Senior Engineering Manager

Summary

The Senior Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a small, high-performing engineering team (3 direct reports) while managing approximately $30MM in annual capital expenditures. This role focuses on planning, execution, and delivery of capital projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives, operational efficiency, safety, and financial targets.

What a Typical Day Looks Like

• Plan, prioritize, and oversee execution of ~$30MM annual capital project portfolio.
• Develop and manage multi-year capital plans aligned with company OGSM and operational needs.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Lead project justification, including ROI analysis, cost estimation, and risk assessments.
• Manage vendor selection, contractor performance, and contract negotiations.
• Drive rigorous project governance, including milestone tracking, reporting, and issue resolution.

Engineering & Technical Oversight

• Provide technical direction and review for project designs, specifications, and execution plans.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and safety guidelines.
• Oversee design reviews, risk assessments, and commissioning activities.
• Drive standardization, best practices, and engineering excellence across projects.

Financial & Budget Management

• Develop and manage capital budgets, forecasts, and expenditure tracking.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting and variance analysis.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and improve capital efficiency.
• Partner with finance to develop business cases and ensure financial discipline.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with operations, supply chain, finance, and other stakeholders to define project requirements and priorities.
• Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes to leadership.
• Align capital investments with operational strategies and long-term growth plans.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Implement best practices in project management (e.g., stage-gate processes, lean principles).
• Drive lessons learned and knowledge sharing across projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field required)
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred
• 7–12+ years of engineering experience, including capital project management
• Proven experience managing capital budgets in the range of $10MM–$50MM annually
• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, supply chain, or operations environments preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Financial acumen and experience building capital justifications
• Leadership and team development capabilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Familiarity with engineering design tools, project management systems, and ERP platforms

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Capital project delivery (schedule, cost, scope)
• Return on investment (ROI) for capital projects
• Budget adherence and forecasting accuracy
• Team performance and engagement
• Safety and compliance performance
• Continuous improvement and cost savings achieved

Work Environment

Mix of office and on-site project environments

May require periodic travel to project sites (35-45%)

Benefits

• Competitive Wages
• 401k with Company
• Donation matching
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs
• In House & Online Learning & Development
• Education Assistance Program
• Quality: a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere
• Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month
• Free Parking