Project Manager - FMCG Manufacturing
Location: Kildare, Ireland
Contract Type: Permanent
85k-95k, bonus 10% pension, healthcare
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Project Engineer to support the planning, coordination, and execution of engineering projects within a leading FMCG manufacturing organisation. This role offers the opportunity to drive process improvements, manufacturing expansion initiatives, capital projects, and continuous improvement programmes across a multi-technology food manufacturing environment while working closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, R&D, and Senior Leadership teams.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work closely with Manufacturing, R&D, and Maintenance teams to design sustainable manufacturing processes aligned with future business needs.
* Lead initiatives to expand manufacturing capability, including the design and development of new manufacturing facilities to support business scalability.
* Plan and execute process and equipment projects across FMCG manufacturing plants, ensuring compliance with regulatory, safety, and food quality standards.
* Lead the design, specification, procurement, installation, commissioning, and validation of new equipment and production lines.
* Conduct detailed analysis of existing production processes to identify capacity constraints, inefficiencies, and bottlenecks.
* Drive process optimisation initiatives through Lean Manufacturing principles, improving plant capacity utilisation and reducing resource consumption.
* Develop process maps, document operational inefficiencies, and implement solutions to improve manufacturing performance.
* Promote and support continuous improvement programmes across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, S&T, and C&I functions.
* Coordinate cross-functional project teams from initiation through implementation, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
* Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, resources, and stakeholder communications.
* Support training and development activities related to new equipment, processes, and operational procedures.
* Manage engineering project budgets and ensure compliance with approved capital expenditure policies.
Requirements:
- Minimum 5-7 years' experience in a Process Engineering, Project Engineering, or Project Management role within a manufacturing environment.
* Experience within FMCG or food manufacturing environments is highly desirable.
* Third-level qualification in Engineering or a related discipline is desirable.
* Proven experience delivering equipment installation, manufacturing expansion, process improvement, and capital projects.
* Strong understanding of food safety, health & safety, environmental compliance, and customer code requirements.
* Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
* Experience with process optimisation, capacity improvement, and manufacturing efficiency initiatives.
* Strong project management skills, including budget, timeline, resource, and stakeholder management.
* Experience working with automation technologies, digital manufacturing, and data-driven process optimisation is highly desirable.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts across all levels of the organisation.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to challenge existing processes and drive meaningful change.
* Proactive, strategic mindset with strong business acumen and a continuous improvement focus.
The Next Step for You
Should this position be of interest to you, please forward your CV to Andile Sibanda at Next Generation Recruitment or alternatively call +353 1 960 9773 for a confidential discussion.
Next Generation are specialists in Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, Quality, Scientific, Technical and Operations (permanent, contract and temporary) positions.
Applications are strictly confidential.
