Sr Process Project Manager (Food Manufacturing)

About the role

At Lactalis USA, part of the Lactalis family of companies, we are currently hiring a Senior Process Project Manager. This position can be located at one of our Yogurt Manufacturing Plants.

As a Senior Process Project Manager, you will lead and execute strategic capital investment and process improvement projects that enhance the design, performance, and reliability of our yogurt manufacturing operations. You will oversee projects from concept through full implementation, ensuring alignment with corporate standards, plant operational needs, and product quality expectations. The role includes driving process design, managing cross-functional project teams, supporting production and quality operations, and ensuring successful commissioning of new or upgraded yogurt processing systems. Additionally, you will collaborate with Lactalis USA Corporate team members, the Lactalis Group Corporate Engineering & Equipment Department, R&D, Quality, Finance, and Plant Engineering and Operations teams to align duties with the company's goals and values.

Responsibilities

• Define project objectives, deliverables, and performance criteria to support strategic business goals within yogurt manufacturing and processing.
• Conduct site assessments and feasibility studies to evaluate technical constraints, operational impacts, and cost–benefit considerations.
• Partner with key stakeholders at Corporate and Plant level—including Production, Quality, Planning, R&D, Finance, Safety, Maintenance, and Engineering—to obtain buy-ins and ensure project designs meet business, operational, and regulatory expectations.
• Develop complete project packages including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment layouts, scopes of work, cost estimates, timelines, ROI, and risk assessments required for capital project justification and submittal.
• Identify, evaluate, and prequalify suppliers, engineering firms, and equipment vendors aligned with corporate standards and yogurt processing technology requirements.
• Lead vendor negotiations to secure competitive quotations for capital assets, installation services, and engineering support.
• Prepare comparative analyses and recommendations for purchasing decisions and capital investment approvals.
• Lead end-to-end project management for yogurt process initiatives, from conceptual design through commissioning, ramp up, project closure, and handover.
• Maintain and distribute comprehensive project schedules, identify critical paths, implement mitigation initiatives, and propose acceleration plans to ensure all projects are completed in accordance with timelines in the Savings Plans and ROI calculations.
• Coordinate and facilitate project review meetings, develop and distribute meeting minutes, and escalate issues or risks to key stakeholders as required.
• Attend Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and commissioning activities to ensure equipment performance aligns with specifications and project objectives.
• Oversee installation, startup, and optimization of yogurt processing systems, resolving technical issues and ensuring seamless integration with existing operations.
• Ensure all projects comply with corporate engineering standards, environmental regulations, food safety requirements, and applicable industry codes.
• Promote continuous improvement and standardization of yogurt processing technologies across the global manufacturing network.
• Travel to domestic and international manufacturing sites, vendor locations, and corporate offices as necessary to support project planning, execution, and commissioning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Food, Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering is required.
• 8+ years working on Capital Expenditure, managing multi-million-dollar projects is required.
• Corporate or multi-site project management experience is preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in the Dairy, Beverage, or Liquid Food Manufacturing industry is required.
• 5+ years of experience in a USDA or FDA regulated industry is required.

Certifications and specific knowledge

• Project Management Professional certification is recommended.
• Knowledge of Capital Project Management tools (Project Initiation, Stage-gate, Risk Management, Cost Tracking, FAT/SAT protocol Development and Execution, Project Closure) is required.
• Knowledge of Contract Management and Vendor Management are required.
• Knowledge of Food Safety & Regulatory requirements (Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, Sanitary Design, 3-A Standards, cGMP, Microbiological control) is required.
• Understanding of Dairy Process unit operations (Separation, Standardization, Pasteurization, Homogenization, Fermentation, etc.) is required.
• Knowledge of Mass & Energy Balances and Process Modeling is required.
• Knowledge of Tank and Piping design (including agitation, heat transfer, hygienic fittings, pumps, valves) is required.
• Understanding of Production Lines, OEEs, Capacity & Saturation calculations, and integration with upstream process equipment is an asset.
• Understanding of process Automation & Controls (PLC, Scada, MES, Batch and Recipe management) is a plus.
• Knowledge of MS Office applications, MS Project, and AutoCAD is required.
• Knowledge of Excel pivot tables and macros is preferred.

Work Conditions

• Travel is required up to 50% monthly.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project needs.
• Tools such as a computer, phone, and/or allowance(s) will be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.
• This position requires physical presence in the office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy.