Engineering Project Manager

Engineering Project Manager Location: Greater Columbia, SC Area (Onsite) Compensation: $108,000 - $145,000 Base Salary + 15% Bonus Travel: Up to 50-75% (multi-site project support) Relocation Assistance Available About the Opportunity Our client is a leading North American food manufacturer with a nationwide footprint and a portfolio of well-known consumer brands enjoyed by millions each day. With significant capital investments underway across its manufacturing network, the organization is seeking an Engineering Project Manager to play a key role in driving facility modernization, equipment reliability, and operational excellence. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing engineering team and make a lasting impact through high-visibility capital projects that support the future of the business. Why This Opportunity Stands Out Major capital investment initiatives already underway with substantial additional projects planned Opportunity to lead impactful projects from concept through execution Exposure to multiple manufacturing facilities across the U.S. Long-term career growth within a large, stable organization Ability to influence plant performance and help shape future engineering initiatives Collaborative environment that values ownership, innovation, and continuous improvement Position Overview The Engineering Project Manager will oversee capital engineering projects and reliability initiatives aimed at improving equipment performance, reducing downtime, and increasing operational efficiency across manufacturing operations. This role requires a hands-on approach and strong cross-functional collaboration with operations, maintenance, vendors, and leadership teams. Key Responsibilities Lead capital projects from feasibility through commissioning Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships Drive equipment reliability and continuous improvement initiatives Develop and present capital expenditure requests and project updates Partner with operations and maintenance teams to implement sustainable engineering solutions Support preventative maintenance strategies and long-term asset reliability Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards Coordinate contractors and third-party resources throughout project execution Required Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related discipline) 7+ years of engineering and project management experience within manufacturing environments At least 5 years of experience supporting food or beverage manufacturing operations Proven success leading capital projects from concept through startup Experience managing projects valued at $250K+ within multi-line manufacturing facilities Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills Ability to travel up to 50-75% Flexibility to support projects during off-hours or weekends when required Preferred Qualifications Food manufacturing experience, ideally within bakery operations Experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites SAP experience AutoCAD proficiency Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUPs/XLOOKUPs Experience supporting new product commercialization initiatives Examples of Upcoming Projects The successful candidate will have the opportunity to support a variety of capital improvement initiatives, including: Facility infrastructure upgrades Utility and wastewater system improvements Automated process enhancements Production line optimization projects New manufacturing equipment installations Benefits Highlights Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage 401(k) with Company Match Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Options Company-Paid Life Insurance Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage Paid Holidays Generous Paid Time Off Program Career Development and Growth Opportunities Performance-Based Bonus Program Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. Representation Notice By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring's discussions with its Client, Highspring's understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly). Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.