Project Engineer

PepsiCo; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program (12% of annual salary)

Paid time off

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

PepsiCo Supply Chain is seeking an experienced Mechanical Project Manager to lead engineering efforts in packaging, processing, milling and material handling. You will design and oversee mechanical systems, evaluate feasibility, and ensure safety and GMP compliance across food manufacturing facilities.

The role requires 5+ years in project management and 5–7 years in mechanical design, with travel 5–10%. Join a team driving lean manufacturing, safety, and cost management in a global brand

Qualifications

• B.S. Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Equivalent.
• 5 years of Project Management experience.
• 5 to 7 years of mechanical engineering design experience.
• Experience with design, maintainability, and operation of dust collection systems, pneumatic conveying, grain milling and bulk material handling.
• Strong understanding of plant facilities such as roofing, air compressors, sprinkler systems, natural gas, and steam.
• Experience with packaging and processing equipment including mixing, scaling, primary packaging, secondary packaging, case packing, conveying, palletizing, metal detection, check weighing.
• Knowledge of Combustible Food Ingredients (CFI) risk mediation and reduction and general Dust Risk Mitigation (DRM) hazard analysis and mediation.
• Familiar with GMP, Quality, Food Safety, and Sanitation principles.
• Understanding of applying Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) considerations into design and execution of projects.
• Familiar with basics of finance, product cost accounting, statistical process control, and Total Productive Manufacturing (TPM).
• Fundamental background with PLCs and process controls.
• Familiar with principles of building and utilities technologies.
• Familiar with the application of operation and maintenance principles in all work assignments.
• Travel 5-10%.
• The position will be filled at L7, L8 or L9 depending on the candidates’ current level within the SCL Career Model.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned projects through concept, design, installation, commissioning and qualification.
• Develop cost, lead-time, and downtime estimates for projects.
• Prepare project approval documentation with cost, cash flow and justification.
• Manage and control project costs to stay within budget.
• Supervise plant labor, contractors, and service personnel for project completion.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting to the plant.
• Ensure maintenance and operator training for new equipment is implemented.
• Lead safety-focused project work with proper permits and OSHA standards.

Skills

Leadership

People skills

Communication skills

Project management

Education

B.S. Engineering (Mechanical)

Tools

PLCs

Process controls

Job description

Overview

We are PepsiCo Supply Chain. We are the game changers, innovators, collaborators and history makers. The ground breakers of the Supply Chain & Logistics space.

We are a diverse group, spread across 200 countries and territories, and united by a shared set of values and goals. You know our name through our amazing portfolio, including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Quaker and Gatorade.

We perform with a purpose. We dream globally and act locally, constantly innovating to sustain our planet, our people, our communities and our business practices. Together, we raise the bar in lean manufacturing practices. We put forth new standards and stretch to reach beyond the goals we set.

We are a think tank, bringing our ideas into action and are determined to find ways to drive efficiencies, improve processes and achieve the highest level of safety… all while meeting the demands of our customers and consumers to deliver the best products. At PepsiCo, we are committed to performing well as individuals and in teams, and to strengthen the company as a whole.

Are you hungry to be a part of the world’s largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands? Then now is the time to explore the Possibilities of PepsiCo.

Responsibilities

Perform engineering activities required to analyze, design, plan, coordinate and lead assigned projects in packaging, processing, milling and material handling to assure customer satisfaction and meet targeted performance, expectations, timetables, and spending limits.

• Prepare engineering specifications for assigned projects, which include equipment layout, process flow diagrams, controls requirements, power and utility requirements, equipment design and capacity, and oversee the preparation of all necessary drawings.
• Design and implement mechanical systems in manufacturing environment
• Lead the design and development of mechanical systems and components for packaging and processing equipment in Food Manufacturing facility
• Conduct research and analysis to determine the feasibility of proposed mechanical designs.
• Evaluate effectiveness of existing mechanical systems and processes
• Troubleshoot and resolve any mechanical issues that arise during the design, development, and testing stages for processing and packaging equipment
• Develop and conduct Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) procedures on Processing and Packaging equipment .
• Participate in development of projects including Productivity, infrastructure, and Maintenance projects
• Prepare cost, lead-time, and downtime estimates for assigned projects and cost studies.
• Prepare project approval documentation for new products and systems. This includes well written justification, cost estimates, cash flow timing, financial justification form, and presentation deck.
• Manage and control project costs and spend timing to ensure projects are completed within budget.
• Lead assigned projects using the Early Management process through concept, design, installation, commissioning and qualification to meet specified scope and project objectives.
• Lead projects with focus on safety by ensuring all permitting requirements are met, including hot work, permit to work, work at height, crane lift, and that project meets OSHA standards when applicable.
• Obtain the necessary environmental and building permits as needed.
• Ensure project meets key quality requirements such as sanitary design, GMP, hygienic zoning.
• Specify, bid, select, and purchase all equipment and contract installation services for assigned projects, ensuring project meets installation schedules, costs, and design criteria.
• Supervise work conducted by plant labor, contractors, and service personnel to assure efficient coordination and completion of assigned projects as scheduled.
• Provide troubleshooting, problem analysis, and technical support to the plant as required.
• Ensure the implementation of maintenance and operator training for new equipment and systems installed on assigned projects.
• Keep abreast of new technological developments through professional study and review, and initiate uses within the plant.
• Manage multiple projects of varying complexity and varying priorities at the same time.
• Manage small to intermediate and complex projects and annual project budgets up to $5.0MM.
• Advise and coach co-workers in areas of experience and in general matters, including food safety.
• Suggest innovative and creative new and improved methods.
• Take initiative and provide leadership on all work assignments.

Compensation and Benefits:

• The expected compensation range for this position is between $93,500 - $156,450.
• Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
• Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 12% of annual salary paid out annually.
• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications

• B.S. Engineering Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Equivalent
• 5 years of Project Management experience
• 5 to 7 years of mechanical engineering design experience
• Experience with design, maintainability, and operation of dust collection systems, pneumatic conveying, grain milling and bulk material handling.
• Strong understanding of plant facilities such as roofing, air compressors, sprinkler systems, natural gas, and steam.
• Experience with packaging and processing equipment including mixing, scaling, primary packaging, secondary packaging, case packing, conveying, palletizing, metal detection, check weighing.
• Knowledge of Combustible Food Ingredients (CFI) risk mediation and reduction and general Dust Risk Mitigation (DRM) hazard analysis and mediation.
• Familiar with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Quality, Food Safety, and Sanitation principles.
• Understanding of applying Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) considerations into design and execution of projects..
• Familiar with basics of finance, product cost accounting, statistical process control, and Total Productive Manufacturing (TPM).
• Fundamental background with PLC’s and process controls.
• Familiar with principles of building and utilities technologies.
• Familiar with the application of operation and maintenance principles in all work assignments.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to deliver results.
• Exceptional “people skills”, oral and written communication skills. Strong motivational skills.
• High degree of commitment to the “team” approach to managing projects and/or solving manufacturing problems using Early Management Tools and Processes.
• Travel 5-10%.
• The position will be filled at L7, L8 or L9 depending on the candidates’ current level within the SCL Career Model.

Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / AgeIf you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.