Project Manager, Packaging Commercialization: Large Capital Projects

fairlife; Coopersville (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid Time Off

Parental leave

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

fairlife, LLC, a Chicago-based nutrition company, seeks a Project Manager Packaging Commercialization responsible for bringing packaging on large capital projects from pre-engineering to final acceptance. You will own commissioning of equipment and packaging materials, drive standardization, and ensure performance specs are met.

The role requires a BS in Engineering and 7+ years in packaging machinery or high-speed manufacturing, with hands-on FAT/SAT, aseptic validation, and strong project

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering with packaging machinery experience.
• Experience with high-speed beverage filling and aseptic validation.
• Proven track record in FAT/SAT, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Strong project management with cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Support pre-engineering with spec packets, samples, and validation formats.
• Assist design and OEM supplier selection for packaging materials and equipment.
• Qualify packaging material changes and vendor changes for large projects.
• Lead onsite packaging commissioning, trial planning, execution, and reporting.
• Lead onsite acceptance testing and ensure performance against terms.
• Coordinate documentation turnover and maintain material specs.

Skills

Packaging machinery

Project management

Lean/Six Sigma

Aseptic filling

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Job description

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com .

job purpose

The Project Manager Packaging Commercialization has accountability for successfully commercializing packaging associated with large capital projects. Responsibility extends from pre-engineering through final acceptance. This role will own commissioning of equipment and packaging materials on large capital projects. The Project Manager Packaging Commercialization will have strong experience in packaging materials and equipment to drive standardization, set up, performance specs, and acceptance of projects.

responsibilities

• Support pre-engineering phase with spec packet preparation, sample preparation, performance specs, and alignment on validation formats
• Support design phase in providing inputs to OEM selection, packaging supplier performance, and packaging supplier selection
• Support procurement in qualification of any packaging material changes, packaging vendor changes, lab equipment sourcing, and tools needed by Operations associated with large capital projects
• Support FAT plans to confirm packaging performance specs are being met, materials are onsite, and punch lists are closed out.
• Lead onsite packaging commissioning activities to include (pre trial meeting, trial plan, trial schedule coordination, trial execution, trial report, and post-trial action completion
• Lead onsite acceptance testing with clear communication on performance against contracted terms.
• Support documentation turnover and maintenance of dimensional specs, material specs, and performance specs
• Partner with other functions such as Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to pilot and transition ownership

skills/qualifications required

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering with 7+ years of experience packaging machinery, packaging materials, or high ‑ speed manufacturing environments
• Knowledge of aseptic and high speed beverage filling desired
• Experience leading FAT/SAT, equipment commissioning, aseptic validation, and mechanical qualification
• Strong project management capabilities with strong organizational skills
• Lean/Six Sigma background in developing centerlines, mistake proofing, and troubleshooting
• Experience collaborating with OEMs and suppliers to influence successful outcomes with equipment and packaging material performance

working conditions and physical requirements

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands, walks, and sits during completion of job responsibilities.
• Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. on an occasional basis.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced high demand production facilities and the ability to be able to perform those duties.

food safety requirements

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.
• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.
• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.

how fairlife nourishes you

At fairlife, we believe in better - and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

fairlife’s nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are - supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.

reports to

Director of Engineering, Packaging and Warehouse

travel requirements

up to 50%

salary range

$100,000 - $140,000

exempt/nonexempt

exempt

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range

$100,000 - $140,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [e-mail].

For Recruitment Agencies

At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.

As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.

Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.