Senior MEP Project Manager

Senior MEP Project Manager

Location: Byhalia, MS

The Senior MEP Project Manager plays a key leadership role in delivering a large-scale battery manufacturing facility. This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and process utility scopes to ensure the project is built safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. At Yates, we believe in doing things the right way. The Sr. MEP PM serves as a trusted partner to our clients and a steady leader for our project teams—driving communication, supporting field operations, and ensuring every decision reflects our commitment to safety, integrity, and excellence.

Primary Duties

• Lead by example in administering the project's safety program, reinforcing Yates' culture of safety and accountability.
• Ensure superintendents and trade partners have the manpower, materials, and equipment needed to support the fast-paced demands of battery plant construction.
• Oversee all MEP subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers to ensure alignment with project milestones and technical requirements.
• Manage installation of complex industrial systems, including high-voltage distribution, process cooling, industrial ventilation, compressed air, specialty gases, and fire protection.
• Implement project-specific QA/QC practices to ensure all work meets design specifications and Yates' standards of quality.
• Provide daily reporting on progress, challenges, and coordination needs.
• Conduct regular site walks to verify safety, cleanliness, and installation quality.
• Identify and resolve field issues promptly, working closely with superintendents, engineers, and trade partners.
• Lead coordination meetings and represent the MEP team in owner discussions.
• Develop detailed scopes of work for MEP subcontractors, including process utility packages.
• Perform constructability reviews with a focus on system integration and equipment installation.
• Lead preconstruction meetings to ensure clear expectations before each phase of work.
• Support VDC coordination and model reviews for dense utility corridors and high-precision environments.
• Track field progress against the plan and support recovery strategies when needed.
• Participate in cost reporting, forecasting, procurement planning, and long-lead equipment management.
• Manage the permit process for MEP and process utility systems.
• Lead the MEP close-out process, including commissioning coordination, system turnover, and punch list management.
• Support integrated systems testing and validation required for battery manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrate Yates Core Values in all interactions—integrity, teamwork, respect, and commitment to excellence.
• Follow the Yates Code of Conduct and uphold our safety expectations.
• Participate in safety meetings, inspections, and training; report hazards and promote a safe working environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of construction management experience, ideally with: Battery plants, Semiconductor or automotive manufacturing, Mission-critical or industrial process projects, Experience managing MEP scopes valued at $50MM+.
• Experience implementing large, complex safety plans.
• PMP certification preferred.

Requirements

• Strong working knowledge of Primavera, MS Project, Excel, and Word.
• Proven ability to lead large MEP teams and coordinate complex system installations.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Experience with cost reporting, cash flow, schedule management, and VDC integration.
• Deep understanding of industrial MEP systems and commissioning processes.
• Familiarity with SDI, OCIP, CCIP, builder's risk, and other insurance programs.

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 applicable 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.