Sr. Packaging Project Manager

Lactalis LHD•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 Heritage Dairy , part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Sr. Packaging Project Manager based in Chicago, Illinois . The Sr. Packaging Project Manager is responsible for managing and leading projects related to the packaging of our Yogurt, cheeses and powder products, from design to full implementation and support the plant production and quality operations. Working with Operations, Research and Development, the Project Manager will be responsible for optimizing the various production systems, which directly and indirectly support the manufacturing process by implementing new process or modifying actual process. Will be involved with existing and new processes in the company. The position will be based in one of the main manufacturing sites Londonderry NH, Buffalo NY, Nampa ID, Tulare CA or in the corporate office located in Chicago Il. Travel will be required up to 50% of the time to plants based in NY, WI, CA, ID, NH, VT, AZ, TN & MI or to manufacturers/vendors site locations nationally and internationally.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering.
5+ years’ experience working on capital expenditure projects as a project manager.
Food Industry experience required.
Dairy process experience preferred.
Minimum of 3 years of USDA or FDA regulated plant experience supporting manufacturing and utilities.
Microsoft Office proficiency.
Advanced Excel skills (macros, pivot tables).
AutoCAD (equipment & P&ID dwg) proficiency.
Strong attention to detail.
Ability to audit, investigate and improve packaging machinery.
Effectively communicate to internal and external customers.
Prioritization, organization, time management, and follow-up skills.
Continuous improvement mindset.
Ability to work with minimum of supervision.
Ability to travel to plant and machine manufacturers sites nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities

Manage and lead projects related to the packaging of Yogurt, cheeses and powder products, from design to full implementation.
Support plant production and quality operations.
Optimize various production systems by implementing new processes or modifying actual processes.
Develop drawings, scopes of work, budgets and timelines for projects.
Source vendors, negotiate and acquire quotes for project investments and budgetary needs.
Track project costs and maintain them within budget.
Coordinate project review meetings, including setting them up, keeping meeting notes, and reporting out results.
Manage principles for the effective execution of projects.
Work cross-functionally to ensure projects meet the needs of 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.