Senior Project Manager, Engineering

Job Description

Job Description

Are you known for exceeding expectations? Do you embrace the Spirit of Hawai‘i? Then please keep reading because we’re looking for people like you at Hawaiian Host Group.

Who are we? Hawaiian Host Group (HHG) is a leading Hawai‘i-based consumer goods company with a portfolio of brands that includes Hawaiian Host, Mauna Loa, MacFarms, and Kapua Orchards. Sold in over 23 countries, HHG produces a suite of products ranging from flavored macadamia nuts to premium treats. Our dedicated team of Hosts of Hawai‘i is spread across our headquarters in Honolulu and offices in Hilo, Kona, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. HHG has 3 manufacturing plants in Hawai'i, as well as the state's largest single macadamia farm.   

We are an excited team of people that all have one vision in common: sharing the Spirit of Hawai‘i with the world. Expect camaraderie, product tastings, and other (virtual and in-person) events that make our culture unique. And more importantly, know that your work contributes to our purpose; to make the Islands’ future flourish. We do this through our Takitani foundation that grants scholarships to deserving local students, our solar farm on the Big Island, and other social & environmental initiatives.

That’s enough about us for now, we’d love to learn more about you. Read the job description below and let us know if you’re interested. We can’t wait to meet you!

POSITION SUMMARY:

 

The Senior Project Manager, Engineering leads the Engineering function for the company’s food-grade CPG and nut harvesting/processing facilities, with responsibility for all capital projects, capital project management, managing contractors, and supporting facility packaging and processing equipment and facility utility infrastructure. This dynamic role works cross-functionally across the organization and indirectly supports maintenance reliability programs, maintenance strategy, and ensuring projects support human safety, production efficiency, quality, and regulatory compliance. This role partners closely with Operations, Quality, Safety, Supply Chain, and other functions to deliver throughput, cost, and continuous improvement objectives in large scale agricultural operations and a high-speed manufacturing environment. This role reports directly to the Senior Director Manufacturing. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Full responsibility to manage the annual capital plan from plan approvals, to oversight of all projects, to leading larger capital engineering projects. 

• Ensures project management is run effectively delivering projects on time, at or below cost, and succeeding in project deliverables while meeting overall organizational expectations. 

• Works closely with contractors and OEMs on new technologies, improved equipment performance, and drives overall equipment and manufacturing / processing engineering improvements.

• Supports and coaches functions as a technical resource for Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and all Agricultural Operations. 

• Implement and optimize processing and packaging lines for husking, drying, cracking, sorting, roasting, seasoning, enrobing, panning, packing, and other associated CPG operations, ensuring OEE and yield targets.​ 

• Support efficient us of plant utilities and infrastructure (steam, compressed air, refrigeration, water/wastewater, power) with focus on energy efficiency and Hawaii-specific cost/availability constraints in collaboration with Plant Manager and EHS. 

• Lead capital planning and execution (scoping, justification, vendor selection, installation, commissioning) for new equipment, expansions, and facility upgrades.​ 

• Tracks and manages cash flow on capital projects working with Accounting and Finance along with other key stakeholders.

• Leads with both a Value Engineering mindset and leverages lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles (5S, value stream mapping, SMED, line balancing, waste reduction) to improve line design throughput and reduce cost per pound.​ 

• Ensure engineering projects comply with OSHA, FDA/FSMA, USDA (if applicable), environmental regulations, and local/state of Hawaii codes and permitting.​ 

• Partner with Quality and Food Safety to ensure hygienic equipment, allergen control, sanitation-friendly layouts, and support root cause analysis for customer or regulatory issues.​ 

• Maintain plant layouts, drawings, and documentation; standardize work instructions and change control for process and equipment changes.​ 

• Possess a range of analytical and mechanical skills with a high tolerance for uncertainty in dynamic conditions.  

• Develop and manage departmental budget (labor, MRO, capital) and report performance via KPIs (downtime, OEE, MTBF, maintenance cost, energy use).​ 

• Prepare monthly reports for the business, including productivity metrics and budget costs, partnering with finance and accounting.

• Fulfill any additional duties or projects assigned, demonstrating flexibility and an initiative-taking approach to meeting organizational needs.  

• Adhere to Company policies and procedures in all duties, reflecting Company values in behavioral conduct both on-site and off.  

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related Engineering field; advanced degree or PE license preferred but not required. 

• 5+ years of project management in manufacturing/operations. Food, CPG, or nut/agribusiness processing experience strongly preferred. 

• Project Management certification is preferred but not required.

• Strong knowledge of lean/continuous improvement tools and reliability-centered maintenance practices. 

• Familiarity with food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMPs, FSMA, SQF/BRC or similar) and designing sanitary/hygienic equipment installations. 

• Experience managing capital projects from concept through commissioning, including vendor management and contractor oversight. 

• Strong leadership, communication, and change management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and work effectively in a multicultural Hawaii workforce. 

• Possession of a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle.  

• Must have strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.  

• Capacity to work with and relate to employees at all levels of the organization.  

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.  

• Competency in computer systems and software applications.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibration and will occasionally be required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Also, sitting for extended periods, often during meetings or computer work. 

• Maintains regular and punctual attendance. 

• Ability to work longer hours, including nights and weekends as needed. 

• Standing and walking during work, meetings, events, presentations, or while on facility visits.