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Project Engineer

Hazelwood, Missouri, United States

 

Project (Manager) Engineer

About Nature’s Bakery

At Nature’s Bakery, we believe simple, wholesome snacks can make a meaningful difference. We’re committed to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement—working together to deliver great products while supporting our people and communities.

Position Summary

 

The Project Manager, Engineering is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing engineering projects that support equipment reliability, asset lifecycle management, and maintenance-driven improvements within our food manufacturing operations.

This role is less focused on greenfield growth and new line design, and more focused on sustaining and improving existing assets. This includes reducing downtime, improving safety and maintainability, and extending equipment life through well-managed projects. The role partners closely with Maintenance and Operations to deliver practical, on-time solutions that keep the plant running efficiently.

The ideal candidate is a strong project manager with an engineering foundation who enjoys working in the plant, translating technical needs into executable plans, and driving projects that directly impact uptime and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Reliability Project Leadership

  • Lead engineering projects focused on equipment upgrades, refurbishments, replacements, and reliability improvements

  • Manage projects that address chronic downtime, obsolescence, safety risks, and maintenance pain points

  • Support lifecycle planning for critical production and packaging assets

Project Management & Execution

  • Own project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables for maintenance-driven capital and expense projects

  • Coordinate internal resources (maintenance, operations, quality, safety, automation) to execute work with minimal production disruption

  • Develop project plans, risk assessments, and installation/turnaround schedules

Technical & Engineering Support

  • Develop and maintain process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, layouts, and equipment specifications as needed

  • Support equipment troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action projects

  • Ensure solutions are practical, maintainable, and aligned with plant standards

Vendor & Contractor Management

  • Interface with OEMs, contractors, and integrators for equipment repair, upgrades, and services

  • Support vendor selection, scope development, and on-site execution oversight

  • Ensure contractor work meets safety, quality, and engineering standards

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

  • Ensure all projects comply with food safety, quality, safety, and regulatory requirements

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve reliability, reduce downtime, and improve maintainability

  • Support standardization of equipment, parts, and maintenance practices where possible

Systems & Documentation

  • Utilize ERP systems (SAP preferred) for project tracking, procurement, and documentation

  • Maintain accurate project records, as-built documentation, and asset-related updates.

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Required Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred

  • Associate’s degree with equivalent relevant work experience considered

Experience

  • 2–5 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment

  • Food, baking, packaging, or consumer goods manufacturing experience strongly preferred

Technical Skills

  • Working knowledge of processing and packaging systems

  • Ability to read, create, and interpret PFDs and P&IDs

  • Proficiency with 3D modeling software (SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar)

  • Experience with AutoCAD

  • Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP preferred)

  • Understanding of machine design principles and process engineering fundamentals

Soft Skills

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

  • Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively

  • Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving capabilities

  • Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Why Join Nature’s Bakery

  • Work on meaningful projects that directly impact production, quality, and efficiency

  • Collaborate with passionate, values-driven teams

  • Be part of a growing company with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation

  • Competitive compensation and benefits package

 

EEO

We are committed to an inclusive workplace where diversity in all its forms is championed. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we are an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. 

 

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