Senior Project Manager

GEA Group; Janesville (WI); Hybrid; USD 101,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

GEA is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead large-scale, technically complex projects in the UK & Ireland cluster. You will drive end-to-end delivery from quotation through commissioning, coordinating across multiple departments and entities.

You will own the project’s financial performance, stakeholder relationships and risk management, with travel to Ireland or other European locations as required. An Engineering background and 10+ years in project management are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering or engineering qualification/experience.
• Minimum 10 years' project management experience on large, complex projects.
• Proven record delivering projects above €10 million in value.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across departments and entities.
• Industry exposure in chemical, dairy, food or beverage sectors.
• Strong knowledge of project management methods; commercial and contractual skills.
• International project management experience and cross-cultural collaboration.
• Fluent English (written and spoken); travel to Ireland/Europe as needed.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end delivery of large, complex technical projects (>€10m) from quotation to commissioning and handover.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across different departments, companies and entities.
• Own project financial performance including budgets, margins, contracts, and change orders.
• Develop and monitor schedules, resource plans and progress against milestones.
• Manage key stakeholders and provide regular updates to senior management and customers.
• Identify, mitigate risks and resolve complex contractual issues to protect value.
• Coordinate procurement, fabrication, installation and subcontractor performance.
• Ensure health, safety and quality standards are met during site activities and commissioning.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Risk management

Negotiation

Multinational teams

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Job description

GEA is one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Our portfolio includes machinery and plants as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. Guided by a strong sense of purpose, our more than 18,000 dedicated employees work to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of production processes globally.

Your responsibilities and tasks

We are looking for an experienced and commercially focused Senior Project Manager to join our UK & Ireland Cluster Project Management team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead large-scale, technically complex projects valued in excess of €10 million, taking overall responsibility from initial quotation through to commissioning, customer handover and project close-out. You will lead multidisciplinary teams across different GEA departments, companies and entities, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. With responsibility for commercial performance, stakeholder relationships and project delivery, you will play a key role in achieving successful outcomes for both GEA and our customers.

This is a UK-based role within our wider UK & Ireland Cluster, with occasional travel to Ireland or other European locations as required by business and project needs.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Project Delivery: Lead and manage large, complex technical projects, typically valued above €10 million, from initial quotation through to commissioning, customer handover and project close-out, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, budget, quality and schedule.
• Project Leadership: Establish and lead multidisciplinary project teams across different departments, companies and entities, providing clear direction, fostering collaboration and driving accountability, often without direct line management responsibility.
• Financial and Commercial Management: Take overall responsibility for project financial performance, including budgets, costs, margins, contractual obligations, claims, change orders and commercial negotiations.
• Project Planning and Control: Develop and monitor project schedules, resource requirements, man-hour estimates and progress, ensuring activities align with GEA standards, procedures and customer expectations.
• Stakeholder and Customer Management: Build and maintain strong customer relationships, manage complex internal and external stakeholders, and provide regular project updates to senior management, steering committees and customers.
• Risk and Issue Management: Identify and mitigate project risks, proactively resolve complex challenges and manage contractual issues or disputes to protect project outcomes.
• Procurement and Contractor Management: Work closely with Supply Chain teams to coordinate procurement, fabrication and component deliveries, while overseeing installation RFQs, contractor selection and contractor performance.
• Installation, Safety and Commissioning: Oversee site activities through the Site Manager, ensuring health and safety requirements are maintained, and support customer meetings, commissioning and verification of agreed performance KPIs.
• Continuous Improvement: Promote a culture of ownership, high performance and continuous improvement, capturing lessons learned and applying best practices to future projects.

Your profile and qualifications

• A degree in Engineering Or engineering associated qualification/ experience
• Project Management Experience: A minimum of 10 years' experience in Project Management roles is essential, with direct responsibility for managing and delivering large, complex technical projects.
• Large-Scale Project Delivery: Proven experience managing projects valued above €10 million, with accountability for project execution, financial performance and successful delivery.
• Project Team Leadership: Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary project teams across multiple internal companies, departments or entities, including teams without direct reporting lines.
• Industry Experience: Relevant project experience within at least one of the following sectors: chemical, dairy, food or beverage.
• Technical and Commercial Expertise: Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, with proven experience in commercial and contractual project management, including negotiations and dispute resolution.
• International Experience: Experience managing multinational projects, working across cultures and building effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Communication and Flexibility: Fluent written and spoken English, with the flexibility to undertake occasional travel to Ireland or other European locations as business needs require.

Desirable Qualifications

• PMI certification or an equivalent recognised project management qualification.
• Additional language skills.

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to inspire, motivate and influence multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Commercial Awareness: Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to identify risks, recognise opportunities and maximise project value.
• Problem-Solving: A proactive, solutions-focused approach to resolving complex challenges and making effective decisions.
• Communication and Stakeholder Management: Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Results-Driven: A commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes, driving team performance and continuous improvement.

About GEA

GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 60 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success – come and join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

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