Capex Engineer

Cerelia Bakery Canada LP•Hazelwood, MO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The CAPEX Engineer will lead and manage small to large-scale, complex engineering projects at our state-of-the-art food manufacturing plant and contribute to operational strategic development. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering principles, advanced project management skills, and thorough knowledge of food production processes. This role is critical for the development of both the team and the plant by ensuring that engineering projects, regardless of scale or complexity, are executed efficiently, meet rigorous quality standards, and align with the company’s strategic goals and plant success criteria. This strategic position will report directly to the COO of the Frozen Breakfast Business Unit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Food Engineering, or related field).
3+ years of experience in project and process engineering, including managing large and complex projects within food manufacturing or a related industry.
Solid understanding of industrial electrical systems, automation, mechanical systems, pneumatics, and fluid handling.
Experience interpreting P&IDs, electrical schematics, and mechanical drawings.
Proven ability to quickly learn new product-specific processes and lead engineering projects; strong knowledge of general manufacturing processes and technologies.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with food safety regulations and quality assurance standards is a plus (e.g., FDA, USDA, SQF, GMP).
PMP or equivalent project management certification is advantageous.
Proficient with project management software and engineering tools.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define comprehensive project scopes and develop accurate cost estimates.
Develop and manage detailed project timelines (Gantt charts), adapting to complex project requirements.
Lead and oversee large and complex projects, ensuring all technical, budgetary, and timeline objectives are met.
Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams and external contractors, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Upon successful project startup and operator training, hand over the project and provide ongoing support to the process owner during the transition.
Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet or exceed product quality expectations.
Develop, own, and actively manage detailed project schedules, with daily and weekly tracking to ensure alignment with business priorities; identify and escalate risks early, and implement recovery plans proactively.
Drive structured risk management, including change control and contingency planning, to minimize project disruptions and ensure timely decision-making.
Oversee procurement timelines, maintaining consistent follow-up with vendors to ensure on-time delivery of materials, equipment, and services in line with project milestones.
Hold suppliers and contractors accountable for scope, quality, safety, and schedule performance through proactive communication, contract enforcement, and strong field oversight.
Maintain a consistent on-site presence to ensure effective coordination between engineering plans and field execution, resolve issues in real time, and support team alignment.
Lead commissioning and startup efforts, providing hands-on troubleshooting and problem-solving support to ensure a smooth transition to operational ownership.