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Project Leader Engineering

Conagra Brands · Chicago, IL · $82,000–$120,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the most complex engineering project you've led in a food, pharma or CPG plant. What made it hard?

What they are checking: Whether they have managed real manufacturing projects with the scale and constraints this role carries.

Tell me about a time a vendor or contractor fell behind schedule. How did you get it back on track?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold outside partners accountable and recover a schedule.

How do you manage several projects at different stages at the same time?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real system for juggling priorities across a project portfolio.

What would you do

Halfway through a project, you learn the budget will run over by fifteen percent. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they surface problems early and come with options rather than hiding bad news.

How do you keep stakeholders across multiple plant locations informed without overwhelming them?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate status, risks and decisions clearly to the right people at the right time.

How do you control scope creep when plant teams keep asking for extras during a project?

What they are checking: Whether they protect budget and schedule while still keeping plant partners satisfied.

About the work

How do you build a cost estimate and schedule for a capital project, and how do you know how much contingency to carry?

What they are checking: Whether they plan with realistic risk instead of optimistic numbers that later run over.

How do you manage safety on a project where contractors are working inside an operating food plant?

What they are checking: Whether they put safety first and understand the extra risks of construction around live production.

How do you work with Quality Assurance so that a new line or equipment meets food safety and sanitary design standards?

What they are checking: Whether they build food safety into the project from the start instead of fixing it at startup.

How do you plan a startup and handoff so production can run the new equipment on day one?

What they are checking: Whether they think about commissioning, training and documentation, not just installation.

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The full job description

As published by Conagra Brands.

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you will oversee engineering projects of varying complexity from conception through completion. You will manage all aspects of project safety, scope development, cost estimating, forecasting, and scheduling while leading cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, within scope, and within budget. Your technical expertise in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing will help drive successful project execution across multiple locations. A Taste of Your Responsibilities • Lead and manage engineering projects while ensuring alignment on project objectives and deliverables. • Develop detailed project plans including timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and risk management strategies. • Coordinate and collaborate with manufacturing, quality assurance, and other cross-functional partners to ensure successful project execution. • Provide technical guidance and leadership throughout project lifecycles. • Partner with equipment vendors, construction contractors, and engineering service providers to support project objectives. • Monitor project progress, identify risks and issues, and implement corrective actions as needed. • Communicate project status, milestones, budget updates, and key decisions to stakeholders. • Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, United States Department of Agriculture regulations, Food and Drug Administration regulations, and company requirements. • Drive continuous improvement and innovation across engineering projects and project teams. • Manage multiple projects simultaneously across multiple manufacturing locations. • Support capital projects with values exceeding one million dollars from planning through implementation. Ingredients Required for Your Success • Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline. • 3+ years of experience in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing. • Experience delivering complex engineering projects valued at one million dollars or greater. • Strong technical understanding of engineering principles and manufacturing processes. • Experience managing multiple concurrent projects across multiple locations. • Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills. • Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing outcomes across a matrixed organization. • Willingness to travel approximately fifty percent based on project requirements, primarily Monday through Friday. • Located in Omaha, Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois Number of Days in Office: 2 #LI-Hybrid #LI-PM2 #LI-MSL Compensation Pay Range:$82,000-$120,000 The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees. Our Benefits We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role: • Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement • Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan • Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement • Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities Our Company At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®. Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

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