Position Title:Vice President Engineering GEM (Great Britain, Europe, Middle East & North Africa)

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time ​

Requisition ID: 45075 

Vice President Engineering GEM (Great Britain, Europe, Middle East & North Africa)

The Company

At McCain, we are focused on driving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and innovation while delivering exceptional value for our customers and consumers. We continue to strengthen our position in key markets through investment in our people, technology, manufacturing network, and digital capabilities. By building world-class operations, advancing our transformation agenda, and fostering strong customer partnerships, we are creating a more agile, resilient, and future-ready business.

Guided by our purpose to celebrate real connections through delicious, planet-friendly food, we are committed to operating responsibly and creating positive impact for our employees, customers, communities, and the environment. Our success is built on talented people who are empowered to make decisions, challenge the status quo, and continuously improve how we work. Together, we foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and high performance.

The Vice President, Engineering, GEM is a key member of the Global Engineering Leadership Team, reporting to the Global Vice President, Engineering, with a strong matrix partnership to the Vice President, Operations, GEM. This role provides strategic leadership across engineering, capital project execution, asset reliability, manufacturing technology, and engineering capability development, ensuring the region's manufacturing network is positioned to safely, efficiently, and sustainably deliver against McCain's growth ambitions and operational priorities.

The Position

This role works closely with the GEM Operations Team, the nine manufacturing facilities in the region (three in Great Britain, three in France, two in Belgium, two in the Netherlands and one in Poland), and other elements of the wider McCain network, including elements of design services oversight within the Snacking business.

Primary responsibilities for this role cover the delivery of both Base and Transformational Capital Projects, as well as design services related to reliability, environmental, process, sustainability, utilities, and other fundamental engineering disciplines related to the manufacture of food. An early priority will be to help shape the regional engineering organization and clarify accountabilities so that its structure and capabilities support the full GEM scope.

Relationships

• • Reports to: Global VP of Engineering; dotted line to Regional Operations Vice Presidents, GEM
  • Direct Reports: Regional engineering directors
  • Peers: North America VP of Engineering, LATAM & APACSA VP of Engineering, GEM VP of FSQ, GEM VP of EH&S
  • There are roughly 50+ direct engineering staff in this organization

Scope of Responsibilities

• • General
    • • Develop and execute the GEM engineering strategy and one-year and five-year engineering and CapEx plans, in alignment with overall business objectives, ensuring capital and resource allocation support both near-term operational needs and long-term growth.
      • Manage the engineering organization's operating and capital budgets, ensuring spending discipline, accurate forecasting, and return on investment across all projects.
      • Provide leadership and oversight of capital project execution across the GEM network, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, on budget, and to specification.
      • Apply McCain's global engineering, maintenance, reliability and project management standards and specifications to ensure consistency, quality, and safety across all facilities, while accounting for local operating needs and country-specific regulatory requirements.
      • Champion a culture of continuous improvement, driving the adoption of lean principles and industry best practices across engineering, maintenance, and operations.
      • Identify and apply automation, robotics, digital twins, simulation, advanced process controls and connected factory solutions where they improve project outcomes or manufacturing performance, partnering with Global Innovation, R&D and site teams to scale effective solutions across the network.
      • Build strong cross-functional partnerships with Manufacturing, Technical Execution, H&S, FSQ, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sustainability, and Finance leadership to ensure engineering priorities support broader business goals.
      • Provide regular reporting and communication to senior leadership on engineering performance, capital project status, and key risks.
      • Partner with Global Engineering, GEM Operations and HR to shape the regional engineering structure and clarify accountabilities as the model evolves.
      • Attract, hire, develop, and retain top engineering talent across countries and sites, building organizational depth and succession plans for critical roles.
      • Ensure robust risk management practices are in place across engineering, maintenance, and utility systems to protect people, assets, and continuity of operations.
      • Manage relationships with external vendors, contractors, and engineering firms across the region to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in outsourced work.
  • Capital Project Delivery
    • • Develop and oversee the overall Capital Project Delivery Portfolio, consisting of 300+ active projects and roughly EUR 200M - EUR 400M spend per year, across McCain's GEM asset base, governing prioritization, business cases, IRR and other investment measures, approvals, spend discipline and benefits tracking.
      • Lead project governance from concept and design through construction, commissioning, start-up and handover to Operations, establishing controls for scope, schedule, cost, technical quality, contractor performance and risk, and intervening when projects move off plan.
      • Coach and mentor Project Managers during Front End Loading activities for strategic and complex projects that drive predictability for the business in delivering commitments around Safety, Cost, and Schedule.
      • Participate as a key champion on multiple high-value initiatives associated with plant and project safety (Construction Safety, Machine Guarding, Pedestrian Safety, Operations Safety, Process Safety, Boiler Safety, Food Safety, and more), engineering standardization, project and portfolio management tool sustainment, and more.
      • Arbitrate decisions pertaining to project scope related to process and infrastructure design, typical to large-scale food manufacturing facilities, with a focus on people safety, food safety, food quality, hygienic design, and cost competitiveness.
      • Act as the primary Technical Sponsor for large and strategic engineering projects communicated to Senior Leadership and Board Members, and chair steering committees for strategic regional projects.
      • Participate in early ideation of strategic business initiatives including new plant builds (greenfield and brownfield), expansions, plant closures, new product development, new technology adoption, mergers and acquisitions, and more.
      • Sustain existing and create new, stable relationships with strategic external partners in the Engineering, Services, and Construction space across the GEM region related to CapEx Project Delivery and general support of McCain GEM assets.
  • Utility Engineering
    • • Oversee a utility engineering group responsible for boiler, industrial refrigeration (including ammonia-based systems), and HVAC operations across the GEM manufacturing network, ensuring reliable, code-compliant, and energy-efficient performance.
      • Own compliance with safety-critical regulatory requirements tied to these systems across each country of operation, including major-hazard requirements for ammonia refrigeration where applicable (EU Seveso III Directive / UK COMAH), pressure equipment and pressure systems regulations (EU Pressure Equipment Directive / UK PSSR), and F-gas regulations.
      • Drive a proactive inspection and maintenance program for utility assets, minimizing the risk of a boiler, refrigeration, or HVAC failure halting production or compromising food safety and product quality.
      • Standardize utility engineering practices, spare-parts strategy, and vendor relationships across sites to reduce operational variability and total cost of ownership.
      • Partner with plant operations and EHS to balance energy efficiency and sustainability commitments against capital investment, production continuity, and food-safety requirements.
      • Build and develop a team of utility engineers and technicians with the specialized expertise required to support ammonia refrigeration, boiler operations, and HVAC systems in a 24/7 food manufacturing environment.

Accountabilities

• • Leadership of Project and Maintenance activities for GEM (excluding Snacking)
  • Leadership of Engineering Services for GEM
  • Represent GEM as a key contributor on the McCain Global Engineering Leadership Team
  • Deliver year over year cost and working capital reductions, as well as drive cost avoidance
  • Compliance of the organization to Finance and Procurement policies

Decision Making Authorities and Impact

• • Capital Spend: EUR 200M - EUR 400M yearly
  • Budget: EUR 10M (operating budget across GEM)

Location and Travel

Position location: Preferred office location is Amsterdam, NL. Regular travel will be required across GEM sites (Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Poland) and the wider region, with periodic international travel to support Global Engineering.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• • 15+ years of progressive or comparable experience in Engineering, Environmental and Maintenance, including leadership across multiple manufacturing sites and countries (mix of both Operations and Engineering would be an asset)
  • Experience developing one-year and five-year engineering and CapEx plans and governing a significant multi-site portfolio, ideally at a scale of 200+ projects and EUR 200M+ in annual spend
  • Experience leading sizeable groups of internal and external technical experts (ideally 40 or more) and influencing senior stakeholders in a matrixed, multi-country organization
  • Food or beverage manufacturing experience preferred; relevant process manufacturing experience will also be considered. Hygienic design experience is an asset
  • Working knowledge of European and UK engineering, environmental and process safety regulatory frameworks
  • Track record of measurable results in:
    • Capital Spending - Timing, Budget Adherence, Project Delivery of Performance
    • Maintenance - Spending, Budget Adherence
    • Environmental - Regulatory Violations, Preparedness
    • Sustainability - Water, Energy, and Natural Resource Consumption
    • OEE - Overall Equipment Effectiveness

Competencies

Technical

1)   A proven track record of delivering quality results in a food environment. Continuous improvement and results orientation achieved through the development and growth of others. Must excel at thought leadership and the ability to work with and influence others. The ability to deal with and develop a plan in an ambiguous environment, delivering the best value to the marketplace.

2)   Strong technical judgment and commitment to safety, including the confidence to challenge decisions when standards or outcomes are at risk.

3)   Ability to lead across cultures, countries and sites, building capability, accountability and collaboration within a matrixed, multi-country organization.

Business

1)   Strategy: The ability to obtain information and identify key issues relevant to achieving the long range goals or vision of the function. From this devise a plan of action to achieve the goals that have been committed to.

2)   Acumen: To understand the competitive landscape of our business and what drives our ability to compete profitably. This allows development of compelling business cases to enroll stakeholders in support of value enhancing initiatives led by Engineering. Mastery of this business capability would include proficiency in the following:

a.   Financial Acumen: a comprehensive understanding of what drives profitability and cash flow. Understand financial statements, key performance measures, and how their decisions will impact value creation.

b.   Market Orientation: a deep understanding of the external environment. This includes the ability to analyze and synthesize market and competitive data. It involves having a deep understanding of the supplier's business objectives and an appreciation of the value we bring to that company.

c.   Strategic Perspective: An overall big picture understanding of the business. This encompasses having an understanding of critical interdependencies across functions and geographies, and grasping the short and long-term trade-offs of business decisions.

Education

• • Must Have: Bachelor's Degree, Engineering
  • Must Have: Professional Engineering License, or equivalent (e.g., Chartered Engineer (CEng) or European equivalent)
  • Nice to Have: Graduate Degree (Engineering, Management, Finance, etc.)

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

AI & Digital Capabilities.

At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. 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.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know  and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions. 

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here. 

Job Family: Engineering & Technical

Location(s): NL - Netherlands : North Holland : Amsterdam || FR - France : Other : Reference job description || GB - United Kingdom : Other : Reference job description || NL - Netherlands : Flevoland : Lelystad || NL - Netherlands : Gelderland : Wezep || NL - Netherlands : Limburg : Maastricht || NL - Netherlands : North Brabant : Cuijk || NL - Netherlands : North Brabant : Helmond || NL - Netherlands : North Brabant : Tilburg || NL - Netherlands : Other : Reference job description || NL - Netherlands : Utrecht : Duurstede || NL - Netherlands : Zeeland : Kruiningen || NL - Netherlands : Zeeland : Lewedorp || NL - Netherlands : Zeeland : Rilland || NL - Netherlands : Zeeland : Yerseke  

Company: McCain Alimentaire SAS