Assistant Principal Project Engineer, COE

ASR Group is the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in Louisiana, New York, California, Maryland, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in England and Portugal. ASR Group also owns and operates mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s brand portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®.

OVERVIEW

This advanced Project and Program Manager role leads strategic portfolio initiatives and drives continuous improvement across complex capital projects. The position requires deep project/program management expertise, strong strategic development skills, and subject‑matter knowledge across multiple disciplines.

Key responsibilities include leading portfolio-wide project prioritization, developing corporate processes and software tools, overseeing reporting governance, forecasting, budgeting, risk analysis, and conducting forensic reviews of cost and schedule performance. This role partners closely with plant/facility teams to create comprehensive project lists and provides executive-level reporting and insights.

The position ensures workflows, tools, and systems are streamlined, automated where possible, and designed to support effective decision-making. Acting as a liaison between project sites, corporate partners, and stakeholders, this role enhances transparency and improves cost and schedule predictability through data-driven analysis.

This role supports large, complex CAPEX programs involving safety, infrastructure, process improvement, capacity expansion, compliance, and operational efficiency. It also includes leading cross-functional teams and mentoring engineering, finance, and procurement staff while ensuring adherence to safety and environmental standards.

The ideal candidate has expert knowledge of engineering principles, project management methodologies, and process equipment, along with strong leadership, communication, and continuous improvement skills. Additional requirements include familiarity with regulatory and engineering standards and the willingness to travel 25–50% annually.

LOCATION OF ROLE

• This role is remote (5 days a week) with 25–50% annually.travel to any of our refinery and/or non-refinery operations as required.

DETAILED ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Senior level Project Manager executing complex projects across the enterprise at any location. In addition, Leader, Trainer and Mentor of project management delivery tools and processes. Implements and builds tools and systems to execute and manage complex projects and programs from initiation to closure, ensuring alignment with company objectives. Provides support and/or manages COE projects. 
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• Develops new or advances current software programs to support corporate initiatives, investment strategies, capital efficiency, cost accuracy and create project transparency while reducing work. 
• Develops process and workflows that advance project management, provides insight to decision makers, and reduces human error traps.  
• Advances and governs the cost and forecast reporting process, workflows, and tools.
• Streamline cost, forecasts, and budget processes to be more automated, robust, and insightful.
• Collects, governs, analyzes, forecasts, and reports portfolio budgets ($170M to $300M). Includes: trend analysis, risk standpoints, committed vs. actual, under and overrun potential.
• Leads the effort to utilize advanced portfolio tools such as Power BI and SAP add-ons.
• Own the project prioritization process, runs list reviews and project addition meetings producing portfolio level reporting/insights.
• Identify potential portfolio risk and implement mitigation strategies.
• Reviews Project Charters and AFE documents to ensure the majority level is met and all cost s and risks are validated.
• Acts as the primary liaison between the project teams, executive leadership, and external stakeholders.
• Provides regular updates to senior leadership on portfolio progress, challenges, and financial performance.
• Reviews and provide guidance on project deliverables for gate review documents challenging Total Installed Cost and the entirety of the business exposure.
• Driver the development of best practices and innovative solutions which enhance our operational performance and reduce costs.

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in any engineering discipline from an ABET Accredited institution; candidates with other technical degrees will be considered based on relevant process and project experience.
• 15+ years of experience in the manufacturing process and/or project focused role
• 15+ years of experience managing Capex projects within the manufacturing industry
• Strong knowledge of project management methodology on multiple $5M+ projects
• Ability to communicate and interact with multiple levels within an organization and professionally represent the company with outside vendors and engineering partners
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, work under pressure, and meet deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, SAP, and similar project management applications

QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Advanced degree related to engineering or project management
• Master’s in Business Administration
• Project Management Professional certification
• Experience with Focused Improvement (DMAIC, Six Sigma certifications preferred)
• Experience with all elements of capital disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Power Distribution, Control Systems, Civil, Environmental, etc.) 
• Experience with both batch and continuous flow manufacturing processes
• Experience with the OSHA PSM standard and covered processes
• People management (formal or informal) experience a plus

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.