Senior Project Manager (Manufacturing)

Overview

Our client is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead, grow, and strengthen our presence in the Food & Beverage (F&B) and Manufacturing sector. This leader will oversee large-scale engineering projects, deepen key client relationships, and drive strategic market expansion. The ideal candidate has a strong mix of technical expertise, business development acumen, and operational leadership within regulated manufacturing environments.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams through all phases of project delivery—from concept and design through construction, commissioning, and closeout.

• Manage complex project schedules, budgets, scopes, and deliverables to ensure alignment with client goals and organizational standards.

• Conduct risk assessments, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, and industry standards.

• Oversee quality control and ensure engineering solutions meet performance, reliability, and operational requirements.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for major F&B and manufacturing clients, ensuring a high-quality service experience.

• Build, maintain, and expand long-term client relationships by understanding operational challenges, strategic priorities, and capital planning needs.

• Facilitate clear communication among internal project teams, contractors, vendors, and external partners.

Business Development & Market Growth

• Identify and pursue new market opportunities to expand the firm’s presence in the F&B/manufacturing sector.

• Partner with senior leadership to develop market strategies, service offerings, and go-to-market plans.

• Support proposal development, client presentations, and competitive bid strategies.

• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving regulatory requirements to inform strategic direction.

Internal Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor and develop project engineers, project managers, and junior staff.

• Promote best practices in project management, technical excellence, and client service.

• Contribute to resource planning, team development, and capability-building initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, or related field). Master’s degree or MBA a plus.

• 10+ years of project management experience in engineering, design-build, EPC, or consulting environments.

• Proven experience delivering capital projects in the Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Pharmaceutical, or Process Manufacturing sectors.

• Strong understanding of F&B plant operations, sanitary design, processing systems, utilities, packaging lines, and automation.

• PMP, PE, or related professional certification preferred.

Technical & Professional Capabilities

• Ability to manage complex, multi-million-dollar projects with cross-functional engineering teams.

• Strong working knowledge of industry codes and standards (cGMP, HACCP, FDA, USDA, SQF, NFPA, ASME, etc.).

• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies—scheduling, cost control, risk management, change management.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated success influencing, leading, and collaborating across internal and external teams.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to spot opportunities and drive market growth.

• High degree of organization, attention to detail, and accountability.