Project Manager – Debottlenecking

About the role

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is seeking a Project Manager to lead debottlenecking initiatives across its sugar manufacturing facilities. The role will oversee engineering workstreams from design validation through commissioning and hand‑over, ensuring projects meet safety, quality and performance targets.

Key responsibilities

• Lead engineering workstreams within approved scope, standards, quality requirements and schedules.
• Review and validate designs, specifications, drawings, calculations, BOQs and installation methods.
• Coordinate contractors, consultants, OEMs and site resources for safe and efficient project execution.
• Conduct technical reviews, risk assessments, constructability reviews and quality inspections.
• Monitor contractor workmanship, installation quality and compliance with approved specifications.
• Support procurement through technical scopes, bid evaluations, supplier assessments and equipment recommendations.
• Develop commissioning plans, testing procedures and technical acceptance protocols.
• Validate equipment sizing and technical solutions against required throughput, energy balance, reliability and operability outcomes.
• Lead technical commissioning, verify system performance, reliability and safety before hand‑over.
• Support operational readiness and integrate project deliverables into maintenance and operational systems.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Process Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in a manufacturing or industrial project environment.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing, sugar, mining, food or process industries.
• Proven experience in commissioning, start‑up activities and brownfield process‑plant upgrades, debottlenecking or capacity‑expansion projects.

Required skills

• Design validation
• Risk assessment
• Constructability review
• Quality inspection
• Commissioning and start‑up activities
• Familiarity with OCMS or similar capital planning/project tracking systems