The Project Manager is responsible for leading the successful execution and delivery of projects within the Liquid Technologies business. This role owns the overall project lifecycle, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with customer requirements and GEA standards.
As the primary point of accountability, the Project Manager coordinates multidisciplinary teams across engineering, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, installation, commissioning, and customer stakeholders to achieve project objectives while maximizing customer satisfaction and project profitability.
Projects may comprise various process technologies across the dairy, beverage, food, and liquid processing industries.
Responsibilities / Tasks
Project Leadership & Execution
Lead assigned projects from contract award through engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning, startup, and project close-out.
Develop and maintain comprehensive project execution plans, schedules, resource plans, risk registers, and project budgets.
Ensure project milestones, deliverables, and contractual obligations are achieved within agreed timelines.
Monitor project performance, identify risks and mitigation actions, and proactively manage project deviations.
Drive project profitability through effective cost control, change management, and resource optimization.
Manage project forecasting, financial reporting, and progress tracking throughout the project lifecycle.
Customer & Stakeholder Management
Serve as the primary interface between customers and GEA throughout the project execution phase.
Lead project kick-off meetings, progress reviews, technical discussions, and customer status updates.
Build strong relationships with customers, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
Ensure customer expectations are clearly understood, managed, and fulfilled.
Address commercial, technical, and execution-related issues in a timely and professional manner.
Project Coordination
Coordinate cross-functional teams including Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Automation Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Site Services.
Ensure engineering activities are completed according to specifications, project schedules, and quality standards.
Review and approve technical deliverables, project documentation, and design changes.
Manage procurement and equipment delivery schedules to support project timelines.
Coordinate installation, commissioning, and startup activities with internal and external stakeholders.
Risk, Quality & Compliance
Identify project risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
Ensure compliance with GEA standards, customer specifications, safety requirements, and applicable regulations.
Monitor scope changes and manage variations through established change management processes.
Ensure proper project documentation, version control, and document management throughout the project lifecycle.
Lead project lessons learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
Site Execution & Commissioning
Support site installation and commissioning activities as required.
Coordinate resolution of technical and commercial issues during project execution.
Ensure punch-list items, testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance activities are completed successfully.
Support customer operator training and handover activities.
Lead project close-out, final documentation submission, and warranty handover processes.
Your Profile / Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's Degree in: Chemical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Food Engineering
Dairy Engineering
Process Engineering or related discipline
Experience
Minimum 7-10 years of experience in project execution, engineering, commissioning, or project management within the Dairy, Food, Beverage, or Process Industry.
Proven experience managing capital equipment, process systems, or turnkey process plant projects.
Experience…