Senior Engineering Manager

Mars; Franklin (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Senior Engineering Manager in Franklin, TN to lead a high-performing engineering team and manage significant capital project portfolios. The role focuses on ensuring project delivery aligns with business goals, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and budget management.

The ideal candidate will have 7-12 years of engineering experience, a bachelor's degree in engineering, and skills in project management. Strong leadership and financial acumen are essential. This is an exciting opportunity to drive engineering excellence within a global leader in the pet food industry.

Qualifications

• 7-12+ years of engineering experience, including capital project management.
• Proven experience managing capital budgets in the range of $10 MM–$50 MM annually.
• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, supply chain, or operations environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee execution of $30 MM annual capital project portfolio.
• Develop and manage multi-year capital plans.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead project justification and manage vendor selection.

Skills

Project management

Financial acumen

Leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree or MBA

Tools

Project management systems

ERP platforms

Job description

Company Overview

Champion Petfoods is an award‑winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN and ACANA brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions.

Role Summary

The Senior Engineering Manager leads a small, high‑performing engineering team (3 direct reports) while managing approximately $30 MM in annual capital expenditures. The role focuses on planning, execution, and delivery of capital projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives, operational efficiency, safety, and financial targets.

Typical Day – Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, and oversee execution of $30 MM annual capital project portfolio.
• Develop and manage multi‑year capital plans aligned with company OGSM and operational needs.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Lead project justification, including ROI analysis, cost estimation, and risk assessments.
• Manage vendor selection, contractor performance, and contract negotiations.
• Drive rigorous project governance, including milestone tracking, reporting, and issue resolution.

Engineering & Technical Oversight

• Provide technical direction and review for project designs, specifications, and execution plans.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and safety guidelines.
• Oversee design reviews, risk assessments, and commissioning activities.
• Drive standardization, best practices, and engineering excellence across projects.

Financial & Budget Management

• Develop and manage capital budgets, forecasts, and expenditure tracking.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting and variance analysis.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and improve capital efficiency.
• Partner with finance to develop business cases and ensure financial discipline.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with operations, supply chain, finance, and other stakeholders to define project requirements and priorities.
• Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes to leadership.
• Align capital investments with operational strategies and long‑term growth plans.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Implement best practices in project management (stage‑gate processes, lean principles).
• Drive lessons learned and knowledge sharing across projects.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field required).
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

Experience

• 7‑12+ years of engineering experience, including capital project management.
• Proven experience managing capital budgets in the range of $10 MM–$50 MM annually.
• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, supply chain, or operations environments preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Financial acumen and experience building capital justifications.
• Leadership and team development capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands‑on execution.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Familiarity with engineering design tools, project management systems, and ERP platforms.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Capital project delivery (schedule, cost, scope).
• Return on investment (ROI) for capital projects.
• Budget adherence and forecasting accuracy.
• Team performance and engagement.
• Safety and compliance performance.
• Continuous improvement and cost savings achieved.

Work Environment