Sr. Process Engineer (Cheese, RSPC, and Powder Project Manager)

Lactalis American Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Sr. Process Project Manager to lead capital projects in cheese and powder manufacturing. This role involves optimizing production systems, managing project budgets, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and safety standards are met. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management within the food industry, particularly in dairy processes. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about continuous improvement, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a leading dairy company. Join a team committed to innovation and excellence!

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in capital expenditure projects as a project manager.
• Food industry experience required, with a preference for dairy process.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead projects related to cheese and powder product manufacturing.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, and timelines for successful implementation.

Skills

Project Management

Attention to Detail

Communication Skills

Time Management

Continuous Improvement Mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Advanced Excel

AutoCAD

Job description

Description

Lactalis USA is currently seeking candidates to join our USA Engineering, Energy, and Environmental team in Chicago, IL.

Lactalis, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to nurturing the future by providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. We produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together every day. We offer an enviable range of dairy brands including Galbani, Président, Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Parmalat, Siggi’s, and Stonyfield Organic in addition to several brands imported from our affiliates in Europe.

At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a safe, diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and we know that our candidates come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we still encourage you to apply and share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE! You may be just the perfect candidate for this or other roles within our company.

From your PASSION to ours

The Sr. Process RSPC, Cheese & Powder Project Manager is responsible for managing and leading projects related to the RSPC’s areas and the process manufacturing of our cheeses and powder products, from design to full implementation and supporting the plant production and quality operations. Working with Operations, Research and Development, the Project Manager will be responsible for optimizing the various production systems, which directly and indirectly support the manufacturing process by implementing new processes or modifying actual processes. Will be involved with existing and new processes in the company.

Travel will be required up to 50% of the time to plants based in NY, WI, CA, ID, NH, VT, AZ, TN & MI or to manufacturers/vendors site locations nationally and internationally.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

1. Develop drawings, scopes of work, budgets and timelines as needed to prepare a project for submittal.
2. Source vendors, negotiate and acquire quotes for project investments.
3. Manage projects.
4. Track projects cost and maintain them within budget.
5. Coordinate project review meetings to include setting them up, keeping meeting notes, and reporting out results to key stakeholders.
6. Manage principles for the effective execution of projects.
7. Work cross-functionally to ensure projects meet the needs of all key stakeholders including but not limited to Quality, Food Safety, Planning, Operations, and Maintenance.
8. Attend Factory Acceptance Tests as required to validate equipment purchases.
9. Lead and assist in the development of the annual capital budget.
10. Travel and/or extended or off work hours may be required based on project needs.
11. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
12. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering.

Experience

• 5+ years’ experience working on capital expenditure projects as project manager,
• Food Industry required,
• Dairy process preferred,
• Minimum of 5 years of USDA or FDA regulated plant experience supporting manufacturing and utilities.

Specialized Knowledge

• Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel skills; macros, pivot tables, AutoCAD (equipment & P&ID dwg).

Skills / Abilities

• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to audit, investigate and improve manufacturing process machinery.
• Effectively communicate to internal and external customers.
• Prioritization, organization, time management, and follow-up skills.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to travel to plant and machine manufacturers sites nationally and internationally.