Sr. Project Manager, Packaging: Large Capital Projects

fairlife, LLC; Coopersville (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with up to 9% employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

fairlife, LLC is seeking a Sr. Project Manager for Packaging in Coopersville, Michigan. This role oversees large capital projects, including warehouse automation and packaging line installation, ensuring efficiency and operational savings. Candidates should have a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and over 10 years of experience in packaging machinery or high-speed manufacturing environments. The position offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 – $185,000 and a comprehensive benefits package with a 401(k) match and paid parental leave.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in packaging machinery and mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of aseptic and sanitary design standards.
• Exceptional project management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Execute program-level strategies and capital requirements for projects.
• Manage key vendors for adherence to contracts and collaboration.
• Build mathematical models to support business cases.

Skills

Packaging machinery experience

Mechanical systems design

Project management capabilities

Cost management knowledge

Construction standards knowledge

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Job description

Sr. Project Manager, Packaging: Large Capital Projects

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates dairy products. With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio includes lactose-free, real dairy products such as Fairlife Ultra-filtered Milk, Core Power High Protein Shakes, and Fairlife Nutrition Plan.

Job Purpose: The Sr. Project Manager owns elements of the design, timeline, scope, budget, and vendor management for large, complex, or multi-location capital projects involving warehouse automation, packaging line installation, and capacity expansions. The role ensures commercialization projects create efficiency, deliver capacity, and drive operational savings. Accountabilities include design, building construction modifications, installation, commissioning, validation, and post-go-live optimization.

Responsibilities

• Execute program-level strategies, schedules, and capital requirements for warehouse and packaging capital projects.
• Own critical elements of the capital project process for warehousing and packaging, including design reviews, timeline control, budget management, and stakeholder communications.
• Manage key warehousing and packaging equipment vendors to ensure adherence to contracts, effective collaboration with other workstreams, cost control, and quality of equipment/installation.
• Participate in equipment design reviews, factory acceptance testing, punch-list creation, and close out.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to pilot and transition ownership of capital projects.
• Build mathematical models to support business cases that drive decision making around sizing, throughput, financing, and future expansions.
• Support integration of PLCs, HMIs, process controls, labeling, and scanning hardware.
• Support other project needs including steering-committee presentation development and local community outreach events.
• Lead the design of key plant fit-out items such as visual displays, signage, PPE stations, 5S areas, and safety barriers.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering with 10+ years of experience in packaging machinery, mechanical systems design, or high-speed manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of aseptic and sanitary design standards; PMO and dairy experience is a plus.
• Experience with utilities as required for project design execution.
• Exceptional project management capabilities with strong cost management and forecasting knowledge.
• Knowledge of installation and construction standards.
• Recognized as a leader of people, particularly in non-reporting relationships.
• Ability to manage extreme complexity and multiple workstreams.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Sitting, standing, and walking during job responsibilities.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Work in a fast-paced high-demand production facility.

Food Safety Requirements

• Notify supervision of repairs or adjustments that may affect product quality or food safety.
• Follow color-coded container policy while in production areas.
• Meet Company, customer, and government requirements/standards.
• Prevent nonconformities relating to food safety and product quality.
• Identify and record any food safety or quality problems.
• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product until corrected.
• Delegate duties to a colleague during absence.

Benefits

At fairlife, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage from day one.
• Supplemental health plans including hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance.
• Paid time off to recharge and support work-life balance.
• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance (up to $10,000).
• Parental support and family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support.
• 401(k) with up to 9% employer match.
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses).
• Employee Assistance Program for emotional wellbeing and work-life support.
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability.
• Employer HSA funding for HDHP participants.
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month).
• Learning and development programs.
• Rewards and recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups.

Reports to: Director of Engineering, Packaging and Warehouse

Travel Requirements: up to 50%

Exempt/Nonexempt: Exempt

Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range: $150,000 – $185,000 USD

Fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [e-mail].