Director, Project Engineering

American Sugar Refining, Inc.; Arabi (LA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

American Sugar Refining, Inc. is seeking a senior Engineering leader to drive capital project delivery at the Chalmette, LA refinery.

You will oversee internal and external engineering resources, EPC partners, and ensure capital processes are followed while guiding budgets, schedules, and risk analyses. The role requires 15+ years in manufacturing and a track record delivering large-scale projects, with ABET‑accredited engineering degrees and PMP as a plus.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience as an engineering leader on a portfolio of capital projects >$50M.
• ABET‑accredited engineering degree required; PMP certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external project engineers and EPC partners.
• Manage budgets, scopes, schedules, LEAN metrics, and risk analyses.
• Develop and validate project scopes, cashflow forecasts and commissioning plans.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Finance, Quality, HSE and Operations to drive performance.

Skills

People leadership

Project management

Budgeting & cost control

Vendor management

LEAN / process improvement

Communication skills

Strategic leadership

Resource allocation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

ABET‑accredited engineering degree (B.S./M.S.)

PMP certification (plus)

Tools

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Job description

The ASR Group® family of companies make up the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group® companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group® companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group® portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle's®, Sidul® and Whitworths®. ASR Group® companies also produce and market Tellus®, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane.

Overview

This role manages a diverse team of capital project engineers who deliver against the Corporate Engineering strategic investment plan. You will oversee the development and delivery of mid to large-scale, highly complex sustaining and modernization projects at our key Chalmette, Louisiana refinery. Primary responsibilities include directly managing both internal and external engineering resources, key EPC partners, ensuring adherence to capital processes, developing staff personnel, project priority setting and resourcing, and personnel performance management. Delivering Executional Excellence through developing & validating project scopes, budgets, cashflow forecasts, risk analyses, commissioning plans, and schedule. Aggregate project budgets will total hundreds of millions of dollars over the foreseeable future as we retool on of our key facilities.

This is an opportunity to showcase your leadership and business collaboration skills and grow your career through support and mentorship from team members who are authentic, good-natured, and highly skilled.

Detailed Roles & Responsibilities

• The top candidate is an experienced people leader with both internal & external Project Engineers.
• Extensive project management both directly and indirectly
• Assists in the development of project budget, scope, schedule, LEAN metrics, labour maps, site master planning and value engineering options. Presents capital request for Executive approval
• Project scale and complexity require highly refined cost & schedule management skill. You know best practices for formulating a PO strategy grounded in stringent performance milestones to minimize cost risk. Vendor management expertise to maintain schedule.
• Conducts EPC formal review process of cost metrics, presenting to executive steering team.
• This role serves as the project interface with all stakeholders and operational customers. Skilled collaborator with construction partners, equipment vendors, Procurement, Finance, Quality, Heathy & Safety and Operations management team to deliver exceptional performance metrics.
• Manages project coordination, prioritization and adherence to construction means and methods. Assures proper execution of engineering and Food Safety design standards.
• Leverages skill and influence to deliver best value solutions and fit for purpose application.
• Coordinates with Technical Subject Matter Experts, Health & Safety, Quality, and Operations during design, construction, commission, & start-up
• Advises Engineering leadership on resource allocation across initiatives to best support Early Management & Vertical Startup practices
• Works with the Executive team to develop the initiative capital budget and cashflow plan
• Ability to travel up to 25% typical

Work Experiences

• 15+ years’ experience within manufacturing environment
• Prior demonstrated experience as Engineering leader on a portfolio of capital projects with aggregate scale beyond +$50MM REQUIRED
• Previous experience in commodity refining/milling, pulp processing, industrial chemical processing, and/or food manufacturing required
• Previous experience managing manufacturing production or maintenance teams a plus

Preferred Education

• Bachelor of Science or Master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial or Process Degree required from an ABET accredited university)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification a plus

Essential Capabilities (knowledge, Skills, Abilities And Personal Attributes)

• Strong problem-solving skills and deep engineering technical aptitude
• Expert level project management skills: PMP or equivalent experience required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to build relationships and interact with individuals at all levels of an organization
• Demonstrated ability to provide both tactical and strategic leadership
• Strong people management skills with the ability to train, develop and upskill

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.