Project Engineering Manager (m/f/d) (Head of Project Department site Elmshorn)

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role,

Project Engineering Manager (m/f/d) (Head of Project Department site Elmshorn).

The Company

JDE (Jacobs Douwe Egberts) is a subsidiary of JDE Peet's, the world's largest pure-play coffee and tea company, headquartered in the Netherlands.

For more than 265 years, JDE has been inspired by the belief that it's amazing what can happen over a cup of coffee.

Today, JDE unleashes the possibilities of coffee and tea in more than 100 countries with a portfolio of over 50 brands, including L'OR, Jacobs, Senseo, Tassimo, Douwe Egberts, Old Town, Super, Pickwick and Moccona.

Business is driven by the vision that there is a right coffee and tea for everyone.

JDE is committed to looking for creative, innovative ways to make a positive difference.

The current JDE business was formed in 2015 from the merger of Mondelez’s coffee business and D.

E Master Blenders.

After the merger with Peet’s, the company was listed on the stock exchange (Euronext Amsterdam) in early June 2020.

Based in the Netherlands, JDE is present with its brands in over 120 countries and employs over 18.000 people worldwide.

JDE is the market leader in the German coffee market and the No.1 or No. 2 ranked coffee company in 28 countries through Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.

With a revenue exceeding €7bn, the company is the largest coffee company in the world.

• Key Pointers
• The production site in Elmshorn manufactures instant coffee, which is then packed in 600kg bags, glass, and pouches in other plants.
• There is 1 continuous production line on site, the heart of which is the world’s largest freeze dryer.
• The site runs on 5 shifts and runs full through the calendar year.
• There are a total of 100 FTEs on site, with 50 FTEs in production, the rest sitting in administration, project management, engineering, and logistics departments.
• From a Lean and Operational Excellence perspective, the site is currently site at an AM level 3-4, with the AM systems of levels 1-3 will need to be consolidated.
• The site is highly automated, several projects are currently underway together with R&D to optimise technology.

Further projects for renewal are already being planned and developed.

• Supply for the site is strong, where the coffee supply is guaranteed, and delivered by truck.
• The site is dedicated to sustainability, with a high focus on energy savings projects. Roadmaps for energy and water consumption reduction are already available.
• Site CAPEX investment of €9.8M in 2024, average of €4–5M planned annually over the next 3 years.
• Strategic projects include digitization, MES (Manufacturing Execution System) implementation, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Purpose of the Position

Reporting directly to the Plant Manager and a member of the site leadership team, the Project Engineering Manager is accountable for all technical and engineering project management activities on-site.

Leading a team of 9 FTEs (Project Engineers and Technical Specialists), the incoming incumbent will manage the CAPEX and OPEX investment program, oversee automation and infrastructure projects, and ensure alignment with strategic goals for safety, efficiency, sustainability, and digital transformation.

This is a leadership role with a significant impact on the site's future capabilities and operational excellence.

The Project Engineering Manager will focus on the coming overhaul projects for the site, as well as Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and further digitisation of the manufacturing site.

This leader will also own and run the Master Plan for the site moving forwards.

• Year one critical success factors
• Take on both the planning and delivery of ongoing automation projects, achieving a seamless handover from external management thereof.
• Play a critical role in the conception and development of future CAPEX infrastructure plans, developing strategic capability in the department to support the conception of the 5-year strategic vision for the site.
• Effectively provide input, then ultimately take on the Master Plan for the Elmshorn site.
• Developed a strong understanding of JDE manufacturing processes on site, with an oversight of elements of lean, continuous improvement, and TPM that could be improved by the project management team.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as CAPEX budget owner (€4–6M annually); oversee delivery of all investment projects on time, in full, and within budget.
• Identify, scope, and prioritize annual and long-term engineering initiatives aligned with loss-driven improvement areas (Safety, Quality, Energy, Output).
• Establish standardized project procedures, ensuring early and ongoing stakeholder engagement and clear success/handover criteria.
• Implement manufacturing standards (AM/PM) within all project scopes.
• Lead the Initiative Management (IM) Pillar; apply JDE Peet’s toolkits (VSU – Vertical Start-Up, EWP, etc.).
• Drive the creation and execution of the technical masterplan (CBN) to support the overall site strategy.
• Lead and develop a diverse team of engineers and a local buyer/CAPEX controller, with expertise across process, automation, electrical, and energy disciplines.
• Actively collaborate with Production, Quality, CI, SHE, HR, Finance, and external partners.
• Serve as a key contributor to the broader Instant network and R&D projects across JDE Peet’s
• The Candidate

Experience and Professional Qualifications

Experience and professional qualifications required for the role.

• University degree (Bachelor or Master) in process engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project management, ideally in the FMCG or food & beverage sector, with a focus on process equipment.
• Proven experience in leading cross-functional technical teams.
• Solid foundation in Continuous Improvement, Lean, TPM, especially pillar structures and AM/PM standards.
• Fluent in German and English.
• Proficient in SAP, Microsoft Office, Planisware (Capex Pro); Power BI knowledge is a plus.

Skills and Competencies

Skills and competencies required for the role.

• High degree of ownership and accountability; able to lead large-scale change independently.
• Experience in production or maintenance environments is a plus.
• Strong team leadership with the ability to develop talent across disciplines.
• Structured communicator with clear, transparent, and proactive communication style.
• Passionate about driving performance, with high standards and attention to detail.
• Comfortable in complex, fast-paced, and automated environments, with an eye toward long-term impact.
• Collaborative and empathetic leadership style; effective within a plant leadership team and across global interfaces.
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