Director, Project Engineering

American Sugar Refining, Inc.; Arabi (LA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

American Sugar Refining, Inc. is seeking an experienced leader to manage a portfolio of capital projects at the Chalmette, Louisiana refinery. You will oversee internal and external engineering resources and EPC partners, ensuring adherence to capital processes and delivering exceptional performance metrics.

The role requires 15+ years in manufacturing, a PM background with substantial project budgets (> $50M), and strong leadership with Lean principles. Travel up to 25% is anticipated.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of manufacturing or process industry experience.
• Proven track record leading a portfolio of capital projects over $50M.
• Experience in refining, milling, or food manufacturing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of internal and external engineers and EPC partners.
• Own project budgets, scopes, and schedules; drive value engineering.
• Develop cashflow forecasts, risk analyses, and commissioning plans.
• Coordinate with safety, quality, finance, and operations to meet performance metrics.
• Travel up to 25% as required.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Vendor management

Cost & scheduling

Lean

EPC

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

PMP certification

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’ll 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.

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

Education Requirements

• 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.