Project Engineer

About the role

The Project Engineer is responsible for coordinating and managing process and packaging engineering design, implementation, commissioning, and maintenance support activities across manufacturing operations. This role supports the Barry Callebaut Operating System (BCOS) by driving continuous improvement, standardization, operational excellence, food safety, quality, and cost optimization initiatives. The Project Engineer partners with cross-functional teams to develop and implement engineering solutions that enhance manufacturing performance, improve productivity, reduce waste, and support long-term business growth.

The position is accountable for evaluating process requirements, developing engineering solutions, leading capital projects, and ensuring all deliverables meet or exceed process, packaging, quality, safety, environmental, and operational standards. The successful candidate will actively contribute to BCOS initiatives by identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements, implementing best practices, and leveraging data-driven decision-making to improve manufacturing systems and processes.

Key responsibilities

Engineering & Continuous Improvement (BCOS)

• Champion BCOS principles by driving continuous improvement, standard work, loss elimination, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, sustainability, and cost performance.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and engineering solutions to optimize manufacturing effectiveness and support future growth.
• Support process and packaging line optimization through root cause analysis, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to achieve business objectives and project deliverables.
• Ensure all engineering activities support food safety, quality systems, GMPs, HACCP requirements, and employee safety standards.

Engineering Design & Technical Expertise

• Design, install, commission, troubleshoot, and improve manufacturing processes and packaging systems.
• Develop equipment specifications, process designs, plant layouts, and engineering standards.
• Utilize engineering principles including mass transfer, heat transfer, and process flow analysis to optimize manufacturing operations.
• Support factory trials, commercialization initiatives, new product introductions, and R&D activities.
• Create and review process flow diagrams, P&IDs, engineering drawings, and line layouts using AutoCAD and related software.
• Analyze equipment performance and recommend modifications or upgrades to improve efficiency, throughput, reliability, and product quality.
• Ensure engineering designs comply with regulatory, environmental, and corporate standards.
• Develop technical documentation, operating procedures, training materials, and commissioning plans.
• Create engineering calculations, presentations, reports, and paid-work workflows as required.

Project Management

• Lead capital and operational improvement projects from concept through implementation and project closeout.
• Identify stakeholders, gather requirements, and define project scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and budgets.
• Secure project funding and develop business cases supporting capital investment decisions.
• Manage procurement activities including development of Requests for Proposal (RFPs), vendor selection, contractor management, and contract administration.
• Lead project core team meetings and facilitate effective communication among stakeholders.
• Monitor and control project scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, and risk.
• Provide regular project status updates and executive-level communications.
• Ensure successful project commissioning, startup, performance validation, and benefits realization.
• Accountable for project compliance with safety, environmental, food safety, and quality requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with plant engineers, corporate engineering teams, operations leaders, maintenance teams, and external service providers.
• Coordinate activities with quality teams responsible for raw materials, work-in-process, and finished product standards.
• Support production schedule requirements while balancing project execution priorities.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Manage contractors, consultants, and third-party engineering resources to ensure project success.

About you

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of engineering design, manufacturing engineering, and project management experience.
• Experience within food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or manufacturing environments preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects from initiation through completion.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of process engineering, packaging systems, manufacturing operations, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and engineering documentation.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project, and related engineering software.
• Understanding of OSHA requirements, workplace safety standards, and environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and food manufacturing standards considered a strong asset.

Environmental / Working Conditions:

• Must be able to move freely throughout all areas of the manufacturing facility, including production, warehouse, maintenance, and office environments.
• Regular exposure to manufacturing conditions, including varying temperatures, noise, moving equipment, and production-related activities.
• Ability to work safely in warm and hot production environments for extended periods while adhering to all safety protocols and PPE requirements.
• Must be comfortable climbing stairs, accessing elevated platforms, and navigating active production areas.
• Occasional lifting, bending, reaching, and prolonged standing or walking may be required.
• Availability to support project activities outside of regular business hours, including startup, commissioning, shutdown, and installation activities as necessary.
• Ability to travel between plant locations and vendor sites on an occasional basis, as required.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment and complying with all company, regulatory, food safety, and environmental standards.

Barry Callebaut can offer you a challenging and dynamic international environment that includes a broad range of opportunities for personal growth and development. Apply for one of our interesting positions and start a great career in the wonderful world of CHOCOLATE. Barry Callebaut is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees. Should you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at the Brantford site.