulations.
• Coordinate suppliers, contractors and technical reviews for installation, controls/ software interfaces, and commissioning.
• Ensure safety, TPM characteristics and operational readiness from design through ramp‑up.
• Support operations during qualification, verification and handover to enable smooth transition to operations.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional teams

Capital investment

Automation systems

Tools

AGV systems

Job description

At Nestlé Purina we are committed to creating richer lives for pets and the people who love them, providing high quality nutrition for cats and dogs and doing more of what matters for pets, people and planet. We are looking for passionate technical talents who will support the installation, start-up and operation of modern and highly automated production systems during the launch of a new manufacturing site. You will contribute to a project within a global organization committed to quality, safety and continuous improvement.

Position Snapshot

• Nestlé Purina Italy, Greenfield Project Mantova
• Permanent and full-time role
• Nestlé welcomes people with disabilities
• Manufacturing projects management ("making it happen"): about 3 years of experience as leader / senior engineer in capital investment project development and implementation in the food industry.
• Previous experience in leading and developing cross-functional teams, including direct and/or indirect reports, in a project or manufacturing environment.
• Factory operations exposure with emphasis on end-of-line integration, material handling and intralogistics.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory; knowledge of Italian is an advantage.

Compensation Package

• CCNL Industria Alimentare, Impiegato 1° Livello, Annual Base Salary: €57.500,00 + 7% Annual bonus.

Relocation Support

• Joining us from over 80 km away from Mantova? Our Welcome Relocation Package will make your move smoother, so you can focus on your new adventure from day one.

Position Summary

Responsible for the design, implementation and start-up activities of capital investment projects within the assigned AGV scope or technical specialisation, ensuring that the scope, design specifications, Nestlé standards and local regulations are implemented and adhered to. The role covers preparation of technical designs, User Requirement Specifications, project schedules, cost estimates, installation, testing and commissioning activities for AGV solutions, material-flow interfaces and related control / automation requirements, while monitoring progress, resolving operational issues, minimising delays and escalating risks when needed. Within the AGV area, the role supports the integration of intralogistics requirements, end-of-line interfaces, AGV material flows, control / software interfaces, traffic logic and operational safety concepts from design through commissioning and ramp-up.

A Day in the Life of a Project Engineer – Automation Systems

Before project design phase:

• Support the Project Leader - AGV and the Manufacturing PEM in developing the investment project charter and ensuring it is strictly followed throughout the project.
• Prepare technical design inputs, project controls, timing assumptions and cost estimates for the assigned AGV scope.
• Define system boundaries, intralogistics constraints and detailed User Requirement Specifications for AGV solutions, ensuring Nestlé mechanical, safety, interface and performance requirements are clearly communicated for tendering and project execution.

During project design phase:

• Execute and / or contribute to the basic and detailed design of the assigned AGV scope based on Nestlé Corporate Business Principles, Nestlé standards, local regulations, approved User Requirement Specifications and TPM characteristics of a unit operation: safety, quality, affordability, maintainability, operability and reliability.
• Ensure by design the safety of workers and operators during construction, commissioning and ongoing plant operation.
• Define and validate technical interfaces, material-flow logic, control requirements, traffic and safety concepts for AGV systems and related intralogistics interfaces.
• Ensure that success criteria are correctly defined for design reviews, integration tests, FAT, SAT, commissioning and operational readiness.

During project implementation phase:

• Ensure that the engineering side of the assigned AGV scope is implemented in accordance with the defined timing, cost, quality, approved URS and characteristics of a unit operation.
• Coordinate suppliers, contractors and technical reviews for AGV equipment installation, controls / software interfaces, integration testing and commissioning activities related to AGV systems and material-flow interfaces.
• Ensure all suppliers are trained on SHE, Quality and Environmental requirements before starting work and that Nestlé standards are applied throughout installation and commissioning.
• Maintain and regularly update action plans, schedules, risk analysis, technical review records and budget follow-up for the assigned scope, escalating immediately when scope, timing, cost, technical compliance or system reliability are at risk.

During start-up and the whole project life:

• Support the Operations / Start-Up team during qualification, verification, commissioning and handover to ensure a smooth transition to operations and achievement of project success criteria.
• Ensure all required machinery, controls, software-interface and engineering documentation is delivered on time and with the required quality for handover, STD creation and operational readiness.
• Support follow-up of interface, traffic, system-reliability and material-flow issues within the assigned AGV scope, escalating risks when timing, cost, technical compliance or operational readiness are at risk.
• Contribute to the engineering project final report, support PDA / lessons learned activities and provide feedback to design and maintenance prevention systems.
• Throughout the project life, promote environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions and maintain disciplined technical reporting, issue follow-up and stakeholder communication within the assigned AGV scope.

What will make you successful?

• Experience proactively applying SHE requirements and risk-prevention methods to foster a zero-harm workplace and protect people and equipment.
• Experience with FAT / SAT / commissioning / qualification and handover activities is an advantage.
• Experience with financial follow-up, project controls, reporting and action management is an advantage.
• Successful participation in one or more projects in AGV, intralogistics, material-flow systems or related technology areas is a value-add.

What we offer?

• Continuous learning – access to training, certifications, and development programs
• Health & well-being – private health insurance and wellness initiatives
• Corporate welfare – flexible benefits platform
• Career growth – internal mobility and development opportunities
• Inclusive culture – collaborative and people-first environment.

What does it mean working at Purina?

At Purina, we’ve worked hard to create a high-performing and caring environment where everyone belongs, and where everyone can push themselves. When you join our mission to create richer lives for pets, the people who love them and the planet we share, you’ll find lots of opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and expertise, both at Purina and across the wider Nestlé community. You’ll become part of a passionate and successful international team who, as industry pioneers and leaders in their field, are continually striving for better, who feel safe and supported to challenge, to experiment, to drive change and to be their true selves at work. We’re committed to ensuring the whole team can experience the power of Purina, pushing their limits and realising their full potential. That’s the Power of Purina. Are you ready to discover what’s possible? Purina is part of Nestlé Group.