Senior Project Engineering Manager
About The Position
Kerry is hiring a Senior Project Engineering Manager to lead high-impact capital projects, ranging from $50,000 to $5 million, across its Stocks & Broths manufacturing network in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The role modernizes process and packing capabilities involving liquid processing, aseptic systems, automation, utilities, and safety improvements. The position is hands-on and high-visibility, owning projects from concept through start-up and supporting reliable performance and ramp-up for manufacturing teams. It is based onsite at Kerry’s Harrisonburg manufacturing site. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally with Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, HSE, Quality, and Maintenance, while coordinating vendors, contractors, and internal experts. They will develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, engineering deliverables, and capital approvals; manage project risks and compliance; and lead installation, commissioning, start-up, and handoff to Operations. Technologies at the site include extraction, mixing, separations, clean-in-place systems, sanitary piping, and valve clusters.
Requirements
- B.S. in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
- At least 4 years leading capital projects of $100,000 or more in a manufacturing environment, through project engineering and/or project management.
- Clear, confident communication skills, including strong technical writing and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project.
Nice To Haves
- Project management training or certification, such as PMP.
- Manufacturing experience in food, beverages, consumer goods, chemical, or pharmaceutical environments.
- Exposure to aseptic bulk packing equipment.
- Familiarity with CAD software.
- Familiarity with AI tools such as Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar.
Responsibilities
- Own capital projects from concept and scope through design, installation, commissioning, and handoff to Operations.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, HSE, Quality, and Maintenance to define project needs, align priorities, and create executable plans.
- Develop and manage project scope, budget, and schedule, balancing speed, cost, and quality while addressing roadblocks and accelerating decisions.
- Prepare engineering and capital-approval deliverables, including charters, estimates, justifications, and specifications.
- Lead vendors, contractors, and internal experts; coordinate procurement, construction, and installation.
- Identify and proactively manage risks, ensuring safe execution and compliance with Kerry standards, OSHA/HSE requirements, and GMPs.
- Keep stakeholders aligned through clear updates, escalation, and change management that protects project schedule, cost, and outcomes.
- Lead start-up and early equipment management to establish stable, repeatable performance and support manufacturing team ramp-up.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Incentive and recognition programs.
- Equity stock purchase.
- Retirement contribution.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
