Strategic Project Engineering Manager - Food Mfg

Job Title: Strategic Project Engineering Manager

Location: NC or VA

Salary: $125K – 155K plus bonus

Job Summary of the Strategic Project Engineering Manager: Looking to hire a Strategic Project Engineering Manager who is passionate about technology and innovation in industrial equipment automation. The Strategic Project Manager will play a key role in driving cutting-edge automation projects for the meat processing industry. This Manager will collaborate closely with business partners and cross-functional teams to understand automation needs and translate them into innovative solutions. As a trusted authority in project management with equipment automation, this role tackles the most complex challenges, turning visionary concepts into reality.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Strategic Project Engineering Manager:

• Responsible for developing preliminary designs and specifications for engineering and materials, while also preparing project cost estimates.
• Conduct research, feasibility studies, and economic studies to ensure the design is both viable and cost-effective.
• Determine design criteria based on required standards and codes, and validate field work, creating as-built drawings to document the final outcome.
• Review and check engineering projects for accuracy and soundness, and manage project execution by guiding vendors and contractors.
• Coordinate project schedules with plant personnel, vendors, and contractors, ensuring alignment with management and engineering teams to successfully implement plans.
• Coordinate and provide direction to equipment vendors to plan layouts, ensure utility requirements are met, and maintain installation schedules.
• Review work products submitted by consultants, offering recommendations for adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, including equipment manuals, mechanical and electrical drawings, parts lists, specifications, and vendor/service contact information, ensuring all project details are properly organized and accessible.
• Conduct engineering planning, design, and operational reviews during pre-project studies to assess feasibility and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Determine the scope of work, prepare requests for proposals, and evaluate the proposals received to select the best approach.
• Submit detailed reports to management by established deadlines, keeping them informed on progress and key project developments.
• Responsible for contract administration, including reviewing bid packages to ensure compliance and completeness.
• Prepare essential project documents, such as justifications, budget analyses, calculations, plans, and schedules, to guide project execution.
• Monitor installations to ensure that proposal specifications and budgets are met, and you manage assigned budget activities to maintain financial control and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Continuously improve upon robotic and controls knowledge to execute innovative solutions

• Education & Experience Requirements of the Strategic Project Engineering Manager:
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, or related field, and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 2+ years’ experience in a position of leadership, including team development and management, is required.
• Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
• Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.
• Lay out and design experience
• Experience managing a multi-million dollar budget.
• Must possess Project Management skills; Contract Administration skills; National codes and standards interpretation skills.
• Proficient in engineering economics.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software and Word processing software, other Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

• Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry.
• Previous experience in the management of multi-million dollar projects with large scopes.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.