What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Project Manager position at Stratus®?
Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Project Manager to lead, grow, and strengthen our presence in the Food & Beverage (F&B) and Manufacturing sector. This leader will oversee large-scale engineering projects, deepen key client relationships, and drive strategic market expansion. The ideal candidate has a strong mix of technical expertise, business development acumen, and operational leadership within regulated manufacturing environments.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Execution
Education & Experience
Stratus is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Stratus Team’s management Team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Project Manager to lead, grow, and strengthen our presence in the Food & Beverage (F&B) and Manufacturing sector. This leader will oversee large-scale engineering projects, deepen key client relationships, and drive strategic market expansion. The ideal candidate has a strong mix of technical expertise, business development acumen, and operational leadership within regulated manufacturing environments.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Execution
- Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams through all phases of project delivery—from concept and design through construction, commissioning, and closeout.
- Manage complex project schedules, budgets, scopes, and deliverables to ensure alignment with client goals and organizational standards.
- Conduct risk assessments, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, and industry standards.
- Oversee quality control and ensure engineering solutions meet performance, reliability, and operational requirements.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for major F&B and manufacturing clients, ensuring a high-quality service experience.
- Build, maintain, and expand long-term client relationships by understanding operational challenges, strategic priorities, and capital planning needs.
- Facilitate clear communication among internal project teams, contractors, vendors, and external partners.
- Identify and pursue new market opportunities to expand the firm’s presence in the F&B/manufacturing sector.
- Partner with senior leadership to develop market strategies, service offerings, and go-to-market plans.
- Support proposal development, client presentations, and competitive bid strategies.
- Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving regulatory requirements to inform strategic direction.
- Mentor and develop project engineers, project managers, and junior staff.
- Promote best practices in project management, technical excellence, and client service.
- Contribute to resource planning, team development, and capability-building initiatives.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, or related field). Master’s degree or MBA a plus.
- 10 years of project management experience in engineering, design-build, EPC, or consulting environments.
- Proven experience delivering capital projects in the Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Pharmaceutical, or Process Manufacturing sectors.
- Strong understanding of F&B plant operations, sanitary design, processing systems, utilities, packaging lines, and automation.
- PMP, PE, or related professional certification preferred.
- Ability to manage complex, multi-million-dollar projects with cross-functional engineering teams.
- Strong working knowledge of industry codes and standards (cGMP, HACCP, FDA, USDA, SQF, NFPA, ASME, etc.).
- Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies—scheduling, cost control, risk management, change management.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated success influencing, leading, and collaborating across internal and external teams.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to spot opportunities and drive market growth.
- High degree of organization, attention to detail, and accountability.
Stratus is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Stratus Team’s management Team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.