Location: Sioux City, IA | Schedule: Full-time, on-site
Overview
An established food manufacturing company is seeking a Project Manager - Construction to lead technical and operational projects within its production facility. This role blends engineering insight with hands-on project leadership, requiring someone who can independently manage priorities, coordinate cross-functional teams, and deliver results in a fast-moving production environment.
What you’ll do
- Establish project goals, deliverables, timelines, and success metrics aligned with operational needs
- Build and maintain project schedules, identifying risks early and adjusting plans proactively
- Coordinate activities across engineering, maintenance, production, and quality teams
- Facilitate structured project meetings and maintain clear, actionable documentation
- Resolve obstacles independently and elevate major risks with recommended solutions
- Ensure all regulatory, permitting, and compliance requirements are met and documented
- Support development of standardized processes for recurring project types
- Review engineering designs, contractor proposals, and installation plans for accuracy and compliance
- Conduct on-site inspections during construction, installation, and commissioning phases
- Assist with equipment selection and collaborate with vendors to verify technical specifications
- Ensure adherence to relevant codes, safety standards, and food‑manufacturing regulations such as GMP and HACCP
- Evaluate contract terms to ensure alignment with project needs
- Monitor spending against approved budgets and manage change orders appropriately
- Process vendor invoices and resolve discrepancies promptly
- Develop commissioning plans, SOPs, training materials, and validation protocols
- Coordinate with production and quality teams to ensure operational readiness
- Track and close out punch‑list items and formally transition completed projects to operations
- Maintain reliable attendance and perform essential job functions with or without accommodation
- Support additional duties as needed within the operations team
Required qualifications
- 3–5 years of project management experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting, with proven success delivering technical projects
- Strong foundation in manufacturing systems, mechanical or process engineering, and facility infrastructure
- Understanding of automated controls, production equipment, and plant utilities
- Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, or similar regulatory frameworks
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with project management tools
- Experience with ERP systems and basic procurement or accounting workflows
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and technical documentation
- Able to communicate effectively with engineers, contractors, and equipment suppliers
- Self‑directed and capable of managing multiple priorities independently
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Detail‑oriented with strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
- Skilled at influencing cross‑functional teams without direct authority
- Comfortable working under pressure in a dynamic manufacturing environment
- Ability to navigate production areas, climb ladders, and access elevated or confined equipment spaces
- Use of appropriate PPE in manufacturing and construction zones
- Flexibility to support off‑shift or weekend work during critical project phases
Preferred qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or related discipline) or Operations Management preferred
Why this role
This is an opportunity to independently lead technical and operational projects in a fast‑moving manufacturing environment, blending engineering insight with hands‑on project leadership to deliver results that matter to plant operations.