Associate Project Manager

Tetra Pak; Vernon Hills (IL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k company match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Health, dental, vision, life and disa­

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Tetra Pak is seeking an Associate Project Manager to lead processing and packaging projects, based in Vernon Hills, IL, USA or Toronto, Canada. You will manage scope, schedule, and budget while delivering customer value.

The role requires 3+ years in engineering or project management, strong MS Office/Project/SAP/AutoCAD skills, and excellent English. Travel 10-15% to US/Canada sites and trainings; visa sponsorship is not provided.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in engineering and/or managing projects.
• Experience with food processing and/or packaging equipment.
• Strong computer skills including MS Office, MS Project, SAP and basic AutoCAD.
• Solid leadership and communication abilities.
• Experience with budgeting, fiscal management and project planning.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of dairy/beverage/powder/ASEPTIC packaging is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own overall project execution and provide leadership to deliver results.
• Ensure deliverables align with contract and project charter.
• Break down projects into tasks and meet milestones within budget.
• Manage scope changes and variation orders.
• Secure project communication and documentation per plan.
• Provide lessons learned and support process/tool improvements.
• Work with account managers and engineering on quotation development for systems/modules.
• Participate in project review boards and present findings.
• Continue education in Project Management and PMP prep.
• Execute in line with Tetra Pak strategy and values.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Budgeting

Planning

English proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

SAP

AutoCAD

Job description

At Tetra Pak we commit to making food safe and available, everywhere; and we protect what's good – protecting food, protecting people, and protecting the planet. By doing so we touch millions of people's lives every day.

And we need people like you to make it happen.

We empower you to reach your potential with opportunities to make an impact to be proud of – for food, people and the planet.

Job Summary

This position will be responsible for managing projects type L0-L1 (processing project applicant level) and/or L1-L2 (packaging project applicant level) within the framework of the budget, time schedule, quality, governance, and scope, contributing to the overall sales result and customer satisfaction.

The position is based in Vernon Hills, IL, USA or Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

You will be travelling 10-15% of your time to our customer sites in both US and Canada, as well as regionally or globally for trainings.

Tetra Pak is not sponsoring work visas or relocation for this position.

What you will do

As an Associate Project Manager,you will:

• Have overall responsibility for project execution and provide project leadership to deliver project results.
• Secure project deliverables according to project agreement (contract) and act according to responsibilities in the project charter.
• Breakdown and plan the project into tasks and fulfil the plan and project milestones in time and in full according to budget.
• Manage scope changes and issue variation orders.
• Secure project communication and documentation according to the project communication plan.
• Provide lessons learned and input to improvement or development of processes and tools.
• Conduct and manage quotation development in conjunction with account managers and engineering teams for systems/modules.
• Participate in and present at project review board meetings.
• Continue your education in Project Management, including preparation for or maintenance of PMP certification.
• Execute according to Tetra Pak strategy and values.

We believe you have

We believe you have:

• Minimum 3 years of experience with engineering and/or managing projects.
• Experience with food processing and/or packaging equipment.
• Strong computer skills (proficiency with Microsoft Office; Microsoft Project; SAP; Basic AutoCAD Skills).
• Solid foundation in leadership skills and communication skills.
• Experience with budgeting, fiscal management, and project planning.
• Very good command of the written and spoken English language.
• Ideally knowledge of dairy, beverage, powder, and/or Aseptic processing and packaging.

Pay Equity

Tetra Pak provides the following compensation range that in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the positionacross all US locations. Ranges are determined by role, level and location. Within the range, individual pay is defined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education ortraining.
This compensation range is based on a full-time schedule. The estimate displayed is just one component of Tetra Pak's total compensation package for employees. Other rewards include annual performance bonus, competitive benefits,and work-related allowances.

• Annual Base Salary Range (ABS): $86,700 USD – $123,800 USD.
• Annual Base Salary Range (ABS): CAD 89,400 - 127,600
• Short-term Incentive/Bonus (Variable Pay): Eligible to performance incentive of 10% of ABS.
• Benefits: 401k company match, paid time off, paid holidays, Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, Paid parental leave and much more!

We Offer You

• A variety of exciting challenges with ample opportunities for development and training in a truly global landscape
• A culture that pioneers a spirit of innovation where our industry experts drive visible results
• An equal opportunity employment experience that values diversity and inclusion
• Market competitive compensation and benefits with flexible working arrangements

This job posting expires on September 14, 2026.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is an everyday part of how we work. We give people a place to belong and support to thrive, an environment where everyone can be comfortable being themselves and has equal opportunities to grow and succeed. We embrace difference, celebrate people for who they are, and for the diversity they bring that helps us better understand and connect with our customers and communities worldwide.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.