Senior Project Manager, Engineering

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +12 more locations.

📋 Description

• Oversee capital planning and project implementation across various food manufacturing sites.

• Manage assigned capital projects throughout their lifecycle, from initial concept and scope to design, procurement, installation, commissioning, start-up, and transition to Operations.

• Assemble and lead both internal and external cross-functional teams to formulate a comprehensive 5-year capital plan.

• Develop and manage project scope, budget, and schedule while effectively balancing speed, cost, quality, safety, and operational impact.

• Produce capital-approval and engineering documentation, including charters, screening scopes, estimates, business cases, justifications, schedules, and technical specifications.

• Guide vendors, contractors, partner engineering firms, and internal experts through procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning phases.

• Track project KPIs such as safety, food safety, environmental impacts, operational effects, adherence to scope, CQV performance, on-time delivery, cash flow, and budget management.

• Identify and mitigate execution risks, ensure stakeholder alignment, and apply escalation and change management as needed.

• Lead start-up and initial equipment management to ensure stable, repeatable performance and assist in manufacturing ramp-up.

• Mentor, coach, and guide both internal and external team members.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.

• Over 7 years of project management experience, with accountability for multiple capital projects totaling approximately $10M annually.

• Proven experience in leading capital projects within a food manufacturing context, particularly in project engineering and/or project management.

• Background in multi-site capital planning.

• Demonstrated ability in strategic planning.

• Preferred experience with utility systems, wastewater pre-treatment systems, ingredient handling, food processing, and primary and secondary packaging systems.

• Formal project management training or certifications are advantageous.

• Established track record of adhering to LEAN Capital Initiative Management processes.

• A mindset geared towards operational excellence and the ability to propose adaptable solutions.

• Strong, confident communication, technical writing, stakeholder management, and cross-functional influencing skills.

• Comfortable in communicating, presenting, and influencing senior leadership on significant technical matters.

• Proficient in CADD and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.

• Proven success in collaborating effectively within a matrix organization.

• Willingness to travel approximately 50% across assigned facilities.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package with no waiting period – you qualify from your first day.

• 401(k) plan featuring a 5% employer match and 100% vesting as soon as you enroll.

• Extensive paid time off, including immediate access to four weeks of vacation, five sick days, parental leave, and 11 company holidays (with two floating holidays).

• Paid training opportunities.

• Tuition reimbursement program.

• Access to a robust educational platform – DevelopU – offering over 10,000 free courses.

• Inclusive workplace culture.

• Employee Resource Groups.

• Wellness and employee assistance programs.

• Potential eligibility for annual discretionary merit compensation awards, bonuses, and equity pay.