Project Manager - Engineering

Abbott Laboratories; Singapore; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the nutrition sector is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to lead capital projects across Asia. This role emphasizes managing large-scale projects, compliance with standards, and delivering on budgets. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of engineering experience, with strong leadership and technical skills in manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Over 10 years of extensive experience in engineering projects, particularly in large-capital projects.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and personnel in complex project environments.
• Technical expertise in liquid processing and nutritional product manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects achieving cost, scope, and schedule targets.
• Develop project execution strategies and ensure compliance with standards.
• Coordinate internal and external resources to satisfy client expectations.

Skills

Project Management

Engineering Expertise

Cost Control

Scheduling

Contractor Management

Human Relations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Master’s in Business Administration

Job description

Primary Function

• Lead capital projects in the Asia Region, achieving cost, scope, and schedule targets by leveraging regional strengths and resources to meet Abbott Nutrition Supply Chain goals.
• Utilize multi-disciplinary experience in engineering, process design, automation, operations, and construction management to accomplish project objectives.
• Manage multiple capital projects, typically ranging from USD 1.0 million to USD 50 million, across various sites with different timelines.
• Develop and manage capital and expense budgets, and lead project teams within a matrix organizational structure to deliver results.
• Coordinate internal and external resources to satisfy client and business expectations.

Responsibilities

• Define client requirements and prepare project scope focusing on performance, quality, reliability, and maintainability, aligning with functions such as MIS, Quality Assurance, Product Development, Marketing, and Operations.
• Develop project execution strategies, identify activities, prepare schedules, evaluate risks, and plan risk mitigation strategies.
• Lead efforts in project proposal development, design criteria, scope definition, cost estimates, and scheduling for RCE preparation.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external standards, including safety and EHS standards.
• Communicate project status regularly to senior management and stakeholders.
• Provide engineering, processing, and project management guidance for new manufacturing projects in Asia.
• Facilitate regional manufacturing process design, considering local and national standards.
• Support regional manufacturing operations and liaise with Global Engineering Groups for project support.
• Offer engineering guidance during plant start-up and commissioning.
• Assist manufacturing operations in resolving issues during projects and routine production.
• Support bidding, negotiation, and construction phases, interpreting design and contract documents.
• Contribute to developing Long Range Capital Plans and Site Master Plans aligned with corporate goals.
• Lead or guide Front End Planning activities, including scope development, design, cost estimation, and scheduling.
• Maintain communication with sites to ensure deployment of best practices and equipment.
• Plan work schedules based on plant demands and resources.
• Evaluate manufacturing scenarios for new products, determining manufacturability, costs, and schedules.
• Coordinate with regional R&D to align on upcoming product trends and manufacturing needs.
• Assess contract manufacturing capabilities and recommend process upgrades as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from a reputed institute; Master’s in Business Administration is desirable but not mandatory.
• Additional courses in psychology, accounting, and professional engineering registration are beneficial.
• Extensive experience in engineering projects, particularly in large-capital projects, with over 10 years of project engineering or related experience, and at least 8 years in structured project roles.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards for infant formula and nutritionals.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, cash flows, and personnel in a complex project environment, supported by Project Management certification.
• Experience in the Nutritional or FMCG industry, with a good understanding of manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of engineering functions, cost control, scheduling, and contractor management.
• Technical expertise in liquid processing, spray drying, and nutritional product manufacturing systems.
• Excellent human relations and presentation skills, capable of interfacing effectively with executive management and external partners.
• Minimum of 12 years of overall working experience in relevant fields.