Plant Project Manager

Employment Type: Salaried Shift: Days Work Arrangement: Onsite Position Summary The Technical Project Manager is responsible for overseeing and leading technical projects within our manufacturing facilities in support of critical success factors: safety, quality, service, costs, employees, and customer experience. This individual will execute project design reviews, oversee line installations, infrastructure and equipment upgrades, new product introductions, and process optimization initiatives. They will lead teams in the day-to-day management of project safety, quality, schedule, cost control, risk mitigation, supplier/contractor support, and change management. They are members of plant leadership team and guide discussions on portfolio management and project prioritization. Major Duties and Responsibilities Management of Technical Projects in support of Site Master Plan Site Master Plan Development: Lead cross-functional teams to create a site master plan addressing future demand, capacity, infrastructure, equipment, material flows, automation, and technology. Prepare/Coordinate presentation materials for Senior Leadership, presenting strategy, ROI, and recommendations. Identify resources. Define timeline for execution. Project Design Reviews (PDR): Lead PDR. Gather requirements from cross-functional teams (Engineering, Operations, Safety, R&D, Packaging & others) to ensure clear & timely communication with OEMs. Project Charter & Team Management: Charter the project w/team, Establish the operating model, and Lead Core Team/Steer Co meetings. Define roles with RACI and DACI (Decision Makers), track milestones, manage critical path, and maintain RAID (Risks, Actions, Issues, Decisions). Site Master Plan Project Execution: Partner with Engineering and R&D to ensure OEMs have necessary inputs for design, FAT, and SAT. Manage contractor and supplier activities. Inform Commercialization and S&OP teams of downtime and manage forecast submittals and commercialization requests. Partner with Planning to manage prebuilds. Partner with team to establish/execute commission plan and CQV metrics and timing. Keep teams informed of progress. Plant Project Management Project Coordination: Manage multiple concurrent projects aligned with business goals, covering infrastructure, equipment, technology, new product launches, and initiatives enhancing critical success factors (safety, quality, service, cost, employees, customer experience, etc.). May be site-specific or cross-plant. Project Oversight: Oversee planning, execution, technical oversight, cross-functional collaboration, resource management, and performance tracking. Reporting & Escalation: Report to senior management and elevate issues as necessary. Portfolio Management and Process Improvement Portfolio Ownership: Manage plant project portfolio, facilitate prioritization and review meetings with leadership. Recommend project sequencing. KPI Monitoring: Monitor plant KPIs to identify opportunities for PMs to lead initiatives that enhance performance. Process Improvement: Lead process improvement initiatives to map current processes, identify gaps, establish future-state processes, RACI, training materials, change management and roll‑out. PMO Guidance: Provide coaching to the plant on handling lower‑complexity, non‑PMO‑led initiatives. Management of Commercialization Process Commercialization Management: Support the Operations Coordinator in overseeing the new product commercialization process, ensuring all requirements (ingredients, packaging, equipment, operations) are met for the target launch. Provide escalation support for the Operations Coordinator and HQ Project Team, and facilitate necessary follow‑ups at the plant. Education and Experience Required: 3+ years’ experience in the consumer products/food sectors and / or program manager with a proven record of successful commercialization, project and process management. In lieu of a degree, 5+ years of relevant experience is required. Preferred: Degree in Business Administration, Engineering or Industrial Engineering. PMP and LSS certification is a plus. Knowledge and Skills Proven working experience in project management, continuous improvement, or change management in the consumer products and food sectors. Solid technical background with understanding and/or hands‑on experience in new and existing product launches, capital projects, process and continuous improvement projects, infrastructure and operational IT projects. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong project management toolset (e.g.: MS Project or equivalent). Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi‑tasking skills. Why Join Us Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses. We make exclusive products for the world’s most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready‑to‑go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves. When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work. As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours. Career Growth & Compensation Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met) Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays Employee Appreciation Events and Employee Assistance Programs Physical Demands All jobs require sufficient physical strength and dexterity to perform the required task(s) and typically also require at a minimum: intermittent sitting, standing, walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, pushing, and pulling. Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds or more with assistance may also be required. Please see the job description for specific requirements. Work Environment Please see the job description for specific requirements of the position for which you are applying. Typical shifts are 8‑12 hours per day. Additional unscheduled time after hours and on weekends may also be required. Employees must be willing and able to wear personal protective equipment as required by Company policy and/or legal requirements. In addition, certain jobs may require employees to: Work outside and/or in adverse temperatures which could include extreme heat, cold, and humidity; Be exposed to vibrations, chemicals used in operations, fumes and food allergens (may include soy, dairy and other allergens); and Be required to work in confined and dark spaces, and at heights in excess of 18 feet. Diversity & Inclusion Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values. We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Equal Opportunity Employer Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr