Engineering Project Manager

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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 American Group, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring an Engineering Project Manager based in Buffalo, NY.

Job Summary

The Engineering Project Manager is responsible for managing and directing capital engineering projects of varying size and scope throughout the project life cycle from concept to completion. This includes scope development, cost estimate preparation, facility layout & design, engineering and design of process equipment, specifications, procurement, as well as overseeing project installation and commissioning. The role focuses on ensuring the technical and engineering integrity of projects, driving innovation and efficiency in design and execution. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Capital Budget Management: Collaborate with facility staff to develop and submit capital appropriation requests for management approval, ensuring alignment with engineering standards and objectives.
• Project Engineering and Management: Lead the development of project scopes, preliminary budgets, detailed cost estimates, equipment specifications, drawings, and bid documents. Manage engineering projects with internal and external resources to ensure they meet engineering requirements, quality standards, and are delivered on time and within budget.
• Design and Development Oversight: Ensure that project designs meet all engineering criteria and deliver project objectives effectively and efficiently. Oversee the creation of detailed engineering documents including studies, calculations, drawings, plans and specifications.
• Vendor Coordination: Work with equipment vendors to obtain and evaluate competitive proposals. Prepare purchase requisitions, review project-related engineering documentation for code compliance, and schedule equipment deliveries to meet project timelines.
• Compliance and Standards: Ensure that all equipment and construction adhere to relevant safety, quality, and regulatory standards, including FDA, BRC, OSHA, and EPA requirements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with Finance, Operations, R&D, IT, Quality, Sanitation, Health & Safety, Legal, and other departments to integrate engineering solutions into broader company initiatives.
• Field Installation and Commissioning: Oversee contractors and manage the field installation of processing systems. Ensure that equipment and workmanship meet or exceed project requirements, prepare reports, and manage change orders from start-up through commissioning.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct Factory Acceptance Tests or Pre-Delivery Inspections at suppliers' sites as needed. Coordinate equipment start-up, commissioning, and training to ensure optimal performance.
• Safety Leadership: Promote and support safety protocols for contractors and team members on all projects.
• Flexibility: Be available for travel and extended or off-hours work as required by project demands.
• Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned by management, ensuring they align with the engineering focus of the role.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Majors in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or other relevant engineering majors is preferred.

Experience

• 4+ years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications and specific knowledge

• Proficient using Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience using AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, SEE, and MS Project would be a plus.

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.