Sr. Director, Project Engineering

American Sugar Refining; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

American Sugar Refining is seeking an experienced Engineering leader to oversee multiple plant capital projects, managing internal and external engineers and driving budget, scope, and schedules. You will validate project scopes, budgets, cashflow forecasts, risk analyses, commissioning plans, and schedules, while mentoring teams and aligning with Safety and Quality standards.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategic collaboration with Operations, Procurement, and Finance, and strong

Qualifications

• 20+ years' experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience as engineering leader on capital projects scale >$50MM.
• Brownfield renovations and continuous improvement for large-scale operations preferred.
• Experience in refining/milling, pulp processing or food manufacturing is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external engineering staff; set direction and manage formal project reviews over the construction life cycle.
• Develop project budget, scope, schedule, LEAN metrics, labor maps and value engineering options; present capital requests to Executives.
• Formulate PO strategy to minimize cost risk and manage vendor schedule.
• Lead formal cost metrics reviews to an executive steering team.
• Interface with Operations stakeholders; collaborate with vendors, Procurement, Finance, Quality, Health & Safety, and Operations teams.
• Coordinate construction means and methods; ensure engineering and Food Safety design standards.
• Deliver best-value solutions and fit-for-purpose applications.
• Coordinate with SMEs, Health & Safety, Quality, and Operations during construction, commissioning, start-up.
• Advise VP Engineering on resource allocation across initiatives for Early Management & Vertical Startup.
• Develop annual capital budget and cashflow plan with Executive team.
• Travel up to 50% peak, 25% typical.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Budgeting & cost control

Lean manufacturing

Vendor management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor/Master of Engineering (ABET)

PMP certification desired

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 multiple teams of plant located capital project engineers. You'll oversee the development and delivery of large-scale, highly complex sustaining and modernization project. Primary responsibilities include directly managing internal & external engineers, staff development, priority setting and performance management. Delivering Executional Excellence through reviewing & validating project scopes, budgets, cashflow forecasts, risk analyses, commissioning plans, and schedule.

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 and Responsibilities

• The top candidate is an experienced leader of internal & external engineering functional staff. Sets direction and manages formal project reviews over the construction life cycle
• Develops project budget, scope, schedule, LEAN metrics, labor maps, 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.
• Leads formal review process of cost metrics, presenting to executive steering team.
• This role serves as the project interface with Operations stakeholders. 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 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 construction, commission, & start-up
• Advises VP Engineering on resource allocation across initiatives to best support Early Management & Vertical Startup practices

• Works with the Executive team to develop the annual capital budget and cashflow plan
• Ability to travel up to 50% peak, 25% typical

Education and/or Experience

WORK EXPERIENCES

• 20+ years' experience within manufacturing environment, preferred
• Prior demonstrated experience as Engineering leader on capital projects scaled beyond +$50MM REQUIRED
• Preferred candidates will have prior experience leading brownfield renovation and implementing continuous improvement changes to large-scale process & packaging operations
• Previous experience in commodity refining/milling, pulp processing and/or food manufacturing requiredli>
• Previous experience managing manufacturing production or maintenance teams a plus
• Strong problem-solving skills and deep chemical processing 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
• Experience implementing LEAN pillar tools
• Demonstrated ability to provide both tactical and strategic leadership
• Strong people management skills with the ability to train and develop others
• Must be willing and able to travel to other manufacturing sites within North America, vendor facilities, construction sites, etc.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor of Science or Master's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial or Process Degree required from an ABET accredited university) or related field or equiavalent work expereince
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification desired

Essential Capabilities / Competencies

• Analytical Thinking & Decision Making - Identifies and understands trends and/or issues; connects data points through analysis to arrive at a logical conclusion.
• Business & Financial Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the financial, accounting, marketing and operational functions of our organization; interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better corporate decisions.
• Effective Communication - Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner by tailoring one's message to fit the interests and needs of the audience.
• Customer Orientation - Keeps internal and/or external customer(s) in mind at all times. Strives to proactively address customer concerns and needs. Assists business partners and customers to achieve their work goals via application of their own skills and knowledge; strives to provide consistent customer satisfaction.
• Establishes Trust - Gaining the confidence and faith of others by actions and words that promote being honest, forthcoming, integrious and vulnerable.
• Problem-Solving - Anticipates, evaluates, diagnoses, and resolves problems in a systematic and fact-based manner.
• Results Orientation & Accountability - Takes accountability, identifies, executes and drives actions to consistently achieve desired results.
• Teamwork & Collaboration - Creates a climate that fosters commitment to a common vision and shared values that promote cooperation and working together through trust and support of others.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Maintaining effectiveness in varying environments and with different tasks, responsibilities and people.
• Continuous Improvement - Establishes methods and utilizes specialized techniques to monitor and improve performance of systems and processes.
• Self-Development - Seeks feedback on one's strengths and weaknesses and initiates activities to increase or enhance their knowledge, skills, and proficiency in order to perform more effectively or enhance their career.

Location of Role

• Remote (East coast preferred), located near a major airport for travel up to 50%

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