Senior Project Engineering Manager

Role Description

As a Senior Project Engineer Manager, you’ll own high-impact capital projects from idea to start-up ($50K–$15M) across Kerry’s Taste manufacturing network in North America. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role where you’ll modernize process manufacturing systems—spanning sanitary processing, aseptic systems, automation, bulk packing, facilities, utilities, and safety improvements—and help turn great concepts into reliable, day-one performance. If you’re energized by building what’s next and seeing your work come to life on the plant floor, you’ll thrive here.

This role can be remotely located with the following restrictions located in the eastern or central time zones, within a short commute to a major airport, travel ranging from 30-80% depending on project stage.

Key Responsibilities

• Own capital projects end-to-end—from concept and scope through design, installation, commissioning, and seamless handoff to Operations.
• Collaborate with up to 5 manufacturing plants across North America (4 in the eastern time zone and 1 in the pacific time zone) to deliver projects to address the critical priorities of the manufacturing network.
• Bring people together across Manufacturing, R&D, Finance, HSE, Quality, and Maintenance to define the need, align on priorities, and turn it into an executable plan.
• Build and drive scope, budget, and schedule—balancing speed, cost, and quality while clearing roadblocks and accelerating decisions.
• Create crisp engineering and capital-approval deliverables (charters, estimates, justifications, specifications) that set projects up for success.
• Lead vendors, contractors, and internal experts—coordinating procurement, construction, and installation to deliver right-first-time execution. Collaborate with partner engineering firms to develop and deliver project scope.
• Spot risk early and manage it proactively—ensuring safe execution and compliance with Kerry standards, OSHA/HSE requirements, and GMPs.
• Keep stakeholders aligned with clear updates, smart escalation, and change management that protects schedule, cost, and outcomes.
• Lead start-up and early equipment management to deliver stable, repeatable performance—and a confident ramp-up for the manufacturing teams.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical) from an ABET-accredited university.
• 4+ years leading capital projects ($100K+) in a manufacturing environment—project engineering and/or project management.
• Project management training or certification (e.g., PMP) is a plus.
• Clear, confident communicator with strong technical writing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience as a process engineer or plant engineer based at a manufacturing site.
• Manufacturing experience in food, beverages, consumer goods, chemical, or pharmaceutical environments preferred.
• Exposure to aseptic bulk packing equipment preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Project; familiarity with AI tools (Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar) is a plus.
• Familiarity with CAD software preferred.
• Technologies in use at these sites include spray drying, powder blending, liquids mixing, coffee roasting, distillation, reverse osmosis, clean-in-place systems, sanitary piping, valve clusters and more.

Requirements

• The typical hiring range for this role is $88,100 to $144,000 annually and is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, location, etc.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Incentive and recognition programs.
• Equity stock purchase and retirement contribution (all benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).