Capital Projects Lead – Sustainable Food Manufacturing
Listed on 2026-10-30
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Engineering
Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineering, Regulatory Compliance Specialist, Operations Management -
Manufacturing / Production
Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineering, Regulatory Compliance Specialist, Operations Management
Are you passionate about sustainable food production and eager to make a tangible impact in the organic dairy industry?
Straus Family Creamery is dedicated to producing high-quality organic dairy products while maintaining the highest standards of sustainability and innovation. We are seeking a dynamic and skilled Capital Projects Manager to join our team in leading and managing capital projects from conception to completion.
We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment, a competitive salary and benefits package, and the chance to be part of a mission-driven company making a difference!
REPORTING: Director Maintenance & Engineering
FSLA: Exempt
HOURS: Full-time
JOB OBJECTIVE: The Capital Projects Manager supports capital and operational projects in a food manufacturing environment, including equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, process improvement, and project handoff. This role creates structure around project scope, schedule, budget, communication, documentation, risk management, and cross-functional coordination. The Capital Projects Manager leads through influence without direct authority, ensuring stakeholders are aligned, decisions are made, risks are raised early, and commitments are followed through to completion.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Capital Projects & Equipment Installation
- Lead projects involving the selection, procurement, installation, and startup of new equipment.
- Develop scopes of work, manage RFQs, and coordinate vendor activities including site access, utilities, and commissioning.
- Ensure new equipment meets design, safety, and performance specifications and integrates seamlessly with existing operations.
Process Support & Validation
- Define and document production processes, equipment parameters, and operating requirements.
- Support process review, testing, validation, and data analysis needed to confirm project readiness and performance.
Product & Process Project Support
- Partner with R&D, Quality, and Operations on new product, process change, or equipment-related project work.
- Assist in the design and setup of manufacturing lines to accommodate new product requirements.
- Ensure manufacturability, regulatory compliance (GMP, HACCP), and process control considerations are addressed during project planning and execution.
Project Management & Documentation
- Establish and maintain project plans that define scope, schedule, budget, responsibilities, risks, dependencies, action items, and decisions.
- Create an effective communication cadence and proactively share status, risks, decisions, changes, and next steps with stakeholders and leadership.
- Lead cross-functional project teams by clarifying owners, responsibilities, commitments, due dates, and follow-through expectations.
- Identify project risks, conflicts, and resource constraints early and drive timely resolution or escalation.
- Maintain organized project documentation, including drawings, specifications, RFQs, purchase documentation, meeting notes, approvals, commissioning records, training materials, and turnover packages.
- Develop repeatable project-management processes and improve standards for capital project execution.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Coordination
- Coordinate and influence Maintenance, Quality, Safety, Production, R&D, Supply Chain, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders to keep project work aligned and moving forward.
- Drive accountability without direct authority by aligning stakeholders, resolving barriers, and ensuring commitments are completed.
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure all projects adhere to safety, environmental, and food regulatory standards (e.g., OSHA, FDA, USDA, NOP)
- Conduct risk assessments and implement corrective actions as needed during project execution.
- Participate in equipment safety validations and operator training before handover to production.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
- 5-10 years’ experience in manufacturing environment, preferably in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG).
- Experience managing capital projects from conception through commissioning.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
- Ability to review and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation required. Experience with AutoCAD or Solid Works, preferred.
- Knowledge of food safety standards (GMP, HACCP), sanitary equipment design, and regulatory compliance, preferred.
- Ability to communicate in Spanish,…
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