This opportunity may be your “golden ticket”! While Willy Wonka’s World of Chocolate is not located in Wisconsin, Denali Ingredients is, and we make all those scrumptious goodies found in your favorite ice cream flavor. Each day, we make fudge and caramel swirls, cookie dough, brownies and more. We ship to business customers across the US and Canada, spreading deliciousness nationwide.

Denali is a growing ingredient supplier. We believe in fast-paced fun, continually developing new products for today’s dynamic consumer preferences. We stay well-connected to the industry we serve through our R&D, sales, and marketing efforts. Denali brings innovation forward to customers, and we collaboratively innovate with our customers for new custom products.

To stay relevant in the world of change, we are committed to investments in our facilities, equipment, engineering advancements, and in our employees. While products are our focus, our passion is for our Denali team members, as they define who we are. Driving this passion is our company’s guiding principles that express our purpose, culture, mission, and vision for our team members and customers.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job function satisfactorily. Additionally, they must fulfill essential job functions in a consistent state of alertness and safe manner.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Ensure Workplace Safety:

• Actively demonstrate and drive behaviors that result in zero accidents and injuries to demonstrate that the safety of our employees is the most important asset that are under our care.

Project Leadership:  

• Own and Lead the planning, execution, and oversight of projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring compliance with food safety and regulatory standards. 

Manufacturing Improvements:  

• Drive Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC) projects through process optimization, equipment upgrades, automation and current technology. 

Business Case Management:  

• Develop project business cases with the stakeholders and SMEs and manage throughout the stage gate project process.   
• Present business case to the organization for input and approvals. 

Project Management:  

• Use project management tools to define scope/requirements, develop schedules and budgets, track progress, mitigate risk, and assure project quality and deliverables.   
• Provide excellent communication to stakeholders regarding project status. 

Vendor & Contractor Management: 

• Own the selection and management of external partners, ensuring adherence to specifications, costs and timelines. 

Cross-Functional Team Leadership:  

• Manage internal project teams and external consultants, contractors, and suppliers.  
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, safety, R&D, quality, and maintenance teams to ensure seamless project integration.   
• Lead with a “can-do attitude” while promoting a collaborative work environment.  
• Respectfully challenge the status quo and offer options to ineffective methods. 

Attitude: 

• Establish and exhibit a humble servant-leadership approach, ready to contribute to company success from boots on the ground support to executing major strategic initiatives.  
• Leadership that demonstrates results regardless of task size.  

Required Qualifications 

Education:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related discipline). 

Experience: 

• Minimum 8+ years of project management experience within food manufacturing or industrial environments. 
• Proven track record executing Capex projects up to $20M. 
• Experience managing external consultants and contractors. 

Skills: 

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and tools (MS Project, stage-gate, charter, SOW, risk matrix, etc.). 
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced environments. 
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory compliance. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• PMP, equivalent certification or proven experience. 
• Experience with facility master planning and managing brownfield and/or greenfield projects. 
• Familiarity with FAT/SAT protocols, commissioning processes and performance guarantees. 
• Experience with PLCs, robotics, and automated packaging systems within the food industry. 
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies. 

Key Competencies 

• Strategic Thinking 
• Technical Expertise 
• Leadership & Team Development 
• Results Orientation 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

No direct reports. 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 55 pounds, carrying boxes, materials, and product. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Denali Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer that continues to build a culture of belonging through our commitment to attracting and retaining diverse talent from all backgrounds, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant and believe in fairness and providing a level playing field for all. We foster a culture that thrives on diverse perspectives and contributions to ignite creativity and innovation to fuel our business and enhance the employee and customer experience. 

Denali Ingredients is located in New Berlin, Wisconsin. We are customer-centric, fun and engaging. Beyond making ice cream treats tastier, Denali provides a fast-paced stimulating international environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits, training, mentoring and growth opportunities. Join a team that makes the world a sweeter place! 

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be?construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.