The Project Process Engineer will lead capital projects, manufacturing improvements, and new product industrialization initiatives within the plant. This role serves as the key engineering partner between manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams, ensuring successful project execution, manufacturing readiness, and successful commercialization of new products and packaging innovations.

This position offers a unique opportunity to manage projects from concept through startup while supporting innovation, productivity, packaging, and process improvement initiatives across the facility.

Key Responsibilities

Capital Project Leadership

• Lead capital projects involving processing, packaging, utilities, and facility improvements.
• Manage projects from concept development through implementation and operational handoff.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, equipment specifications, and implementation plans.
• Coordinate contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project execution.
• Support equipment commissioning, startup, validation, and qualification activities.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
   

Industrialization & Commercialization

• Serve as the plant engineering lead for product launches, packaging changes, productivity projects, and innovation initiatives.
• Partner with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, Operations, and Packaging teams to ensure successful commercialization.
• Lead plant trials, product qualifications, and validation activities.
• Coordinate trial planning, execution, and post-trial analysis.
• Identify manufacturing risks and develop mitigation plans before launch.
• Ensure plant capabilities and operational requirements are incorporated into project design and validation activities.
   

Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements in manufacturing efficiency, reliability, quality, and productivity.
• Support process optimization initiatives across packaging and processing operations.
• Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Recommend and implement technical improvements that reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance operational performance.
   

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary engineering liaison between plant operations and cross-functional project teams.
• Build strong working relationships with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, R&D, and external suppliers.
• Provide technical guidance during equipment selection, installation, startup, and production ramp-up.
• Support strategic planning efforts related to manufacturing growth, facility layouts, material handling, and future capital investments.
   

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• 3–7 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading capital projects, equipment installations, or process improvement initiatives.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, quality, and engineering teams.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Food, beverage, dairy, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or pharmaceutical manufacturing experience.
• Experience with packaging systems, process equipment, or industrial automation.
• New Product Introduction (NPI), commercialization, or industrialization experience.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, or similar project management tools.
• Familiarity with OSHA, FDA, GMP, or food safety requirements.
   

Why Join Us?

• Lead high-impact capital and manufacturing improvement projects.
• Play a key role in bringing innovative products and packaging solutions to market.
• Work closely with Operations, Engineering, R&D, and Supply Chain leaders.
• Gain broad exposure to capital projects, manufacturing operations, and commercialization activities.
• Opportunity to grow into senior engineering and plant leadership roles.