Engineering Project Manager - Material Handling Equipment

Company Overview

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

Job Description

Location: Preferred – Greater Chicago, IL; Greater Atlanta, GA; Greater Dallas, TX. Otherwise, proximity to a major airport is ideal.

Travel: Up to 50%

Capable of thriving on solving complex operational challenges?

Do you enjoy working with local manufacturing and warehousing sites and collaborating with local stakeholders, support vendors, and national OEMs on cross-functional projects?

Can you lead a team of engineers toward long-term, business-driven goals, not just short-term fixes?

Are you able to create value through teamwork and daily collaboration?

If so, we at Novolex are looking for a self-starter and well-organized Engineering Project Manager who is ready to make an impact, not just through projects, but by building a long-term career with a company that continues to grow.

About the Role

You will be part of a cost-focused team that drives sustainable savings through change management and full-cycle project execution. From inception to post-project analysis and lessons learned. As an Engineering Project Manager, you will be a subject matter expert in mobile and material handling equipment, including forklifts, batteries, chargers, and emerging technologies. You will develop network-wide strategies focused on lowest cost of ownership and energy efficiency.

What You will Do

- Research, recommend, and specify material handling solutions for various applications across manufacturing and warehousing logistics.

- Develop and execute replacement strategies, budgets, project plans, and timelines

- Stay current on mobile equipment trends, battery technologies (Lithium, Fast Charge, Opportunity Charge, etc.), and energy consumption strategies

- Lead initiatives such as propane-to-electric lift conversions, electric yard spotters, and green energy credit programs

- Implement telemetry systems to optimize mobile equipment usage and performance

- Analyze maintenance and repair trends with vendors and operations leaders to identify cost-saving solutions

- Create business cases and capital acquisition requests for equipment purchases or leases

- Manage projects and assets using SAP

- Collaborate with Procurement on equipment purchasing, scheduling, and setup

- Serve as a liaison between Manufacturing, Distribution Operations, Engineering, IT, and external solution providers

- Recommend new warehouse/distribution center technologies based on operational needs

- Communicate effectively with Engineering and Operations leadership

- Provide technical troubleshooting and ongoing support

- Offer insights into processes affecting direct and indirect operating costs

- Uphold and promote customer’s corporate safety standards

Qualifications

Required:

- BS degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience

- 5–10 years of experience in multi-facility distribution operations

- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams

- High analytical ability; skilled in data analysis and clear communication (written and verbal)

- Ability to create, view, and interpret CAD drawings

Preferred:

- Experience with various types of material handling equipment and storage/retrieval systems

- Familiarity with SAP for project management

- Background in warehouse data analytics and telemetry systems

Why Novolex?

Join a team that is driving innovation across various customer networks. If you are ready to lead transformative projects, shape long-term strategies, and grow with a company that values your expertise; Novolex is ready for you!

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $135,000 - $150,000+ bonus + benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. At Novolex, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The benefits for this role include 401(k) plan with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, paid vacation, and sick days, paid parental leave, paid holidays and wellness program.

#LI-Remote

Company Benefits

What You'll Get From Us

Benefits

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact [email protected].

Formerly Pactiv Evergreen