Capital Projects Manager

Capital Projects Manager

Location: Lake Bluff, IL (On-site)

Contract Duration: 12 months+

We are supporting an established global life sciences company in Lake Bluff, IL seeking an experienced Capital Projects Manager to oversee engineering and capital improvement projects across manufacturing and facility operations.

This is a hands-on project management role responsible for driving projects from planning through execution and completion. The ideal candidate brings a strong background managing capital projects in manufacturing or industrial environments, with experience coordinating engineering teams, contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders to deliver projects on schedule and within budget.

What You'll Do

• Manage multiple engineering and capital projects from initial planning through execution, completion, and turnover.
• Oversee projects involving manufacturing equipment installations and upgrades, facility improvements, utilities, and infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain project scopes, schedules, budgets, milestones, and execution plans.
• Coordinate engineering, construction, equipment installation, and facility improvement activities.
• Manage external contractors, equipment vendors, engineering partners, and other project stakeholders.
• Monitor project costs, schedules, risks, change orders, and overall project performance.
• Lead project meetings, track action items, and drive accountability for deliverables and commitments.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Facilities, and other cross-functional teams.
• Identify and resolve project challenges while minimizing disruption to ongoing manufacturing operations.
• Provide regular project updates, maintain project documentation, and coordinate project closeout.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of project management experience involving engineering, capital projects, or manufacturing-related initiatives.
• Experience managing manufacturing equipment installations, equipment upgrades, facility improvements, utility projects, or industrial infrastructure projects.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, budgeting, cost tracking, and execution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience coordinating engineering teams, contractors, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of project controls, risk management, and project delivery processes.
• Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, chemical, food and beverage, or other regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
• Experience managing packaging equipment installation or upgrade projects is a plus.
• PMP certification preferred.

Why Join

• Long-term contract opportunity with an established global life sciences organization.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of capital projects supporting manufacturing operations and facility improvements.
• Work alongside experienced engineering and operations teams with direct responsibility for project delivery.

About West Leland Group

West Leland Group is a boutique search firm focused on Quality, Regulatory, and Engineering roles for medical device, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies. With deep industry expertise and a long-term approach, we help innovative organizations build teams that drive better health outcomes. Thoughtful Search. Purposeful Hiring.

This search is being managed by West Leland Group on behalf of our client. West Leland Group is an equal opportunity search partner. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. This is a contract position with a client company.