Senior Project Engineer

Denali is a growing ingredient supplier. We believe in fast-paced fun, continually developing new products for today’s dynamic consumer preferences. We stay well-connected to the industry we serve through our R&D, sales, and marketing efforts. Denali brings innovation forward to customers, and we collaboratively innovate with our customers for new custom products.

To stay relevant in the world of change, we are committed to investments in our facilities, equipment, engineering advancements, and in our employees. While products are our focus, our passion is for our Denali team members, as they define who we are. Driving this passion is our company’s guiding principles that express our purpose, culture, mission, and vision for our team members and customers.

The Senior Project Engineer will be self-sufficient in leading and executing Capex projects within a food manufacturing environment, including brownfield expansion, growth initiatives, and manufacturing optimization. This role requires strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to manage cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, within scope, and budget.

Ensure Workplace Safety:

• Actively demonstrate and drive behaviors that result in zero accidents and injuries to demonstrate that the safety of our employees is the most important asset that are under our care.? ?
• Own and Lead the planning, execution, and oversight of projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards.

Manufacturing Improvements:

• Drive Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC) projects through process optimization, equipment upgrades, automation and current technology.

Business Case Management:

• Develop project business cases with the stakeholders and SMEs and manage throughout the stage gate project process.
• Present business case to the organization for input and approvals.

Project Management:

• Use project management tools to define scope/requirements, develop schedules and budgets, track progress, mitigate risk, and assure project quality and deliverables.
• Provide excellent communication to stakeholders regarding project status.
• Own the selection and management of external partners, ensuring adherence to specifications, costs and timelines.

Cross-Functional Team Leadership:

• Manage internal project teams and external consultants, contractors, and suppliers.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, safety, R&D, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure seamless project integration.
• Lead with a “can-do attitude” while promoting a collaborative work environment.
• Respectfully challenge the status quo and offer options to ineffective methods.
• Establish and exhibit a humble servant-leadership approach, ready to contribute to company success from boots on the ground support to executing major strategic initiatives.
• Leadership that demonstrates results regardless of task size.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related discipline).

Experience:

• Minimum 8+ years of project management experience within food manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Proven track record executing Capex projects up to $20M.
• Experience managing external consultants and contractors.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and tools (MS Project, stage-gate, charter, SOW, risk matrix, etc.).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced environments.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory compliance.

• PMP, equivalent certification or proven experience.
• Experience with facility master planning and managing brownfield and/or greenfield projects.
• Familiarity with FAT/SAT protocols, commissioning processes and performance guarantees.
• Experience with PLCs, robotics, and automated packaging systems within the food industry.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Expertise
• Leadership & Team Development
• Results Orientation