Senior Project Engineering Manager

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

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a Senior Project Engineer for our Harrisonburg, VA site to own high-impact capital projects from idea to start-up ($50K–$5MM). This hands-on, high-visibility role modernizes liquids processing, aseptic systems, automation, and safety improvements to deliver day-one performance.

You will lead cross-functional teams across Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, HSE, Quality, and Maintenance, manage scope, budget, and schedule, and drive right-first-time execution with vendors and

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical or Chemical) from an 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 skills.
• 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 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

Communication

Technical writing

Stakeholder management

Industry experience

Education

B.S. in Engineering (Mechanical or Chemical) from ABET-accredited university

4+ years leading capital projects ($100K+) in manufacturing

Tools

CAD software

MS Word/PowerPoint/Excel/Project

Job description

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

As a Senior Project Engineer, you’ll own high-impact capital projects from idea to start-up ($50K–$5MM) across Kerry’s Stocks & Broths manufacturing network in Harrisonburg, VA. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role where you’ll modernize process and packing capabilities—spanning liquids processing, aseptic systems, automation, utilities, and safety improvements—and help turn great concepts into reliable, day-one performance. If you’re energized by building what’s next and seeing your work come to life on the plant floor, you’ll thrive here. This is an onsite position based at our Harrisonburg, VA manufacturing site.

Key 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.

Qualifications and skills

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

The typical base salary hiring range for this role is $88,100 to $144,800 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc. In addition to your pay, Kerry offers benefits such as a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

Kerry is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Kerry will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. Additional information can be found at: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (dol.gov).

We may use artificial intelligence tools to support the review and assessment of applications and assist with scheduling interviews. We do not use AI to make decisions during the interview process. All candidate assessments and hiring decisions are made by our recruitment and leadership teams

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project; familiarity with AI tools (Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar) is a plus.
• Familiarity with CAD software preferred.
• Technologies in use at this business-critical site include extraction, mixing, separations, clean-in-place systems, sanitary piping, valve clusters and more.