CapEx Project Manager

About UTEX Industries: UTEX Industries is a leading manufacturer of engineered sealing solutions serving the oil and gas, industrial, and petrochemical markets. With a legacy of innovation and operational excellence, we take pride in our people, our products, and our purpose. Join a team that values safety, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Position Summary

The CapEx Project Manager is responsible for leading the planning, justification, execution, and startup of capital investments across UTEX manufacturing facilities. This role will manage approximately $3-$5 million in annual capital expenditures focused on improving safety, capacity, quality, cost competitiveness, equipment reliability, and automation.

The position serves as the primary owner of capital project execution for UTEX's rubber compounding, elastomer molding, thermoplastic manufacturing, packing production, machining, testing, and facility infrastructure operations. The Capital Project Manager will partner closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, EHS, Supply Chain, Finance, and Plant Leadership to ensure projects deliver measurable business results while supporting UTEX's mission of maximizing customer uptime through high-quality engineered sealing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop annual and multi-year capital plans aligned with UTEX growth and operational objectives.
• Prioritize projects using safety, capacity, reliability, quality, automation, and ROI criteria.
• Manage and assist developing capital requests, project justifications, financial evaluations, and authorization packages.
• Support development of long-term equipment replacement strategies for critical manufacturing assets.
• Lead the planning, design, execution, and commissioning of capital projects.
• Manage engineering projects involving rubber compounding equipment, including internal mixers, mills, calendars, extruders, batch-off systems, and material handling equipment.
• Oversee projects supporting elastomer and polymer manufacturing, including compression, transfer, and injection molding equipment, tooling, molds, and rubber-to-metal bonding processes.
• Direct the implementation and optimization of finishing, machining, fabrication, packaging, and automated assembly equipment to improve safety, quality, and productivity.
• Lead laboratory and quality infrastructure projects involving material testing, inspection technologies, and product validation equipment.
• Manage facility infrastructure projects including HVAC, chillers, compressed air, electrical distribution, fire protection, and environmental systems to ensure reliable plant operations.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and technical specifications, while coordinating cross-functional teams, contractors, and equipment suppliers to deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget.
• Drive manufacturing modernization initiatives, including equipment replacements, extrusion and calendar upgrades, laboratory expansion, automation, and continuous improvement efforts that increase capacity, reliability, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Manage projects from concept through commissioning.
• Develop detailed schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Coordinate equipment procurement and factory acceptance testing.
• Oversee contractor installation activities.
• Lead equipment startup, validation, and production release activities.
• Minimize disruption to production while executing projects.
• Ensure effective transfer of equipment ownership to operations and maintenance teams.
• Lead and support operational improvement initiatives that increase manufacturing throughput, capacity, equipment reliability, product quality, and overall operational efficiency.
• Identify and implement solutions that reduce scrap, improve automation and labor productivity, optimize inventory flow and lead times, and enhance workplace safety and ergonomics.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Continuous Improvement teams to execute projects aligned with the company's SQDICP operating model and operational excellence objectives.

Qualifications & Education

· Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.

· 10+ years of manufacturing experience.

· 8+ years leading industrial capital projects.

· Experience managing multiple capital projects simultaneously.

· Demonstrated success managing capital budgets of $3M-$10M annually.

· Strong understanding of manufacturing equipment installation and commissioning.

· Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience applying stage-gated project management processes for capital project development, approval, execution, commissioning, and closeout.

· Understanding and practical experience with Front End Loading (FEL) concepts, including scope definition, business case development, risk assessment, cost estimating, schedule development, and gate-ready decision packages.

· Experience selecting, contracting, and working with EPC firms for engineering, procurement, construction, installation, commissioning, and project closeout activities.

· Preferred experience in Elastomer manufacturing, Rubber compounding, Compression molding, Thermoplastics, Fluid sealing products, and Industrial automation.

· Preferred certifications include PMP Certification and/or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.

· Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing data systems.

Why UTEX?

We don’t just build products — we build careers.

· Competitive pay 

· Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits

· 401(k) with company match

· Paid time off and holiday pay

· Career development and training opportunities

· A company culture rooted in respect, innovation, and collaboration

Equal Opportunity Employer:
UTEX Industries is an equal employment opportunity employer and shall make all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, and/or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply today and join a team where your hard work matters.