Project Manager

Job Description:
Job Purpose
The Senior Capital Project Manager will lead the detailed engineering, integration, installation, and commissioning of a $30MM capital program involving a new filling and packaging line in Virginia and a new packaging line in California.
Several major equipment packages have already been purchased. This role will focus on completing the detailed engineering, coordinating utilities and facility modifications, managing installation, and ensuring successful startup & commissioning of the production lines.
The position will coordinate external engineering firms, OEM equipment suppliers, contractors, and plant teams to deliver the project safely, on schedule, and within budget.

Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership
Lead execution of large-scale capital projects totaling approximately $30MM across multiple manufacturing facilities.
Manage the project lifecycle including engineering design, procurement, construction, startup, and commissioning.
Maintain project schedules, budgets, and risk management plans.
Provide regular project updates to leadership and key stakeholders.

Engineering & Technical Coordination
Serve as the primary technical interface with equipment OEM suppliers.
Finalize equipment integration requirements including utilities, controls, installation, and commissioning plans.
Ensure alignment between OEM specifications and plant infrastructure.

Vendor & Contractor Management
Manage relationships with OEM equipment suppliers, engineering firms, and installation contractors.
Ensure vendors meet performance, schedule, and safety expectations.

Budget & Financial Management
Manage project budgets including capital appropriation tracking, forecasting, and change order management.
Identify and mitigate cost and schedule risks.

Construction & Installation Management
Develop installation and construction execution plans.
Coordinate contractors for mechanical installation, electrical integration, utilities installation, and facility modifications.
Oversee equipment delivery, rigging, installation, and alignment.
Own the downtime / utility tie-in plan.
Attend daily plant meetings to communicate project activities to plant leadership team.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, and Engineering teams to ensure project success.
Support operator training, ramp-up, and performance validation of new production lines.

Safety & Compliance
Ensure all project activities comply with safety regulations, contractor safety standards, and plant requirements.
Promote strong safety culture during construction and commissioning phases.

Qualifications
Required
Bachelors degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
812%2B years of experience managing capital projects in a manufacturing environment.
Proven experience executing capital projects greater than $10MM.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing equipment, packaging systems, and facility utilities.
Experience managing external engineering firms, OEMs, and construction contractors.

Preferred
Experience in food or consumer packaged goods manufacturing.
Experience with high-speed filling or packaging lines.
Familiarity with stage-gate or FEL capital project processes.

Work Environment & Travel
This role will require regular travel to project sites in Virginia and California, particularly during installation and startup phases.
A nominal 40 hrs/wk M-F is anticipated through detailed engineering, bidding, and OEM vendor equipment lead time phases.
Construction/Installation, startup, and commissioning phases (estimated at a total of around 5-6 months) may require additional hours (i.e. 50%2B), occasional work on off shifts (i.e. afternoon), and/or occasional weekend work.
Midnight shift work is not anticipated, although, could possibly be required in limited circumstances such as utilities tie-ins requiring downtime, etc.