Lead Engineer, RM Grading & Storage Facility (m, w, x)

Position Title: Lead Engineer, RM Grading & Storage Facility

Position Type: Regular – Full‑Time

Grade: 04

Requisition ID: 38950

McCain’s culture is built on ambition, curiosity, and a passion for creating exceptional work experiences. We promise a customer‑first mindset that makes doing business with McCain easy.

About The Role

As Lead Engineer you will oversee the design, construction, integration, and startup of a state‑of‑the‑art potato receiving, grading and dynamic storage plant. This greenfield project in Germany will combine core mechanical engineering with logistics, warehousing and automation expertise, delivering advanced digital technologies and AI solutions.

Project Management

• Collaborate with subject matter experts and stakeholders to meet project deliverables.
• Coordinate with global teams to drive and track innovation progress, organise pilot testing, and ensure technology readiness.
• Maintain responsibility for quality, cost and schedule of the grading station portion of the greenfield project.

Logistics and Warehouse Leadership

• Develop, implement and integrate intelligent sorting systems and raw‑material categorisation.
• Drive logistics efficiency for material storage and handling.
• Implement warehouse automation technologies including robotics, AI‑driven inventory forecasting and smart storage systems.

Digital & AI Implementation

• Champion digital tools (IoT, cloud platforms) and AI‑driven process optimisation across grading, sorting and warehousing.
• Deploy and maintain machine‑learning models for defect detection, grading accuracy and predictive maintenance.
• Liaise with IT and data‑science teams to pilot new technologies.

Team Leadership & Training

• Lead and develop teams in digital manufacturing, upskilling staff on AI‑based platforms.
• Foster a culture of innovation, digital literacy and continuous learning.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Monitor product quality using AI‑powered dashboards.
• Ensure compliance with data governance, cybersecurity and industry regulations.

Process Improvement

• Analyse operational data to identify efficiencies using advanced analytics and AI.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in automation, digital workflow and lean management.

Technical Installation & Commissioning

• Supervise receiving station, grading machinery, conveyors, robots and AI‑enabled controllers, plus multi‑box storage, washing and blending stations.
• Coordinate maintenance requirements with IT and engineering teams.

Reporting & Documentation

• Deliver digital reports, AI‑generated trend analyses and operational performance summaries.
• Maintain comprehensive records within secure digital platforms.

Operations Management Support

• Provide support for day‑to‑day grading station operations, ensuring compliance with quality standards.
• Leverage digital track‑and‑trace systems and AI analytics to optimise workflows.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, logistics or a related technical field.
• Direct experience managing large capital projects, ideally with budgets > €100 million.
• Proven track record in constructing and commissioning digitally enabled operations in warehouse, logistics or grading environments.
• Strong project experience in complex logistics systems is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrated leadership in digital and cultural change.

Technical & Language Skills

• Excellent analytical, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Fluent in German and English (French or Dutch a plus).

Leadership Practices & Soft Skills

• Agile, innovative, resilient and committed to McCain Leadership principles.
• Strong interpersonal skills and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in team management, training, risk assessment, hazard control and incident investigation.
• Deep understanding of regulatory compliance, digital governance and ethical standards.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and relocation bonus if necessary.
• Health and pension insurance.
• Opportunity to be part of a global iconic brand and greenfield project in Germany.
• Friendly, high‑performing team and flat hierarchy.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person to stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. Flexibility is important – most office‑based roles follow a hybrid model with the option to work remotely two days a week. Please speak with your recruiter for details.

Equal Opportunity Employer

McCain Foods is an equal‑opportunity employer. We strive to be the employer of choice in diverse communities worldwide. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

We are an accessible employer. If you require accommodation in the recruitment process, let us know and we will find appropriate solutions.

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