Project Engineering Manager

Project Engineering Manager — Tar Heel, North Carolina

Transparent Search Group is conducting a retained search on behalf of a food manufacturing company based in Tar Heel, North Carolina. The organization is seeking an experienced Project Engineering Manager to lead capital and facility improvement projects within an active production environment. This is an on-site leadership role, and our client is prepared to offer relocation assistance to qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and oversee capital improvement and engineering projects from initiation through commissioning
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery
• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, and sanitation teams to minimize production disruptions during project work
• Lead and develop a team of project engineers and contractors across concurrent projects
• Ensure all projects comply with food safety regulations, GMP standards, and applicable building and safety codes
• Evaluate equipment and process upgrades to improve throughput, yield, and operational efficiency
• Manage relationships with external vendors, contractors, and engineering consultants
• Prepare project documentation including scope of work, capital appropriation requests, and post-project reviews

Qualifications

• Background in food manufacturing is required; experience in protein, rendering, or related processing environments is a plus
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple engineering projects simultaneously in a plant setting
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools
• Working knowledge of food safety standards including HACCP, USDA, and FDA requirements
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or a related engineering discipline preferred
• Ability to work in a production environment with exposure to standard food processing conditions

Why This Opportunity

This role offers the chance to take meaningful ownership of engineering initiatives within a stable, operationally focused food manufacturing company. The position carries real influence over how projects are structured and executed at the plant level. Our client is committed to supporting the right candidate through a relocation package. If you have a track record of delivering capital projects in a food manufacturing environment and are ready for a leadership role with broad scope, we encourage you to apply.