Engineering Project Manager

Emmi Roth•Stoughton, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

At Emmi Roth, we’re passionate about creating exceptional cheeses. As a leader in the specialty cheese industry, we blend traditional craftsmanship with innovation. Our commitment to local sourcing and quality makes us a trusted brand in the food industry. Joining Emmi Roth means becoming part of a team that values creativity, collaboration, and a shared dedication to excellence. You’ll have the opportunity to work with some of the finest cheeses in the world while contributing to a company that prides itself on both heritage and progress. If you're passionate about food, craftsmanship, and making an impact, we’d love for you to be a part of our journey! Job Summary The Project Engineering Manager is responsible for planning, leading, and executing the CAPEX portfolio, including capital and process improvement projects, across our Wisconsin cheese manufacturing and conversion operations. This role oversees engineering strategy, project management, contractor relationships, and cross-functional coordination to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of major initiatives. The manager ensures that all projects support operational goals, regulatory compliance, food safety standards, and long-term business strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a technical field.
Demonstrated experience managing capital projects ($25K–$5M+).
Demonstrated CAPEX Portfolio management experience.
Proven leadership experience managing teams or cross-functional project groups.
Strong knowledge of OSHA safety standards, food safety regulations, and environmental requirements.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of engineering experience in food manufacturing, dairy, or related process industries.
Strong understanding of sanitary design principles, CIP systems, and processing equipment common in cheese production.
Experience in cheese manufacturing or dairy processing (cheese vats, pasteurization, brine systems, whey handling, slicing/shredding/packaging lines).
PMP, PE license, or Six Sigma certification.
Experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MS Project, or similar engineering tools.
Experience managing capital planning cycles and long-term equipment strategies.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, development, and execution of capital projects, from concept through commissioning and handoff to operations.
Create and manage project scopes, timelines, budgets, and risk assessments for multiple simultaneous initiatives.
Oversee site engineering project portfolio for both manufacturing (cheese production) and conversion (cutting, shredding, packaging).
Ensure all projects follow robust project management methodologies, including stage-gate approvals and change control processes.
Ensure engineering oversight on equipment design, plant layout, utilities, process controls, and automation in dairy environments.
Lead collaboration with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Safety teams to evaluate and optimize plant performance through engineering improvements.
Ensure standardization of engineering specifications, drawings, and documentation across facilities.
Ensure systems meet FDA, USDA, 3-A Sanitary Standards, environmental, and internal food safety requirements.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with engineering firms, OEMs, contractors, and other external partners.
Lead contractor selection working with Procurement, bid processes, negotiation, and performance management.
Ensure all contractors comply with plant safety protocols and food safety expectations.
Supervise and mentor project engineers, technicians, contractors, or cross-functional project teams.
Lead cross-functional project meetings, providing clear communication, updates, and escalation when needed.
Build strong partnerships with plant leaders across Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and Supply Chain.
Support long-term site engineering strategies including capacity planning, facility expansions, and infrastructure upgrades.
Ensure engineering designs support food safety, quality, and regulatory standards specific to dairy manufacturing.
Partner with EHS to ensure safe work practices during construction and equipment installation.
Maintain accurate records, drawings, compliance documentation, and project closeout materials.