Capital Projects Engineer Manager

Guided Search Partners; Temple (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Guided Search Partners is hiring a Senior Project Manager for Capital Projects based in Temple, PA. The role involves overseeing large-scale capital projects in food manufacturing, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.

The ideal candidate will have strong project management experience, particularly in regulated environments, and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. This position is crucial for supporting operational growth and delivering major investments.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project management experience.
• Direct experience in food manufacturing or CPG environments.
• Strong knowledge of process design and industrial construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital project execution from planning through completion.
• Manage projects through feasibility, engineering, budgeting, and construction.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and to specification.

Skills

Project management

Process design

Capital budgeting

Stakeholder communication

Construction management

Financial planning

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Guided Search Partners (GSP) Guided Search Partners is an Executive Search firm built on Trust, Transparency, Specialization, and Long-term Relationships. We connect high-performing professionals with organizations that value people, performance, and growth—helping leaders find roles where they can make an impact and build meaningful careers.

About the Opportunity

We’re partnering with a food manufacturing organization seeking a Senior Project Manager – Capital Projects in Temple, PA. This role will lead the execution of large-scale capital projects across food manufacturing operations, with responsibility for projects ranging from small to large-scale capital projects. The Senior Project Manager will oversee the full CAPEX program from concept and process design through construction, commissioning, and handover to operations. This is a strong fit for a project leader who understands engineering, process design, capital planning, contractor management, and cross-functional execution in a regulated food manufacturing environment.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead capital project execution from planning through completion, with a focus on safety, quality, budget, schedule, and operational readiness.

• Lead large-scale capital projects, including new facilities, expansions, major equipment installations, and process upgrades
• Manage projects through feasibility, engineering, budgeting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to specification
• Oversee process design, layout development, equipment selection, and integration
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Food Safety, and Maintenance
• Review and approve engineering deliverables, drawings, and technical specifications
• Develop project budgets, CAPEX justifications, and cash flow forecasts
• Track project spend, commitments, accruals, risks, and mitigation plans
• Improve PMO processes, standards, tools, templates, and governance
• Implement project controls for scope, schedule, cost, risk, and change management
• Create reporting structures for executive leadership
• Select, contract, and manage engineering firms, EPCs, and contractors
• Lead contract negotiations, scope development, and performance management
• Coordinate across Engineering, Operations, Finance, Procurement, Quality, and Safety
• Communicate project status, risks, and strategic implications to senior leadership
• Mentor and develop internal project resources as the PMO matures

Who You Are

You are an experienced capital projects leader who can manage both the technical and business side of large-scale project execution.

You understand process design, industrial construction, equipment integration, financial controls, and stakeholder communication. You are comfortable being the primary point of accountability for complex projects and can keep teams aligned from early planning through handover.

You would do well here if you are structured, hands-on, financially disciplined, and confident leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Preferred Experience & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, such as Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field
• 10+ years of project management experience
• Strong track record delivering large, complex CAPEX projects
• Direct experience in food manufacturing, food processing, or CPG environments
• Experience managing $50M+ capital budgets and multi-year project portfolios
• Strong knowledge of process design, industrial construction, and equipment integration
• Experience with PMO methodologies and implementing project management systems
• Experience managing external engineering and contractor firms
• Strong financial acumen, including cash flow planning and CAPEX forecasting
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced degree or PMP certification preferred
• Experience with USDA/FDA regulated facilities and sanitary design principles preferred
• Experience with produce packaging materials and systems preferred
• Greenfield and brownfield manufacturing project experience preferred
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, family-owned or entrepreneurial manufacturing environment

Why This Role Matters

This role is important because capital projects directly support operational growth, production capability, and long-term business performance. The Senior Project Manager will help deliver major investments with strong control over scope, schedule, cost, quality, and safety. This role will also help strengthen PMO structure, improve project reporting, and support better execution across the organization. For someone who enjoys owning complex projects from concept through completion, this is a meaningful opportunity to lead high-impact capital work in food manufacturing.