Project Engineer

About the Role

The Project Engineer develops and delivers a wide range of plant and corporate-based capital projects within budget and timeline. This role oversees the entire project lifecycle—from concept and design through execution, commissioning, and start-up—and serves as the primary technical resource for new investment projects in the North American region. The Project Engineer provides technical support to the Plant Team (Augusta Leadership Team) and communicates improvement opportunities, issues, innovation, and new technology to Ferrero’s Central Engineering. The position requires familiarity with an industrial manufacturing setting, project management basics, and proficiency in Excel, AutoCAD, and MS Project. Core working hours are 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Responsibilities

• Design
  • Contribute to the design and innovation know-how of the plants.
  • Evaluate technical requests from the plants and propose solutions.
  • Verify the correct application of engineering principles and technical specifications for new and existing equipment.
• Project Management
  • Actively participate in the project team for the design and execution of new investment projects.
  • Serve as project manager for the team, with a flexible work schedule based on assignment or timing of tasks (days, nights, weekends, and holidays).
  • Manage asset lifecycle, including destruction and idling of old assets and capitalization of new assets.
  • Oversee project budget and timeline.
• Engineering Status Reports
  • Prepare status reviews for Bakery Management.
  • Develop project cash flow forecasts.
  • Provide detailed project spending status and spending forecast reports for engineering projects.
  • Create project scope of work, bid documents, conduct bid walks, and align vendor selection and procurement.
• Collaboration and Sharing
  • Provide feedback to Ferrero Engineering Central on operational aspects of new machinery and equipment.
  • Escalate complex issues to Ferrero Engineering Central.
  • Promote sharing of technical knowledge and experiences among plants.
• Plant Technical Certifications
  • Participate in activities to obtain plant technical certifications (e.g., UNI, ISO).
  • Support food safety certifications (AIB, NSF) and EHS certifications and processes.
• Scouting/Evaluation of New Suppliers
  • Support the Technical Sourcing department in scouting and evaluating new suppliers for technical aspects.
  • Participate in technical activities related to the preparation of tenders and evaluation of offers.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (mechanical, electrical, or automation); a Master’s in Engineering is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of product technology, production methods, manufacturing, and the food sector.
• Knowledge of machine and tool design.
• Familiarity with project management principles.
• Proficiency in Excel, AutoCAD (3D), MS Project, PowerPoint, SAP, and BIM (Building Information Modelling).