Utilities & Environmental Project Manager

Lactalis USA; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable benefits

Training and development opportunities

Paid Time Off from day one

Retirement plan contributions

Job summary

Lactalis USA is hiring a Utilities & Environmental Project Engineer in Buffalo, NY. This role leads utility and environmental projects, ensuring compliance with local regulations and optimizing production processes.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in engineering, 5+ years of project management experience, and expertise in heating and cooling systems. We offer generous benefits, including comprehensive insurance and professional growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working on capital expenditure projects as project manager in manufacturing.
• Expertise in heating, cooling & air systems.
• Knowledge of regulatory agencies requirements (OSHA, DEQ, PSM, PHA).

Responsibilities

• Lead projects for optimizing Utilities and WWPT systems.
• Perform audits of the manufacturing plants.
• Source vendors and negotiate project investments.
• Track project costs and maintain budgets.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Continuous improvement mindset

Ability to work with minimum supervision

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Advanced Excel

AutoCAD

Job description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award‑winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go‑Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis USA, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Utilities & Environmental Project Engineer based in Nampa, ID, or Buffalo, NY.

The Utilities and Environmental Project Manager is responsible for leading projects related to the Utilities and WWPT of all our plants, from design to full implementation and support the plant operations and ensure it meets the local regulatory requirements. Working with Operations and Maintenance, the Utilities and Environmental Project Manager will be responsible for optimizing the various Utility and WWPT systems, which directly and indirectly support the manufacturing process by implementing new processes or modifying existing processes. Will be involved with existing and new processes in the company.

Key Responsibilities For This Position Include

• Perform audits of the manufacturing plants for the utility areas and Wastewater Treatment Plants
• Inventories all equipment with all their specifications
• Survey the plant utility & WWPT needs
• Evaluate installed systems capacity versus needs
• Develop drawings, scopes of work, budgets and timelines as needed to prepare a project for submittal
• Source vendors, negotiate and acquire quotes for project investments
• Lead projects
• Track projects cost and maintain them within budget
• Coordinate project review meetings to include setting them up, keeping meeting notes, and reporting out results to key stakeholders
• Manage principles for the effective execution of projects
• Work cross-functionally to ensure projects meet the needs of all key stakeholders to include but not be limited to Quality, Food Safety, Planning, Operations, and Maintenance
• Attend Factory Acceptance Tests as required to validate equipment purchases
• Lead and assist in the development of the annual capital budget
• Travel and/or extended or off work hours may be required based on project needs
• This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned

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
• Manufacturing Industry required, Food preferred
• Heating, cooling & air systems expertise requiredOptimization of above systems
• Energy saving project
• Carbon footprint reduction

Specialized Knowledge

• Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel skills; macros, pivot tables, AutoCAD (equipment & P&ID dwg)
• Regulatory agencies requirements (OSHA, DEQ, PSM, PHA)

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

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an affirmative action employer will comply with all related legal obligations.