Localization Projects Manager (f/m/d)

Nutrition Plant Engineering (NPE) is GEA’s global engineering and operations Division for nutrition-related applications, covering dairy, food, new food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental and life sciences industries. The division delivers process technologies, integrated processing lines, and complete plants within several technologies such as brewing systems, liquid processing, aseptic and non-aseptic filling & packaging, concentration and many more. NPE supports global customers by enabling scalable growth, competitiveness and sustainability.

Role Overview

Localization Projects Manager (f/m/d) enables the NPE Division to scale globally while strengthening local market presence. The role drives product localization initiatives across global manufacturing sites, ensuring that technologies, products, and capabilities are available close to customers and markets.

Embedded in Operations Strategy & Execution and reporting to the Vice President Operations Strategy & Execution, the role provides structured project leadership and governance for localization programs serving global businesses and regional production. By driving product localization initiatives, the role reduces dependency on centralized manufacturing, shortens lead times, and improves cost competitiveness and supply resilience. As a result, NPE is better positioned to serve local market requirements while maintaining global standards and efficiency.

Your key responsabilities:

Lead Global Localization Projects

• Manage cross-functional localization projects from feasibility assessment through full implementation, including timelines, budget oversight, and quality assurance.
• Coordinate localization funnels, standards, and governance frameworks (e.g., China or India localization programs).
• Ensure structured risk, dependency, and stakeholder management throughout the project lifecycle.

Drive Strategy Execution & Operational Excellence

• Translate corporate and divisional localization strategy into actionable project roadmaps and standardized processes.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and scalability improvements.
• Ensure alignment with market needs, manufacturing capabilities, and divisional priorities.

Enable Collaboration & Knowledge Transfer

• Facilitate collaboration between sending and landing sites, ensuring seamless technology and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Regional Teams to drive alignment and execution.
• Provide structured project reporting, KPI tracking, and risk escalation to senior management.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related technical field.

• Certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile) are an advantage.

• Project management experience within manufacturing, engineering, operations, or localization.

• Demonstrated success in delivering cross-functional projects in an international industrial environment.

• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, technology transfer, and localization strategies.

• Experience managing budgets, timelines, risks, and diverse stakeholder groups.

• Hands-on, execution-driven mindset with strong ownership and accountability.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and facilitation skills across cultures and hierarchical levels.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a structured, data-driven approach.

• Fluent in English; additional languages (e.g., German) are beneficial.

What happens once your application is submitted?

You will receive an E-Mail when your application has been processed. One of our Talent Acquisition Specialists will review and verify that the applicant meets the qualifications criteria. Once your application has been successfully verified and depending on the role you will be invited to a first interview either virtual or face to face. Usually after the second or third interview round we will make a decision.
 

*For reasons of readability, no gender-specific differentiation is made in the job advertisement. However, the job advertisement is explicitly aimed at all persons.