Capex Engineer

US Waffle Company, Inc.; Hazelwood (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

US Waffle Company, Inc. in Hazelwood, MO is seeking a Capex Engineer to lead capital projects for a state‑of‑the‑art food manufacturing facility. This full‑time role reports to the VP of Operations and focuses on delivering high‑quality plant improvements on schedule and within budget.

The candidate will manage scopes, timelines, supplier accountability, and startup support, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and plant success criteria. On-site work is required at the Hazelwood facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Food Engineering, or related field).
• 3+ years of experience in project and process engineering, including managing large and complex projects in manufacturing.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations (FDA, USDA, SQF, GMP) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define project scopes with cross‑functional teams and develop cost estimates.
• Develop and manage detailed project timelines and Gantt charts.
• Lead large, complex projects meeting technical, budgetary, and timeline objectives.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams and external contractors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Attend startups and provide ongoing support during transition to operations.

Skills

High accountability

Cross-functional collaboration

Project leadership

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Project management software

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Capex Engineer

POSITION STATUS: Full-Time, Permanent

LOCATION: Hazelwood, MO

DEPARTMENT: Operations

REPORT TO: VP of Operations

Position Profile

Cérélia's newly established Frozen Breakfast Business Unit – US Waffle - is driving an ambitious growth strategy, backed by two manufacturing facilities, Liberty, SC, and Hazelwood, MO. To effectively support the rapid scaling of operations at our state-of-the‑art Hazelwood facility, US Waffle is seeking a dynamic and skilled Capex Engineer to join our team in Hazelwood, MO.

The Capex Engineer will lead and manage small to large‑scale, complex engineering projects at our state‑of‑the‑art food manufacturing plant and contribute to operational strategic development. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering principles, advanced project management skills, and thorough knowledge of food production processes.

This role is critical for the development of both the team and the plant by ensuring that engineering projects, regardless of scale or complexity, are executed efficiently, meet rigorous quality standards, and align with the company’s strategic goals and plant success criteria.

This strategic position will report directly to the VP of Operations of the Hazelwood Frozen Breakfast Business Unit.

This role is critical for the development of both the team and the plant by ensuring that engineering projects, regardless of scale or complexity, are executed efficiently, meet rigorous quality standards, and align with the company’s strategic goals and plant success criteria.

This strategic position will report directly to the VP of Operations of the Hazelwood Frozen Breakfast Business Unit.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define comprehensive project scopes and develop accurate cost estimates.
• Develop and manage detailed project timelines (Gantt charts), adapting to complex project requirements.
• Lead and oversee large and complex projects, ensuring all technical, budgetary, and timeline objectives are met.
• Lead and coordinate cross‑functional project teams and external contractors, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Upon successful project startup and operator training, hand over the project and provide ongoing support to the process owner during the transition.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet or exceed product quality expectations.
• Develop, own, and actively manage detailed project schedules, with daily and weekly tracking to ensure alignment with business priorities; identify and elevate risks early, and implement recovery plans proactively.
• Drive structured risk management, including change control and contingency planning, to minimize project disruptions and ensure timely decision‑making.
• Oversee procurement timelines, maintaining consistent follow‑up with vendors to ensure on‑time delivery of materials, equipment, and services in line with project milestones.
• Hold suppliers and contractors accountable for scope, quality, safety, and schedule performance through proactive communication, contract enforcement, and strong field oversight.
• Maintain a consistent on‑site presence to ensure effective coordination between engineering plans and field execution, resolve issues in real time, and support team alignment.
• Lead commissioning and startup efforts, providing hands‑on troubleshooting and problem‑solving support to ensure a smooth transition to operational ownership.

Core Competencies

• Drive High Performance: Establishes clear accountability for outcomes. Demonstrates focus and discipline in planning and execution. Acts with speed, agility and demonstrates a sense of urgency to keep momentum.
• Collaborate: Builds and maintains strong relationships and makes commitments to others and follows through. Actively listens and communicates openly. Engages constructively in debates. Supports and executes decisions once made.
• Can‑do attitude: Demonstrates a positive, solution‑focused approach, actively seeks out opportunities to improve processes, and readily tackles challenges with resilience and enthusiasm. Thrives in dynamic environments and is motivated by delivering impactful results.
• Innovate: Challenges the status quo by pro‑actively identifying opportunities for improvement. Encourages sharing best practices, creativity, and experimentation; learns from setbacks and adapts quickly.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Exhibits precision and thoroughness, consistently producing reliable work. Demonstrates diligence in reviewing data, identifying discrepancies promptly, and ensuring adherence to high standards of quality and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Food Engineering, or related field).
• 3+ years of experience in project and process engineering, including managing large and complex projects within food manufacturing or a related industry.
• Solid understanding of industrial electrical systems, automation, mechanical systems, pneumatics, and fluid handling.
• Experience interpreting P&IDs, electrical schematics, and mechanical drawings.
• Proven ability to quickly learn new product‑specific processes and lead engineering projects; strong knowledge of general manufacturing processes and technologies.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and quality assurance standards is a plus (e.g., FDA, USDA, SQF, GMP).
• PMP or equivalent project management certification is advantageous.
• Proficient with project management software and engineering tools.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This is a Full Time, permanent position
• Exempt position 40 hours per week, and it may require working additional hours depending on business need requirements.
• This is an on‑site position and not a candidate for remote work.