Capital Projects Portfolio Director

Company Description

Louis Dreyfus Company is a leading merchant and processor of agricultural goods. Our activities span the entire value chain from farm to fork, across a broad range of business lines, we leverage our global reach and extensive asset network to serve our customers and consumers around the world. Structured as a matrix organization of six geographical regions and ten platforms, Louis Dreyfus Company is active in over 100 countries and employs approximately 18,000 people globally.

Job Description

This position is responsible for the coordination and completion of projects on time, within budget and within scope by setting adequate standards and governance. The position will oversee all aspects of projects including setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, monitoring/summarizing the progress of the projects, and preparing reports for upper management regarding status of projects.

The Regional capital projects portfolio director should set and implement adequate standards and governance based on Global LDC guidelines to accomplish the project on time, in budget, meets desired capabilities, and complies with all applicable safety standards.

He or she will coordinate with other departments to ensure all aspects of each project are compatible and will set the appropriate resources that are required to execute the plan, working directly with clients to ensure deliverables fall within the applicable scope and budget.

This position will work with internal and external resources as necessary in the design and construction of new facilities and the modification of existing facilities as required to meet commercial expectations, maximize operating efficiencies and maintain compliance with all federal, state and local regulatory requirements.

Project Validation

During the investment validation stage this position will be responsible to:

• Validate the Projects technical and CAPEX budget assumptions as put together by the Business Development team, during the due diligence for the acquisition of an asset or during the evaluation of a project before its validation by the Resource Committee, within the company's standards.

• Review the company deliverables and makes sure that conceptual design, front end engineering and detailed engineering studies including the projects criteria are achievable in the set forth timeline.

• Validate project budget estimates for CAPEX / OPEX budgets for the annual company budget process.

Project Execution and Controls

Once the investment has been fully approved by the Company this position will be responsible to:

• Control the set-up of the Project Construction Management Team.

• Prepare / review equipment specifications and preparation and review of RFQ's.

• Ensures the roll-out of the project according to agreed specifications, cost and delivery lead time.

• Oversee the selection of strategic process, construction or EPC/design to build suppliers.

• Validate the project cost and delivery schedules before the beginning of construction.

• Ensures that project management controls (SHE, Quality Assurance, project control, project budget and implementation schedule, commissioning and start up programs) are in place throughout the project's development. This includes weekly and monthly reporting at both regional and global levels.

• Oversees the operation's start up and handover of the asset to the operations team.

• Ensures the roll out of the project according to agreed specifications, cost and delivery lead time.

• Validates the projects Capex/Opex annual budge during the annual Budget and Reforecast processes.

Project Validation / Project Execution and Controls - Process and Procedures

• Select and develop relationships with strategic partners.

• Develop or enhance appropriate reports, templates and procedures for project controls.

• Keep track of industry or Project Engineering best practices.

• Contribute to the development of LDC industrial standards (process design / standard components / maintenance / continuous improvement)

• Help support and develop the systems globally to consistently estimate and execute large capital projects.

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Additional Responsibilities

• Review our existent process for discretionary capex for LDC and propose new revisions and fill the gaps in case of any.

• Consolidate and keep update the new project management system for LDC, where each and every steps of the project shall be described.

• Stablish the capex classification according the size/risk and propose governance for each case.

• Ensure the project produces the specified results in the annual workplan(s) to the required standard of quality and within the timeline and budget parameters.

• Serve as one of the primary interfaces for engineering on technical issues with operations.

• Problem solving and troubleshooting as requested by the plants on an as-needed basis.

• Conduct feasibility studies for oilseed processing, refining, packaging, grain, milling and biofuels facilities.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Mechanical, Civil, Agricultural, or Chemical Engineering

Experience

Required qualification :

• 10+ years of industrial Senior Project Management/Engineering experience.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities (including any physical demands)

• Familiarity with the basics of oilseed processing, edible oils, grain and milling operations or biofuels is desired.

• Proficiency with applicable computer software packages including AutoCad, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project.

• Exposure to plant operations, maintenance and safety

• Knowledge of design codes and governmental regulations affecting the industry including but not limited to NFPA 36, OSHA and EPA standards and requirements

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and interest with strong problem solving skills

• Excellent organizational and planning capabilities with the ability to handle multiple assignments at the same time.

• Strong verbal and written communications skills

• Ability to work as a team member

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.

• High sense of urgency

• Financial analysis skills.

• Procurement/ contract negotiations skills

• HAZOPS implementation

• Tolerance for ambiguity.

• Comfortable working with individuals at all organizational levels.

Additional Information

Equipment Used

• Typical office equipment: PC, telephone, PDA, fax machine

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail and multiple priorities. Domestic travel is required as assigned. Periodic visits to industrial operations areas are necessary with exposure to variety of temperatures and prevailing weather conditions. Regular exposure to gases, vapors, dust and odors, and occasional exposure to areas with wet floors and high volume of noise during plant visits. Some stair climbing is required. Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary to complete time-sensitive projects or to respond to emergencies.

Employee Supervision

• Regional Project Managers will direct line report to this position and indirectly manage site Project Managers.

• The major project managers employed at sites will dotted line report to this position

Decision Making/Accountability

• Able to work unsupervised and make critical decisions on project and plant process management that have direct implications to budgets and profitability of an agricultural processing plant. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple levels of management to make recommendations on capital projects and process improvements.

What We Offer

We provide a dynamic and stimulating international environment, which will stretch and develop your abilities and channel your skills and expertise with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the largest and most solid private companies in the world.

- Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental and vision care coverage, flexible spending account plans, employee assistance program, life insurance and disability coverage
- 401k with Company Match
- Family Friendly Benefits including childbirth and parental leave, fertility and family building benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays
- Flexible work available (not applicable to all roles)

Diversity & Inclusion

LDC is driven by a set of shared values and high ethical standards, with diversity and inclusion being part of our DNA. LDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion.

LDC encourages diversity, supports local communities and environmental initiatives. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO)

Louis Dreyfus Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Sustainability

Sustainable value is at the heart of our purpose as a company.

We are passionate about creating fair and sustainable value, both for our business and for other value chain stakeholders: our people, our business partners, the communities we touch and the environment around us