Engineering Project Manager II

Date: Jul 22, 2026

Location: Hiram, OH, US, 44234-1806

Company: Great Lakes Cheese

Job Overview

The Engineering Project Manager II is responsible for supporting capital projects across the enterprise and providing technical knowledge to drive continuous improvement initiatives. This role will coordinate projects from ideation and concept development through the exploration of options, application of critical thinking, and successful execution of capital installations and ramp-ups. The Engineering Project Manager II will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success and contribute to the overall operational excellence of the company.

Job Responsibilities

  • Manage capital projects from concept through install, startup and hand off to production.
  • Manage contractors on assigned projects.
  • Develop short range and long-range capital plans for multiple facilities.
  • Address emerging issues from suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors, managing changes with minimal disruption to project objectives.
  • Provide technical knowledge for investigation and resolution of process/packaging deviations, development and interpretation of data trending.
  • Create and modify line layouts and support plant design requests and layout changes.
  • Work collaboratively with shop floor system team and plant employees by facilitating root-cause investigations, identifying cost savings opportunities, and improving efficiencies.
  • Serve as a technical resource during regulatory inspections and other interactions with regulatory agencies.
  • Support process technology transfer from OEMs to GLC teams, process validation and the preparation of documentation.
  • Lead cross-functional teams on new product start-ups or other process changes.
  • Coordinate department activities to modify existing designs, improve production techniques, and develop test procedures.
  • Resolve problems using solutions that involve new techniques, technologies, or concepts.
  • Analyze technology trends, human resource needs, and market demand to plan projects.
  • Collaborate with management, production, and marketing teams to assess engineering feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and customer demand for new and existing products.
  • Inform management of new developments which may affect profit, schedule, costs, customer relations, and/or inter-departmental relations.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of new technologies which may improve operations, and develop recommendations accordingly.
  • Capital Project Management:
    • Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop success criteria.
    • Project >$100k will need to be competitively bid, develop the bid list.
    • Preparation of the RFP:
      • Create a clear statement of work.
      • Outline the project success criteria for timeline, start up, throughput, quality, etc.
      • Provide process flow diagram or appropriate info to vendors with the RFP.
      • Confirm the RFP has current T&C doc and FAT expectations.
    • Review the submitted responses to the RFP and prepare a bid tab on the budgetary side and on the technical comparisons of each vendor.
    • Prepare purchase orders (contract) with line item detail to match the deliverables, performance, timeline etc.
    • Project execution including but not limited to; planning, design review, FAT, installation and ramp up until deliverables are achieved.
    • Project ownership for cost, schedule & performance. 
  • Up to 50% travel.
  • All GLC employees are expected to perform any assignment or job task according to the stated safety policies and procedures.
  • All GLC employees are expected to produce and promote our products and services in a manner that exceeds the quality and value expectation of our customers and consumers by adhering to
  • Good Manufacturing Practices, Policies and Procedures outlined in our Safe Quality Food Program.
  • Other responsibilities as assigned by the manager.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in engineering from an accredited institution and 2 years of project engineering experience or a high school diploma and 6 years of project engineering experience in lieu of a degree.  
  • Must be legally authorized to work for a company in the United States without sponsorship.
  • Excellent verbal & written communications skills. 
  • Strong problem solving and hands on trouble shooting skills. 
  • Excellent attention to detail on multiple simultaneous tasks.

Preferred Education and Experience

  • 2-4 years of project engineering experience. 
  • Project management and CPG equipment experience including sanitary design and SQF requirements in a food manufacturing environment.Experience in the food industry.
  • Proficient in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office including Excel, , Project, and Word.
  • Demonstrated willingness to teach and train other stakeholders on the shop floor. Have a natural curiosity about our processes and experience in investigating process deviations.
  • Mastery of GMPs and the know how to work and manage within a regulatory environment.
  • Strong technical, , cost consciousness, organizational, and communication skills taking projects from concept development to commercialization stages.
  • SAP experience.
  • MES experience.
  • OSHA 10hr Safety Certification
  • Lean manufacturing and CI experience.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed across multiple sites, office setting, warehouse floor (cold environment) and in various locations as needed.
• Occasional exposure to industrial operations including: temperature extremes from approximately 35ºF to 100ºF; noise levels in excess of 85 dB; moisture and moving machinery.

EEOC & Disclaimer

Great Lakes Cheese is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.