Casper's Ice Cream is hiring: Project Manager in Richmond

Project Manager

(CapEx & Maintenance)

Casper’s Ice Cream is a $140M, 100-year-old family-founded business behind the iconic FatBoy ice cream sandwich and other beloved frozen treats. Acquired by MidOcean Partners in 2022, we are on a mission to transform from a proud regional manufacturer into a nationally recognized branded CPG company.

Job Purpose :

The Project Manager of CapEx & Maintenance is a strategic, hands-on role critical to our operational success. Reporting to the Director of Operational Excellence, you will be the driving force behind the efficient planning, scheduling, and execution of all capital projects and maintenance initiatives. Your work will directly impact our ability to meet aggressive deadlines, reduce unplanned downtime, and maximize the return on every investment. This role requires a highly organized and proactive individual who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, and results-oriented environment.

Essential Job Duties (include but not limited to) :

Lead Capital Project Planning:

Take full ownership of capital expenditure (CapEx) projects from conception to completion. This includes developing detailed project scopes, managing budgets, and creating and maintaining Gantt charts to ensure all deadlines are met and stakeholders have clear visibility into project timelines.

Asset Performance Planning:

Develop, manage, and continuously optimize preventive and predictive maintenance schedules. Your goal is to proactively reduce equipment downtime and ensure optimal asset utilization across all production lines.

Drive Financial Accountability:

Accurately track and report on the Return on Investment (ROI) for all CapEx projects. Prepare clear, concise reports for executive leadership, providing data-driven insights to guide future investment decisions.

Facilitate Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Act as a key liaison between engineering, operations, and finance teams. You will be instrumental in leading weekly planning meetings, aligning priorities, and fostering a culture of servant leadership by proactively supporting and communicating with team members to overcome challenges.

Manage Critical Resources:

Proactively plan for spare parts inventory and coordinate with vendors to ensure we have the necessary resources to prevent unplanned downtime.

Ensure Project Continuity: Maintain meticulous documentation of equipment histories, maintenance schedules, and CapEx initiatives, ensuring a smooth transition and continuous improvement, even with fast-paced deadlines.

Success in Your First Year:

Successfully support the installation of several new production lines and key pieces of equipment.

Establish clear, measurable planned rates for these new lines within 30-60 days of their launch.

Integrate all major rebuilds and preventive maintenance (PMs) into a structured one-year plan, creating a clear glide path for future success and stability.

Qualifications :

Experience

• 3-5 years of progressive project management experience within branded CPG, food & beverage, manufacturing, or adjacent industries preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading end-to-end manufacturing and project improvements in $100M+ high-growth environments.
• 2-4 years’ experience in Gantt chart deployment and experience in ensuring deadlines are met.

Personal Characteristics

• Hands-on, collaborative, and highly accountable.
• Energized by complexity, growth, and cultural transformation.
• Data-driven decision-maker with strong executive presence.
• Positive ability to influence others to execute on all projects and maintenance initiative