Sr. Manager Project Engineering

About Ingredion:

Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you’ve experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet’s food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you’re just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

                                   

Location: Bedford Park, IL (Argo Plant)

Workplace type: On Site

Successfully lead and optimize a multi-million-dollar capital project portfolio by aligning site investment strategies with broader business objectives, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and with measurable operational and financial impact. Develop and mentor a high-performing team of project engineers, removing barriers to execution, strengthening technical capabilities, and building a sustainable pipeline of engineering talent. Drive continuous improvement through strategic capital investments, best practice adoption, reliability enhancements, and data-driven decision making, while fostering cross-functional alignment, stakeholder engagement, and a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

As a Senior Manager, Project Engineering, you will be responsible for general portfolio management of their site’s – and other sites – capital budget and strategic plan. They will lead a team of project engineers and are responsible for facilitating the training and mentorship of these engineers. The manager will be influential in the successful development of less experienced members of the site’s teams. The manager is responsible for removing the teams’ barriers to execution. A significant portion of the time will be dedicated to managing people, while overseeing the portfolio. Capable of managing up to ensure the strategic plan of the plant is correct for both the larger company strategic plan and the plant’s needs.

This role report to the Director of Project Engineering and oversees a team of seven.

What you will do: 

• Develops complex project plans and capital investment proposals, including financial analysis, capital and operating cost estimates, and business case justification.
• Creates advanced engineering designs, including material and energy balances, process flow diagrams (PFDs), P&IDs, and process control strategies.
• Manages and optimizes the plant project portfolio through KPI tracking, project reviews, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Develops and executes capital investment strategies aligned with long-term business objectives.
• Provides leadership for capital projects by establishing standards, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, and aligning cross-functional stakeholders.
• Promotes knowledge sharing by leveraging technology, knowledge management systems, and collaborative tools.
• Identifies, evaluates, and implements best practices and innovative solutions to improve operational and project performance.
• Leads and validates Management of Change (MOC) activities for process, safety, engineering, and operational modifications.
• Applies data analysis and technical expertise to support decision-making, process improvements, and project execution.
• Utilizes financial metrics and profit-and-loss understanding to guide investment decisions and capital budget allocation.
• Builds collaborative relationships across functions to identify, develop, and deliver effective solutions that meet stakeholder expectations.
• Leads root cause analyses, process studies, and continuous improvement efforts to enhance safety, quality, reliability, and operational performance.
• Directs major maintenance and reliability improvement projects to improve asset performance and operational efficiency.
• Applies operational governance standards and project management frameworks to drive consistency and project standardization.
• Supports management system implementation, assessments, and the adoption of best operating practices across the organization.
• Champions the sharing and adoption of best operating practices, critical routines, and continuous improvement methodologies.

What you will bring: 

• Degree or advanced degree in an engineering discipline or relevant, and significant years of experience in project execution. Team leadership experience desired.
• Demonstrated success leading engineering organizations and managing complex capital project portfolios in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience directing multidisciplinary engineering teams, external consultants, contractors, suppliers, and engineering service providers.
• Strong knowledge of capital planning, estimating, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, construction, commissioning, and project closeout.

Who you are: 

• Be agile in responding and engaging the team to deliver solutions for customer needs.
• Actively listen to team members and motivate them to bring their best.
• Drive the development of teams, provide tools and resources, and anticipate future talent needs for the organization and set high standards for team performance.
• Clearly communicates expectations, monitors progress and results, and holds individuals and teams accountable.
• Collaborates with cross-functional Site Leadership Team to deliver value for both internal and external customers.
• Influences stakeholders with data and strong business cases to gain alignment and inspire action around competing key priorities.
• Inspires and influences others.
• High emotional intelligent leader with strong self-awareness.
• Increase engagement in teams and plant, enable an inclusive and diverse culture and team.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:

• Total Rewards Package – Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success.
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support – Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being
• Career Growth – Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.
• Employee Recognition Program – A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recognition rewards globally
• Employee Discount Program – Provides exclusive discounts on everyday products, services, and travel.

#LI-JS1 #LI-ONSITE

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. Ingredion seeks to provide a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, handicap or disability—mental or physical—marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability resulting from military service, or any other classification protected by law (“protected classifications”). We are committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Ingredion provides accommodations to job applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If a job applicant requires an accommodation during the application process or through the selection process, we will work with the applicant to meet the job applicant's accommodation needs.

Ingredion uses AI-enabled tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including resume screening and interview scheduling. These tools help match candidate skills to job requirements and streamline communication. All AI-assisted decisions are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team to ensure fairness and compliance with applicable laws. By applying, you acknowledge that AI may be used to support your application journey.

Relocation Available:

No

Pay Range:

This pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final base salary will be determined based on several factors which may include but are not limited to responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data and applicable bargaining agreement (if any).

Incentive Compensation:

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.

Benefits:

Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental and vision coverage as well as a 401(k) plan with an competitive company match.