Project Executive - Food and Beverage

Job Title: Project Executive - Food and Beverage (Manufacturing)

This is an operational leadership position, balancing business development with direct operational oversight of key projects and teams within the Food and Beverage industry sector.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive food and beverage construction experience and play a key role in securing clients, scaling teams, and delivering high-volume programs across The Yates Companies.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Collaborate with work acquisition team to identify and win new F&B clients through networking, industry outreach, and targeted relationship-building.
• Support the development of client-specific pursuit strategies, proposals, and presentations.
• Support the creation of market-entry plans and growth initiatives in emerging or underrepresented regions.

Client Leadership & Account Oversight

• Act as the executive liaison for assigned F&B clients, ensuring satisfaction and long-term partnership growth.
• Develop strategic client roadmaps that align with sector and regional growth goals.
• Translate client expectations into field-executable strategies.

Field Operations & Project Delivery

• Provide senior-level oversight across all phases of construction, including site mobilization, permitting, schedule execution, and turnover.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess progress, resolve field-level issues, and ensure adherence to quality, safety, and brand standards.
• Support superintendents and project managers in addressing the unique operational challenges of F&B construction, such as:
  • Hygienic design and construction
  • Proper PPE for food-grade facilities
  • Working in sterile environments
• Ensure compliance with OSHA and internal safety standards through close coordination with the safety team.
• Troubleshoot critical issues that impact timelines or client operations, leveraging experience to implement swift, cost-effective solutions.
• Collaboration with A/E and MEP partners.

Team Development & Internal Leadership

• Mentor field staff, project managers, and engineers on best practices for F&B project delivery.
• Lead project kickoffs, OAC (Owner-Architect-Contractor) meetings, and executive progress reviews.
• Collaborate with regional leadership to allocate field resources effectively and ensure workforce readiness for scaling programs.

Qualifications:

• 10 years of experience in commercial construction, including 5 years specifically managing large-scale projects in the Food and Beverage Industry.
• Demonstrated ability to lead active construction projects.
• Deep understanding of food grade facility construction, permitting, code requirements, and relevant FDA regulations.
• Strong field operations experience, including supervision of jobsite teams, subcontractor coordination, and quality control.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field.
• Willingness to travel regionally and nationally based on project and client needs.

Physical Demands/Essential Job Functions:

This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Physical requirements for this role may include but not limited to walking, standing, operating tools / equipment, and lifting items (up to 25lbs). Tasks may also be carried out in varying weather conditions and environments as appliable to the position.

About Yates Construction

Ranked among the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the country by Engineering News-Record, Yates Construction is family-owned and provides a wide range of construction and building services. Incorporated in 1964 by William G. Yates Jr., we have steadily grown to become one of the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the nation. We are financially sound with a significant bonding capacity as well as vast personnel and equipment resources.

Our portfolio includes commercial and industrial projects from various sectors including arts and culture, civil, commercial, education, entertainment and gaming, federal, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, municipal, retail, and technology. We work hard to understand our client’s business needs and continually look for opportunities to provide additional value to our clients and their projects.

Our client relationships are the foundation of our success, and our primary goal is to help each of our clients achieve their vision. We do this by carefully managing the details and complexities of each project and communicating constantly with all team members.

Yates Construction provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal and state law requirements.

Yates complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.