Sr Project Engineer at U001 Kraft Heinz Food Company Company — Champaign, IL

## Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Execution

• Lead multiple approved capital projects simultaneously, including large and complex manufacturing projects
• Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, and execution plans
• Drive project execution from approved design through installation, commissioning, startup, and final handoff
• Monitor project performance and resolve barriers that impact safety, quality, cost, or timing
• Ensure project deliverables are completed with strong execution discipline and clear accountability

Engineering and Technical Delivery

• Lead preliminary and final design engineering activities for capital projects
• Oversee technical specifications, equipment selection, contractor coordination, and installation planning
• Provide on-site engineering support during construction, installation, testing, and startup
• Ensure assets are implemented in accordance with engineering, safety, quality, and operational standards
• Support troubleshooting and technical problem-solving during project execution

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with operations, maintenance, quality, safety, finance, procurement, and plant leadership to support project success
• Lead cross-functional communication, stakeholder alignment, and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle
• Establish and maintain project governance routines, status reporting, and escalation processes
• Coordinate project dependencies to ensure efficient implementation and readiness for startup

Risk, Controls, and Reporting

• Develop and maintain project estimates, forecasts, schedules, and status reporting
• Identify project risks and lead mitigation planning to protect project delivery
• Track project costs, timelines, and implementation progress against approved plans
• Ensure project documentation, reporting, and closeout activities are complete and accurate

Startup and Handoff

• Support trial runs, commissioning, startup readiness, and early operational stabilization
• Ensure action items and final action items are completed prior to project closeout
• Partner with plant teams to transition assets into operation successfully
• Capture lessons learned and applied them to future project execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required
• 3+ years of engineering and capital project experience in manufacturing, industrial, or consumer packaged goods environments
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple capital projects simultaneously
• Experience in project planning, design engineering, construction support, installation, commissioning, and startup
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and project leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams in a plant environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food and beverage or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
• Experience supporting large-scale capital projects in an operating plant environment
• Experience with project governance, risk management, and reporting routines
• PMP or similar project management certification preferred

Key Competencies

• Capital project execution
• Engineering leadership
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Project planning and controls
• Risk management
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Startup and commissioning discipline

Working Conditions

• Role is based on site in Holland, Michigan
• Frequent plant-floor presence required during active project phases
• Travel may be required on a limited basis to support project execution, vendors, or related site activity
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Safe and effective delivery of approved capital projects
• Achievement of project scope, schedule, and budget commitments
• Strong startup readiness and asset handoff execution
• Effective cross-functional leadership and stakeholder alignment
• Consistent project reporting, governance, and execution discipline

#INDMFGS

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$89,800.00 - $112,200.00

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Champaign Plant