Nestlé Purina PetCare - Project Leader - Process (Greenfield Project) - Mantova

Nestlé S.A.; Mantova; On-site; EUR 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Nestlé Purina Italy Mantova seeks a Project Leader – Process to drive capital investment projects from design through start‑up. You will coordinate cross‑functional teams, ensure compliance with Nestlé standards and local regulations, and lead controls, schedules and cost estimates for end‑to‑end project delivery.

You will oversee URS, commissioning readiness and ramp‑up, with a focus on hygienic design, automation integration and safe, sustainable production.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering capital investment projects in manufacturing.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in a project or manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of process design, automation and DMO integration.
• Experience with project controls, schedules and cost estimates.
• Proficiency in English; Italian is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute technical delivery of capital investment projects from design to start-up.
• Ensure compliance with Nestlé standards and local regulations.
• Coordinate suppliers/contractors, FAT/SAT, and risk analysis.
• Lead project reporting, budget tracking and ramp-up readiness.
• Support operations during start-up and qualification.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Automation integration

Capital investment projects

Process optimization

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: €62.500,00 + 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

Manage and execute the technical delivery of capital investment projects within the assigned scope, from design to implementation and start‑up, ensuring compliance with the project charter, design specifications, Nestlé standards and local regulations. The role covers project controls, schedules, cost estimates, installation, testing and commissioning of new equipment and production lines, while monitoring progress, resolving operational issues and mobilising the resources needed to deliver the project. Within the Process area, it ensures that process design, product quality requirements, hygienic engineering principles, process stability and automation / digital integration are embedded from design through commissioning and ramp‑up.

A Day in the Life of a Project Leader – Process

Before project design phase:

• Support the Project Engineering Manager and End‑to‑End Project Manager in developing the investment project charter and ensure it is strictly followed throughout the project.
• Prepare project controls, timing assumptions, cost estimates and technical design inputs for the Process area.
• Define the process scope, identify key process constraints and collect the resources necessary to execute the project within scope.

During project design phase:

• Execute the basic and detailed design of the Process scope based on Nestlé Corporate Business Principles, Nestlé standards, local regulations, URS and TPM characteristics (safety, quality, affordability, maintainability, operability and reliability).
• Develop process URS and ensure alignment with food safety, hygienic design, automation and DMO integration requirements.
• Ensure performance and quality criteria are correctly defined for process commissioning and qualification.

During project implementation phase:

• Ensure that process equipment, piping, utilities interfaces and automation connections are implemented in accordance with timing, cost, quality, URS and unit‑operation requirements.
• Coordinate suppliers/contractors, technical reviews, FAT, SAT, action plans and risk analysis for the Process area.
• Ensure all suppliers are trained on SHE, Quality and Environmental policy and that safety, hygienic compliance and process readiness are guaranteed during installation and commissioning.

During start‑up and the whole project life:

• Support the Operations / Start‑Up Leader to ensure a smooth transition to operations after commissioning and during process qualification.
• Lead follow‑up of process issues, documentation, budget/timing/risk tracking and elevate immediately to PEM / E2E when scope, cost, timing or process performance are at risk.
• Deliver process technical reporting, PDA / lessons learned and promote sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions.

What will make you successful?

• Experience delivering one or more projects successfully in process‑related technology areas.
• Experience proactively applying SHE requirements and risk‑prevention methods to foster a zero‑harm workplace and protect people and equipment.
• Experience with commissioning / qualification activities in the Process area.
• Experience with financial follow‑up, budget tracking and project reporting.
• Participation in advanced Project Management training is a plus.
• Experience with process technologies and equipment - such as grill, steam oven, meatprep, dry process for pouch/can production or comparable process solutions - is strongly preferred
• Experience with process‑line integration, including utilities interfaces, automation / DMO integration, commissioning and qualification readiness, is an advantage.
• Strong operational understanding of manufacturing execution and product orders propagation through DMO is a key asset for the role.

What we offer?

At Nestlé we believe that success is driven by people. That’s why we offer a well‑rounded benefits package designed to support well‑being, growth, and quality of life:

• 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.