Sr Project Manager - East Coast Region

Company Statement

Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life. For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here. At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce. We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do—together—to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.

Overview

Graham Packaging is seeking an experienced Sr Project Manager that will direct, coordinate, and lead the planning, organization, facilitation, and delivery of complex projects in manufacturing facilities from initiation through closure.  This position will allow for remote (at home) work opportunity, but requires that the ideal candidate be located near a major airport in the East Coast region. 

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale capital projects, including manufacturing plants, distribution centers, warehouses, and/ or automated facility expansions from concept through startup.
• Assume full lifecycle ownership of projects, managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and stakeholder alignment throughout all project phases.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans utilizing traditional waterfall project management methodologies and stage-gate processes.
• Direct cross-functional teams including engineering, construction, operations, automation, safety, procurement, and external contractors.
• Oversee project budgets ranging from multi-million to large capital investments, ensuring effective cost control and financial reporting.
• Manage site selection, facility design, engineering reviews, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational handover activities.
• Coordinate the integration of automation systems, material handling equipment, robotics, warehouse management systems (WMS), and manufacturing technologies.
• Establish project governance structures and provide regular executive-level updates on project status, milestones, risks, and financial performance.
• Develop and execute comprehensive risk management plans, proactively identifying and mitigating schedule, budget, safety, and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable building codes, regulatory requirements, environmental standards, and workplace safety regulations.
• Manage project schedules using critical path methodologies, driving accountability and timely resolution of project issues and constraints.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement across executive leadership, operations teams, engineering partners, and external suppliers to ensure project success.
• Lead commissioning, startup, validation, and turnover activities to ensure facilities and automated systems meet performance, throughput, and operational requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement and lessons learned activities to enhance project execution practices, capital efficiency, and long-term operational performance.
• Travel up to 50% of the time

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience leading large capital construction projects in manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or industrial environments.
• Demonstrated success delivering projects exceeding $10M-$100M+ in value.
• Experience managing greenfield and brownfield facility projects, including highly automated warehouses and manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of construction management, engineering design, procurement, commissioning, and waterfall project delivery methodologies.
• PMP certification preferred; Engineering, Construction Management, or related technical degree strongly preferred

The standard compensation for this role is $128,400 - $192,600. Salary offers will be determined based on final candidate qualifications, experience, skillset, and other relevant factors.

Compensation Statement

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.

Benefits Statement

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company’s 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

EEO Disclaimer

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Responsibilities

- Lead end-to-end delivery of large-scale capital projects, including manufacturing plants, distribution centers, warehouses, and/ or automated facility expansions from concept through startup.
- Assume full lifecycle ownership of projects, managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and stakeholder alignment throughout all project phases.
- Develop and manage detailed project plans utilizing traditional waterfall project management methodologies and stage-gate processes.
- Direct cross-functional teams including engineering, construction, operations, automation, safety, procurement, and external contractors.
- Oversee project budgets ranging from multi-million to large capital investments, ensuring effective cost control and financial reporting.
- Manage site selection, facility design, engineering reviews, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational handover activities.
- Coordinate the integration of automation systems, material handling equipment, robotics, warehouse management systems (WMS), and manufacturing technologies.
- Establish project governance structures and provide regular executive-level updates on project status, milestones, risks, and financial performance.
- Develop and execute comprehensive risk management plans, proactively identifying and mitigating schedule, budget, safety, and operational risks.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable building codes, regulatory requirements, environmental standards, and workplace safety regulations.
- Manage project schedules using critical path methodologies, driving accountability and timely resolution of project issues and constraints.
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement across executive leadership, operations teams, engineering partners, and external suppliers to ensure project success.
- Lead commissioning, startup, validation, and turnover activities to ensure facilities and automated systems meet performance, throughput, and operational requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement and lessons learned activities to enhance project execution practices, capital efficiency, and long-term operational performance.
- Travel up to 50% of the time