Project Engineer

Ficosota Food is seeking an experienced Project Engineering Manager to lead and coordinate engineering, technical development, and capital investment projects across its manufacturing facilities.

This role combines technical engineering expertise with end-to-end project management, investment planning, and cross-functional coordination. You will be responsible for translating business and product requirements into practical engineering solutions, overseeing project implementation, and ensuring that projects are delivered within approved budgets, agreed timelines, and required quality standards.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in industrial or manufacturing engineering, proven experience in CAPEX project management, and the ability to balance technical requirements, financial objectives, production needs, and business priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Investment Management

• Lead engineering and capital investment projects from initial concept and planning through implementation and final handover.
• Develop preliminary project designs, facility layouts, process flow diagrams, technical specifications, and project documentation.
• Prepare and contribute to investment proposals, including cost estimates, project schedules, resource plans, and financial assessments.
• Monitor project budgets, timelines, milestones, and risks, taking corrective action where necessary.
• Assess investment proposals and project performance against relevant financial indicators, including Payback Period, IRR, and NPV.

Engineering & Technical Development

• Develop engineering concepts and technical solutions for new product requirements and manufacturing capabilities.
• Design and coordinate production facility layouts, equipment arrangements, and technological installations.
• Ensure that engineering designs and project deliverables meet agreed specifications, operational requirements, and quality expectations.
• Balance product development requirements, production needs, technical feasibility, budget constraints, and implementation deadlines.

Supplier & Contractor Management

• Identify and evaluate suppliers, contractors, and engineering partners based on their technical capabilities, expertise, and ability to meet project requirements.
• Negotiate technical and commercial terms for equipment procurement and engineering services.
• Coordinate external partners throughout project execution, ensuring compliance with agreed specifications, costs, and delivery schedules.
• Maintain effective working relationships with international suppliers and other project stakeholders.

Cross-functional Project Coordination

• Coordinate project activities with production facilities, internal departments, external contractors, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Align engineering designs, equipment installations, and implementation plans with operational requirements.
• Allocate and balance internal and external resources according to project priorities and workload.
• Identify and resolve technical, organizational, and supply chain issues that may affect project delivery.
• Communicate project progress, risks, investment requirements, and proposed solutions to relevant stakeholders and senior management.

Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with agreed technical specifications and quality requirements.
• Maintain an appropriate balance between delivery speed, cost efficiency, technical performance, and quality.
• Act as the department's point of contact for the Data Protection Officer (DPO) on relevant data protection matters.
• Support compliance with internal policies, procedures, and practices relating to personal data protection and information security.

Requirements

Education & Professional Experience

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automation, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in engineering, project management, or a comparable role in an industrial or manufacturing environment; 8 or more years of experience would be an advantage.
• Proven experience in planning and delivering large-scale capital investment (CAPEX) projects.
• Experience in project budgeting, cost control, investment planning, and the preparation of investment proposals.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiating with international equipment suppliers, contractors, and engineering service providers.
• Experience in FMCG, food and beverage manufacturing, or heavy industry would be considered an advantage.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Visio, and 3D design and modelling software, such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or equivalent tools.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, production facility layouts, equipment installations, and industrial engineering principles.
• Ability to prepare and interpret technical drawings, process flow diagrams, technical specifications, and investment documentation.
• Understanding of investment evaluation and financial indicators, including ROI, Payback Period, IRR, and NPV.

Languages

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken, at a minimum C1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Key Competencies

• Project Leadership: Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholders, define priorities, allocate resources, and drive projects to completion.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to evaluate technical and financial alternatives, anticipate risks, and make informed decisions.
• Communication & Negotiation: Strong presentation, business communication, and negotiation skills, including the ability to present investment proposals to senior management and external partners.
• Planning & Organization: Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining control over budgets, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Problem-solving & Adaptability: Ability to resolve complex technical and organizational challenges in a changing manufacturing environment.
• Results Orientation: Commitment to achieving measurable business outcomes while maintaining high standards of quality and operational efficiency.
• Collaboration & Partnership: Ability to build effective working relationships with internal teams, suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders.

Interested in leading engineering projects that shape manufacturing capabilities and support business growth? We would welcome the opportunity to hear from you.