Project Engineer, Processing & Utilities

Unilever•Raeford, NC

About The Position

This role exists to ensure the successful execution of site capital investment projects from initial concept, evaluation, and approval through implementation, commissioning, and project closure, in full compliance with Unilever policies, engineering standards, and Safety, Health & Environment (SHE) requirements. The Project Engineer, Processing & Utilities plays a critical role in enabling operational excellence, asset reliability, and sustainable growth of the factory. A key dimension of this role is to actively drive the site Decarbonization Roadmap, ensuring capital projects directly contribute to achieving net‑zero carbon emissions, improved energy efficiency, and long-term environmental sustainability. You will lead and deliver engineering projects that matter—for people, performance, and the planet—working in close collaboration with local, regional, and global stakeholders to ensure best-in-class solutions are implemented.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Proven experience leading engineering and capital projects in manufacturing or industrial environments.
Strong knowledge of CAPEX governance, project controls, and financial management.
Strong knowledge of utility systems.
Solid understanding of safety, health, and environmental regulations.

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end execution of site capital investment projects (CAPEX), ensuring delivery against defined scope, cost, timeline, quality, and safety targets.
Plan, coordinate, and execute approved annual capital plans, ensuring OTIF delivery, robust cost control, and accurate capitalization.
Own and actively drive execution of the factory Decarbonization Roadmap, ensuring engineering projects support the achievement of net‑zero carbon emissions targets.
Ensure all new and modified processing assets are designed and installed in line with best available energy-efficient technologies and sustainability principles.
Manage project budgets, purchase requisitions, technical specifications, supplier selection, and contract execution in alignment with Procurement and Unilever governance.
Ensure proper project governance, approvals, closures, and financial write-offs (CAPEX, R2, WO) within DRA requirements.
Maintain accurate project tracking, reporting, asset registration, and complete technical documentation (drawings, manuals, MP files).
Ensure full compliance with SHE standards, leading construction safety activities and promoting a zero-accident culture for contractors and employees.
Lead Construction Management activities, including contractor supervision, risk assessments, permits, method statements, and work authorizations.
Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements (including NOM-STPS), Unilever engineering standards, and internal audit expectations.
Lead and embed effective Change Management across all project implementations.
Apply and lead Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) methodologies, with strong ownership of the EEM and EPM (Early Equipment & Product Management) pillars across projects.
Participate actively in conceptual, basic, and detailed engineering design, technical evaluation of equipment, FAT/SAT, installation, and commissioning.
Coordinate with Production, Strategy, and Planning teams to align shutdowns, installations, and commissioning activities with minimal impact to service and demand.
Support Manufacturing teams in resolving chronic equipment and process losses through engineering analysis, technical expertise, and continuous improvement.
Coordinate with local, regional, and global Technology & Engineering (T&E) teams to ensure compliance with standards, specifications, and technical documentation.
Actively participate in regional and global engineering forums, sharing best practices, lessons learned, and innovation opportunities.
Build strong partnerships with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to deliver integrated and sustainable project outcomes.