Senior Packaging Project Manager

Company: Lactalis USA
Location: Chicago
Posted on: June 2, 2025

Job Description:

DescriptionLactalis USA is currently seeking candidates to join our Engineering team in Chicago, IL.Lactalis, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to nurturing the future by providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. We produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together every day. We offer an enviable range of dairy brands including Galbani, President, Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Parmalat, Siggi's, and Stonyfield Organic in addition to several brands imported from our affiliates in Europe.At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a safe, diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and we know that our candidates come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we still encourage you to apply and share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE! You may be just the perfect candidate for this or other roles within our company.Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.From your PASSION to oursThe Sr. Packaging Project Manager is responsible for managing and leading projects related to the packaging of our Yogurt, cheeses and powder products, from design to full implementation and support the plant production and quality operations. Working with Operations, Research and Development, the Project Manager will be responsible for optimizing the various production systems, which directly and indirectly support the manufacturing process by implementing new process or modifying actual process. Will be involved with existing and new processes in the company.The position will be based in one of the main manufacturing sites Londonderry NH, Buffalo NY, Nampa ID, Tullare CA or in the corporate office located in Chicago Il.Travel will be required up to 50% of the time to plants based in NY, WI, CA, ID, NH, VT, AZ, TN & MI or to manufacturers/vendors site locations nationally and internationally.From your EXPERTISE to oursKey responsibilities for this position include:* Develop drawings, scopes of work, budgets and timelines as needed to prepare a project for submittal.* Source vendors, negotiate and acquire quotes for project investments.* Source, negotiate and acquire quotes for budgetary needs* Manage projects,* Track projects cost and maintain them within budget,* Coordinate project review meetings to include setting them up, keeping meeting notes, and reporting out results to key stakeholders.* Manage principles for the effective execution of projects,* Work cross-functionally to ensure projects meet the needs of all key stakeholders to include but not be limited to Quality, Food Safety, Planning, Operations, and Maintenance.* Attend Factory Acceptance Tests as required to validate equipment purchases.* Lead and assist in the development of the annual capital budget,* Travel and / or extended or off work hours may be required based on project needs,* This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.* To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.* Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities.RequirementsFrom your STORY to oursQualified applicants will contribute the following:Education & Experience* Bachelor's degree in mechanical or chemical engineering.Experience* 5+ years' experience working on capital expenditure projects as project manager,* Food Industry required,* Dairy process preferred,* Minimum of 3 years of USDA or FDA regulated plant experience supporting manufacturing and utilitiesSpecialized Knowledge* Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel skills; macros, pivot tables, AutoCAD (equipment & P&ID dwg)Skills / Abilities* Strong attention to detail* Ability to audit, investigate and improve packaging machinery,* Effectively communicate to internal and external customers,* Prioritization, organization, time management, and follow-up skills,* Continuous improvement mindset,* Ability to work with minimum of supervision,* Ability to travel to plant and machine manufacturers sites nationally and internationally.Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:Group Behavioral CompetenciesBehavioral Competencies:AMBITION* Performance: Challenging yourself and others in order to work efficiently and to deliver required business results* Continuous Improvement: Looking for ways to continuously improve quality, efficiency/effectiveness of the Group performance.* People Development: Identify areas for developing oneself and the othersENGAGEMENT* Entrepreneurship: Manage the business as if it were theirs.* Loyalty: Support positively and protect the Company* Tenacity: Overcome the obstacles* Accountability: Stand by one's commitment, deliver the results in a transparent manner.WITH SIMPLICITY* Accessibility: Ensure relationships based on accessibility, modesty and proximity* Pragmatism: Work in a practical and effective manner (with common sense)* Transparency: Act and communicate with clarity and transparency

Keywords: Lactalis USA, Downers Grove , Senior Packaging Project Manager, Executive , Chicago, Illinois