Sr. Project Manager, Packaging: Large Capital Projects

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose:

The Sr. Project Manager has accountability for owning elements of the design, timeline, scope, budget, and vendor management for large, complex, or multi-location capital projects involving warehouse automation, packaging line installation, and capacity expansions. This role will ensure commercialization projects create efficiency, deliver capacity, and drive operational savings. Accountabilities include design, building construction modifications, installation, commissioning, validation, and optimization post go-live.

responsibilities: 

• Execute program-level strategies, schedules, and capital requirements for warehouse and packaging capital projects.
• Own critical elements of the capital project process for warehousing and packaging, including design reviews, timeline control, budget management, and stakeholder communications.
• Manage key warehousing and packaging equipment vendors to ensure adherence to contracts, effective collaboration with other workstreams, cost control, and quality of equipment / installation.
• Participate in equipment design reviews, factory acceptance testing, punch list creation, and close out
• Partner with other functions such as Operations, Quality, Safety, and Supply Chain to pilot and transition ownership of capital projects.
• Build mathematical models to support business cases, which drive decision making around sizing, throughput, financing, and future expansions.
• Support for the integration of PLCs, HMIs, process controls, labeling, and scanning hardware
• Support other project needs as required, including steering committee presentation development, local community outreach events (e.g., site tours, presentations, and information requests)
• Lead the design of key plant fit-out items, including visual displays, signage, PPE stations, 5S areas, and safety barriers.

skills/qualifications required: 

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering with 10+ years of experience packaging machinery, mechanical systems design, or high‑speed manufacturing environments
• Knowledge of aseptic and sanitary design standards with PMO and Dairy experience a plus
• Experience with utilities when required for project design execution
• Exceptional project management capabilities with strong cost management and forecasting knowledge.
• Knowledge of installation and construction standards.
• Recognized as a leader of people, particularly in non-reporting relationships
• Ability to manage extreme complexity and multiple workstreams

working conditions and physical requirements:

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: Stands, walks, and sits during completion of job responsibilities.
• Lifting/Carrying: Occasional lifting requirements as job demands. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. on an occasional basis.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced high demand production facilities and the ability to be able to perform those duties.

food safety requirements:

• Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety.

• Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color-coded container policy while in the Production Areas.
• Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company.
• Ability to initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system.
• Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.
• In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required.

how fairlife nourishes you:

At fairlife, we believe in better — and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

fairlife’s nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are — supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.

position location: Coopersville, MI

reports to: Director of Engineering, Packaging and Warehouse

travel requirements: up to 50%

exempt/nonexempt: exempt

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range:

$150,000—$185,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [email protected].

For Recruitment Agencies

At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.

As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.

Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.