Project Manager Food Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead complex capital projects that directly support innovation, manufacturing excellence, and mission-critical operations across a national portfolio.

Hybrid (California-based)

Primary project location in Palo Alto, CA, with national travel requirements.

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager – Owner's Representative to support a national portfolio of design, construction, facility renovation, and infrastructure projects within highly regulated and operationally sensitive environments.

This is a highly visible role that sits on the owner side of project delivery, providing technical and project leadership from planning through design, construction, commissioning, and closeout. The successful candidate will manage multiple projects simultaneously, serving as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders, architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and vendors.

The ideal candidate combines strong project management capabilities with hands-on technical knowledge of HVAC systems, boiler plants, mechanical infrastructure, and building systems, along with proven experience delivering projects in manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, medical device, food & beverage, or other industrial environments.

• Lead impactful capital projects that support business growth and operational excellence
• Work on office, manufacturing, facility expansion, infrastructure, and modernization initiatives
• Manage projects from concept through completion with significant ownership and visibility
• Collaborate with executive stakeholders, engineering teams, operations, procurement, and external partners
• Influence strategic facility investments across a multi-site portfolio
• Work in a highly visible role where your decisions directly impact facility operations, project success, and long-term business objectives
• Support complex projects within active facilities that require both strategic leadership and technical expertise

• Pay Rate: $64.00/hour
• 12-month contract assignment

• Serve as the owner's representative throughout planning, design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout
• Manage multiple concurrent capital projects across a national portfolio
• Lead cross-functional teams and align stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and vendors
• Develop and maintain project execution plans, budgets, cost estimates, and logic-based schedules
• Ensure projects meet scope, budget, schedule, quality, and safety objectives
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, technical reviews, and project status updates
• Provide technical oversight related to HVAC systems, boiler systems, mechanical infrastructure, and building systems
• Partner with procurement teams to develop and issue RFPs and RFQs
• Support contractor selection, bid evaluations, and consultant management
• Conduct project site visits and construction oversight activities
• Identify project risks and drive mitigation strategies
• Support project commissioning and operational readiness activities

• Direct experience serving as an owner's representative, client-side project manager, or capital program manager
• Demonstrated success managing consultants, engineering firms, contractors, construction managers, and vendors on behalf of project owners
• Ability to review designs, identify technical risks, and provide informed guidance on building systems
• Experience delivering projects while facilities remain operational
• Strong project controls capabilities, including scheduling, forecasting, estimating, budgeting, and risk management
• Ability to effectively communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience within design and construction environments
• Experience delivering projects within healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, medical device, food & beverage, or industrial settings
• Strong estimating, forecasting, and capital budgeting experience
• Technical expertise involving HVAC systems, boiler systems, mechanical systems, MEP infrastructure, process utilities, clean utilities, steam systems, chilled water systems, and building infrastructure
• Experience creating and managing CPM or logic-based project schedules
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• Experience managing projects through planning, design, construction, and closeout phases

• Prior experience acting as an owner's representative
• Experience supporting national or multi-site project portfolios
• Rudimentary AutoCAD skills
• Experience within medical device manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting operational facilities during active construction

• Approximately 30% national travel
• Travel may include project visits, team meetings, training, and support for projects in multiple states
• Typical travel duration of 2 to 3 days at a time

• Hybrid work arrangement
• Approximately 2 days on-site and 3 days remote
• Project and construction site visits required
• Fast-paced environment managing multiple concurrent projects
• Typical project load ranges from 1 to 5 projects depending on project size and complexity

If you enjoy managing complex facility and infrastructure projects, partnering with cross-functional teams, and influencing project outcomes from concept through completion, we'd love to hear from you. This role offers the opportunity to drive meaningful capital investments while working closely with stakeholders across engineering, operations, manufacturing, procurement, and construction

This is a Contract position based out of Sacramento, CA.

The pay range for this position is $64.00 - $64.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Sacramento,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 1, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.