Project Manager, Operations Management

Project Manager - Capital Projects About Actalent Services

Actalent Services delivers engineering, technical, and project-based solutions to leading organizations across manufacturing, life sciences, consumer products, and industrial markets. Our teams partner with clients to solve complex operational and engineering challenges through dedicated project delivery and technical expertise.

We are currently seeking a Project Manager to support a major capital investment initiative within a food manufacturing environment.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a high-visibility project from concept development through construction execution and startup.

Position Overview

The Project Manager will lead approximately $8M-$10M of a larger $25M manufacturing capital project focused on modernizing a critical cocoa bean processing area. This initiative includes evaluating and implementing solutions related to material handling systems, process equipment, conveyor systems, and aging infrastructure within a constrained production environment.

This individual will serve as the central point of coordination between operations, engineering, external design firms, contractors, and project stakeholders throughout all phases of the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities Project Development & Planning

+ Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and equipment.

+ Lead retrofit versus replacement assessments for production systems.

+ Develop project scope, budget, schedule, and execution strategies.

+ Facilitate cross-functional collaboration with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams.

+ Support business case development and capital project justification.

Engineering & Design Management

+ Coordinate and manage third-party engineering and design partners.

+ Lead conceptual design reviews, feasibility studies, and detailed engineering efforts.

+ Ensure technical solutions meet operational, safety, and production requirements.

+ Drive stakeholder alignment on preferred project solutions.

Project Controls

+ Manage project budgets, schedules, risks, and change control processes.

+ Track progress against key milestones and deliverables.

+ Ensure engineering deliverables are complete and construction-ready.

+ Support contractor bidding and procurement activities.

Construction & Execution

+ Transition projects from design into construction.

+ Coordinate contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders during execution.

+ Support site safety, permitting, and construction readiness activities.

+ Monitor installation quality, schedule adherence, and project performance.

+ Assist with startup, commissioning, and project closeout activities.

Stakeholder Communication

+ Present technical concepts and recommendations to operational leadership.

+ Provide project updates to management and cross-functional teams.

+ Translate engineering information into clear business-focused recommendations.

Required Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.

+ Experience managing manufacturing capital projects from concept through execution.

+ Experience developing and managing project scope, budgets, and schedules.

+ Experience working with external engineering firms, consultants, and contractors.

+ Experience supporting equipment upgrades, plant modernization efforts, or process improvements.

+ Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

+ Ability to work effectively within an operating manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Food & Beverage manufacturing experience.

+ Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturing experience.

+ Pharmaceutical manufacturing experience.

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Experience with material handling or conveyor systems.

+ Brownfield facility project experience.

+ PMP certification.

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Experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera, or similar project scheduling tools.

Key Skills

+ Capital Project Management

+ Manufacturing Engineering Projects

+ Contractor & Consultant Management

+ Scope Development

+ Budget Management

+ Project Scheduling

+ Construction Oversight

+ Manufacturing Process Improvement

+ Risk Management

+ Cross-Functional Leadership

Why Join Actalent Services?

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