Senior Capital Projects Engineer - Food & Beverage

Kerry; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry in Harrisonburg, VA is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to own high‑impact capital projects from idea to start‑up across our Stocks & Broths network. This on‑site role modernizes liquids processing, aseptic systems, automation, utilities and safety improvements.

You will lead cross‑functional teams, manage scope, budget and schedule, and ensure compliant, safe execution with Kerry standards. This is a hands‑on, high‑visibility opportunity at a global leader in food and beverage.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical or Chemical) from ABET-accredited university.
• 4+ years leading capital projects ($100K+) in a manufacturing environment.
• Project management training or certification (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
• Clear, confident communicator with strong technical writing and stakeholder management.
• Manufacturing experience in food, beverages, consumer goods, chemical, or pharmaceutical environments preferred.
• Exposure to aseptic bulk packing equipment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own capital projects end-to-end—from concept and scope through design, installation, commissioning, and seamless handoff to Operations.
• Bring people together across Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, HSE, Quality, and Maintenance to define the need, align on priorities, and turn it into an executable plan.
• Build and drive scope, budget, and schedule—balancing speed, cost, and quality while clearing roadblocks and accelerating decisions.
• Create crisp engineering and capital‑approval deliverables (charters, estimates, justifications, specifications) that set projects up for success.
• Lead vendors, contractors, and internal experts—coordinating procurement, construction, and installation to deliver right‑first‑time execution.
• Spot risk early and manage it proactively—ensuring safe execution and compliance with Kerry standards, OSHA/HSE requirements, and GMPs.
• Keep stakeholders aligned with clear updates, smart escalation, and change management that protects schedule, cost, and outcomes.
• Lead start‑up and early equipment management to deliver stable, repeatable performance—and a confident ramp‑up for the manufacturing teams.

Skills

Capital projects mgmt

Communication

PMP certification

Industry experience

Aseptic packing

Leadership

Education

B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical or Chemical) ABET

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Kerry in Harrisonburg, VA is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to own high‑impact capital projects from idea to start‑up across our Stocks & Broths network. This on‑site role modernizes liquids processing, aseptic systems, automation, utilities and safety improvements.

You will lead cross‑functional teams, manage scope, budget and schedule, and ensure compliant, safe execution with Kerry standards. This is a hands‑on, high‑visibility opportunity at a global leader in food and beverage.