Packaging Project Manager

Judge Direct Placement; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement seeks a Packaging Project Manager for a food manufacturing client. The role focuses on leading capital and operational projects across multiple plants with 50% travel to sites in various states. Strong vendor negotiation and cross-functional coordination are essential.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering and have 5+ years on capital projects, plus 3+ years in USDA/FDA regulated environments and advanced Excel skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in mechanical or chemical engineering.
• 5+ years experience working on capital projects.
• Food industry experience required.
• 3+ years of USDA or FDA regulated plant experience required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and timelines.
• Identify and negotiate with vendors for competitive pricing.
• Lead multiple capital and operational projects from conception to completion.
• Monitor costs and ensure budgets are respected.
• Coordinate meetings and document decisions for stakeholders.
• Manage schedules, resources, risks, and deliverables across projects.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, and Supply Chain.
• Support testing and acceptance activities for equipment performance.
• Assist in capital expenditure planning and budgeting.
• Prepare status reports for leadership.
• Travel to plants and occasional off-hours work may be required.
• Perform other duties and special projects.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or chemical engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Judge Direct Placement is seeking a Packaging Project Manager for a food manufacturing client. They will be responsible for managing and leading projects within multiple manufacturing plants.

This role will require 50% travel to multiple plants based in NY, WI, CA, ID, NH, VT, AZ, TN & MI.

Responsibilities

• Develop project scopes, drawings, budgets, schedules, and timelines to support project planning and execution.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with vendors to obtain competitive pricing and services.
• Manage multiple capital and operational projects from conception through completion.
• Monitor project costs and ensure projects remain within approved budgets.
• Coordinate project meetings, document key decisions, and communicate updates to stakeholders.
• Drive effective project execution by managing schedules, resources, risks, and deliverables.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Quality, Food Safety, Maintenance, and Supply Chain, to ensure project success.
• Participate in equipment testing and acceptance activities to verify performance and requirements are met.
• Support the development and management of annual capital expenditure plans and budgets.
• Prepare project reports and provide regular status updates to leadership.
• Travel and occasional off-hours work may be required based on project demands.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in mechanical or chemical engineering
• 5+ years experience working on capital projects
• Food industry experience required
• 3+ years of USDA or FDA regulated plant experience required
• Microsoft Office skills required including advanced Excel skills