Project Head

About the Company

Apical is a leading vegetable oil processor with a growing global presence. We focus on integrated refining and downstream processing for industries across food, feed, oleochemicals, and renewable fuels.

www.apicalgroup.com

About the Role

This is a senior position to lead the project and engineering function for the group which includes the execution of expansion projects mainly in Indonesia and South Asia. The individual will be required to be hands-on and on-site at our key growth project location/city in this region, hence high relocation mobility is a key criterion for consideration.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Project Leadership: Drive multiple growth projects, overseeing planning, engineering, procurement, cost control, legal, and QA/QC.
• On-Site Safety Culture: Enforce a strict zero injury expectation, ensuring total compliance with daily safety protocols, hazard management, and statutory licensing.
• Technical & Engineering Oversight: Direct diverse engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Control, Hydraulic) to solve complex design and construction challenges.
• Budget & Schedule Management: Maintain rigorous control over project timelines and multi-million dollar budgets, executing necessary corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Team Management: Lead, mentor, and define responsibility matrices for diverse, multi-cultural build teams in a matrix environment.
• Strategic Growth Support: Participate in technical due diligence for acquisitions and develop robust Feasibility Study Reports for the Group.
• Tender & Standard Development: Compile specific construction standards, policies, training materials, and comprehensive tender packages for new plants.
• Continuous Field Improvement: Conduct regular on-site Gemba walks and housekeeping inspections to continuously optimize plant operability and performance.
• Stakeholder Communication: Translate complex technical concepts, ideas, and project updates clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Best Practice Application: Identify operational improvements by applying Best Practices in heavy industry plant operation and maintenance.

Qualifications

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (preferably Mechanical or Chemical).
• Years of Experience: Minimum 20 years in engineering/construction, with 8–10 years specifically leading project build teams.
• Industry Background: Proven track record as Project Head in palm-based process plants or heavy industries (Petro-chem, Oleo-chem, Pulp & Paper, Power Gen, Marine).
• Software: Proficiency in Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) like SAP or Maximo.
• Mobility: High relocation mobility; must be willing to be based in remote project areas within Indonesia.
• Languages: Professional fluency in English, Bahasa, and Mandarin (required to effectively liaise with vendors and contractors).