Sr Regional Project Engineer, Manager

Extrema, BR, 37640-000

• Lead and oversee the work of Project Managers and Project Engineers within the LATAM organizational unit, exercising high-level technical and administrative oversight to ensure portfolio alignment.
• Act as a senior mentor and coach to Factory Technical Managers regarding site-specific project execution, ensuring the maintenance of local technical memory and compliance with global engineering standards.
• Improve existing frameworks and create new validated standards, internal work instructions, and methodologies for the regional engineering department to drive operational excellence.
• Serve as the senior orchestrator for the LATAM CAPEX portfolio; establish regional priorities, track multi-site budgets and schedules, and direct the work of internal staff and external consultants.
• Create and promote an equitable, high-engagement workplace that respects and leverages the multicultural society and diverse work environments across Brazil and Chile.
• Oversee the preparation and maintenance of critical project documentation, ensuring that engineering studies, technical reports, and design specifications meet the rigorous requirements of the Barry Callebaut staged-gate process.
• Establish and revise technical, quality assurance, and quality control standards for the cluster; perform high-level design reviews to ensure conformance with operational standards, securing formal approval from key stakeholders.
• Obtain and integrate input from LATAM Plant Managers on projects during planning and design phases; participate in regional steering committees and represent Project Engineering in critical operational decisions.
• Collaborate with the Cluster Project Execution Director and regional management to plan and direct resources, ensuring projects exceeding 500K CHF are completed within defined budgets and schedules.
• Partner with the Procurement team to manage strategic sourcing, including the selection and management of major EPC contractors and vendors, ensuring cost-effective and efficient procurement for the region.
• Lead Risk Management for the regional portfolio, identifying potential technical or financial impediments and developing proactive mitigation strategies and contingency plans to manage uncertainties.
• Lead the budget estimation and strategic validation for the project CapEx 2-year Mid-Term Plan for the LATAM cluster, reporting directly to the Cluster Project Execution Director.
• Performs other related strategic and technical work as required to support the regional Master Plan and asset development.

• All the scope of work will be primarily based in Extrema, MG, with a regional focus on the LATAM cluster.
• This role contributes to and supervises the entire CapEx portfolio for 2 to 4 manufacturing sites located across Brazil and Chile, playing a critical role in regional business growth.
• All Project Managers, Project Engineers, and regional execution teams (internal or outsourced) within the LATAM scope will report directly to this position.
• This position has a crucial accountability for creating and ensuring a robust communication plan across borders, using adequate tools to guarantee that all stakeholders—from Plant Managers to the execution team—have their technical and project needs met.

• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Control & Automation) is required. A master's degree (MS or MBA) is considered a significant asset for this leadership position.
• 10+ years of progressive engineering experience within the FMCG or food process industry, with a solid and proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams and managing project portfolios of high complexity.
• Full proficiency in business and technical English is mandatory; advanced or fluent Spanish is essential for the management of operations in Chile.
• Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Project and advanced proficiency in project management methodologies (FEL, PMBOK) is required.
• Proficient in engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD) and familiarity with ERP systems (SAP) for budget tracking and financial reporting.
• Proven technical experience in managing large-scale capital investments (>500K CHF) and leading cross-functional teams (Quality, HSE, Sourcing, and Finance).
• Exceptional communication, orchestration, and negotiation skills, with the ability to present strategic Master Plans to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
• Substantial exposure to international manufacturing environments and experience navigating matrix organizations is required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification and/or specialized training in Process Automation or Utilities are highly desirable.

• Travel requirements: 30% - 50% travel between manufacturing sites in Brazil and Chile, depending on the project portfolio and commissioning phases.
• Location: Based in Extrema, MG. Ability to work in a hybrid environment with frequent presence at the industrial site.
• Physical/Environmental: Ability to conduct outdoor work and navigate industrial environments (climbing stairs/ladders, exposure to warm or dusty areas during site assessments).
• Others: Valid driver’s license (Category B) and flexibility to coordinate with stakeholders across different time zones.