Engineering Project Manager

Vaco Recruiter Services; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) match

HSA/FSA options

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Career development

Performance bonus

Job summary

Vaco/Highspring is seeking an Engineering Project Manager in the Greater Columbia area to oversee capital projects, drive reliability initiatives, and elevate plant performance across manufacturing facilities. This hands-on role requires seamless cross-functional collaboration with operations, maintenance, and vendors.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in engineering and project management within manufacturing, with a track record of capital project leadership valued at $250K+.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related).
• 7+ years in engineering and project management within manufacturing.
• 5+ years supporting food or beverage manufacturing operations.
• Capable of leading capital projects from concept to startup.
• Experience managing projects valued at $250K+ across multi-site facilities.
• Willing to travel up to 50-75% and work off-hours when needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects from feasibility through commissioning.
• Manage scope, budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships.
• Drive equipment reliability and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and present capital expenditure requests and updates.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance on sustainable solutions.
• Support preventative maintenance and asset reliability.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate contractors and third-party resources during execution.

Skills

Project management

Engineering leadership

Manufacturing operations

Stakeholder management

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

AutoCAD

Excel (Advanced)

Job description

Engineering Project Manager

Location: Greater Columbia, SC Area (Onsite) Compensation: $108,000 - $145,000 Base Salary + 15% Bonus Travel: Up to 50-75% (multi-site project support) Relocation Assistance Available

About the Opportunity

Our client is a leading North American food manufacturer with a nationwide footprint and a portfolio of well-known consumer brands enjoyed by millions each day. With significant capital investments underway across its manufacturing network, the organization is seeking an Engineering Project Manager to play a key role in driving facility modernization, equipment reliability, and operational excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing engineering team and make a lasting impact through high-visibility capital projects that support the future of the business.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Major capital investment initiatives already underway with substantial additional projects planned
• Opportunity to lead impactful projects from concept through execution
• Exposure to multiple manufacturing facilities across the U.S.
• Long-term career growth within a large, stable organization
• Ability to influence plant performance and help shape future engineering initiatives
• Collaborative environment that values ownership, innovation, and continuous improvement

Position Overview

The Engineering Project Manager will oversee capital engineering projects and reliability initiatives aimed at improving equipment performance, reducing downtime, and increasing operational efficiency across manufacturing operations.

This role requires a hands-on approach and strong cross-functional collaboration with operations, maintenance, vendors, and leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects from feasibility through commissioning
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships
• Drive equipment reliability and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and present capital expenditure requests and project updates
• Partner with operations and maintenance teams to implement sustainable engineering solutions
• Support preventative maintenance strategies and long-term asset reliability
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Coordinate contractors and third-party resources throughout project execution

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline)
• 7+ years of engineering and project management experience within manufacturing environments
• At least 5 years of experience supporting food or beverage manufacturing operations
• Proven success leading capital projects from concept through startup
• Experience managing projects valued at $250K+ within multi-line manufacturing facilities
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to travel up to 50-75%
• Flexibility to support projects during off-hours or weekends when required

Preferred Qualifications

• Food manufacturing experience, ideally within bakery operations
• Experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites
• SAP experience
• AutoCAD proficiency
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs/XLOOKUPs
• Experience supporting new product commercialization initiatives

Examples of Upcoming Projects

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to support a variety of capital improvement initiatives, including:

• Facility infrastructure upgrades
• Utility and wastewater system improvements
• Automated process enhancements
• Production line optimization projects
• New manufacturing equipment installations

Benefits Highlights

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Paid Holidays
• Generous Paid Time Off Program
• Career Development and Growth Opportunities
• Performance-Based Bonus Program

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.