Senior Project Manager, Utilities

job purpose:  

The Senior Project Manager, Utilities, is responsible for the successful execution of large-scale capital projects within the utilities workstream, ensuring delivery within approved schedules and budgets. This role requires strong coordination across Engineering and Operations to drive alignment and collaboration. The Utilities Senior Project Manager must possess a solid technical understanding of project scope, along with a clear awareness of cross-functional stakeholder requirements. Responsibilities also include managing budgets, timelines, and supporting resources. Key accountabilities span the full project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, procurement, installation support, commissioning, validation, and ramp-up activities. 

responsibilities:  

• Support the review of scope, including budget analysis, schedule analysis, and identifying possible scope gaps. 

• Ownership over budget, timeline, and risk assessments of the project. 

• Key communications between internal stakeholders, key vendors and partners, and operations team. 

• Manage equipment deliveries, required access and shutdown, installation support, commissioning support, and start up support. 

• Ensures key criteria of the project are delivered by the vendors and meet fairlife’s standards. 

• Participate in equipment factory acceptance testing, punch list creation, and close out. 

• Understand critical business needs to ensure success of the project as well as other business functions. 

• Support for the integration of PLCs, HMIs, and auxiliary equipment associated with Utility Equipment  

• Deliver status updates and weekly routines to project stakeholders. 

• Implement key plant fit-out items, including visual displays, signage, workstations, lab equipment, and safety barriers. 

• Support development of technical data base for project hand off to include creating standardized Engineering documentation for future project needs.  

• Coordinate with EHS and Quality Managers to ensure safety and compliance with all environmental laws and regulations 

• Understand and develop turnover documentation to ensure success of the equipment and operations team. 

skills/qualifications required:

• 10+ years of industrial manufacturing experience – dairy, food & beverage, or liquid manufacturing preferred  

• Knowledge of aseptic and sanitary design standards. 

• Strong understanding of Utility systems to support process equipment, including steam and boiler systems, glycol chiller systems, tower water systems, Reverse Osmosis systems, and electrical systems. 

• Ability to read and understand P&IDs. 

• Experience project managing commercial and capital projects. 

• Developed leadership skills – ability to lead contractor and project teams through various project disciplines  

• Initiative-taker; positive & proactive mindset 

• Effective cost management, forecasting, and budget experience. 

• Understanding of total supply chain and ability to flex to support cross functional work streams. 

• Strong project life cycle understanding to include development, planning, installation, commissioning, and acceptance phases.  

• Ability to lead cross functional teams and influence others. 

• Experience with SharePoint, MS office suit, and Autocad to develop and maintain project trackers, prepare data analysis, and web hosted applications. 

• Effective collaborative skills and ability to work with a diverse team of resources.  

• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and written within the organization and externally.  

• Ability to handle ambiguity and work in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment 

• Proficiency in English: Comfortable with both written and verbal communication, including reading and writing. 
   

working conditions and physical requirements: 

• 12 hours sitting/standing/walking 

• Exposure to Ability to lift up to ___ lbs. 

• Reaching/bending requirements (if any) 

• Exposure to hazards (machinery, confined spaces, etc.) 

• Any other physical requirements 

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; Webster, NY

reports to: Director of Engineering, Large capital projects 

travel requirements: 50% 

exempt/nonexempt: exempt

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