Project Manager - FMCG

Job Description 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.