Construction Project Manager

This position manages the business, financial, and operational lifecycle of industrial construction projects in food and beverage and chemical facilities from pre-construction planning through mechanical completion, startup, and closeout, with a focus on installing process, mechanical, and controls equipment in operating client facilities. This is a field based role. The Construction Project Manager is the project manager accountable for scope, schedule, budget, and the client relationship, and is also the construction manager on site directing contractors and making sure the work is installed safely, correctly, and ready to start up. This person is the primary bridge between the client, the Cortex engineering team, and the contractors and vendors on site. Duties and Responsibilities Manages project scope, budget, schedule, procurement, and safety compliance to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within financial targets. Serves as the primary on-site point of contact for the client, the Cortex engineering team, and contractors, and holds each contractor to the contracted scope of work. Prepare construction cost estimates, manage the project budget, track changes and change orders, review and process contractor pay applications, and report cost and forecast to complete monthly. Work with the Cortex process, mechanical, structural, electrical, and instrumentation and controls teams and the client to resolve field issues, RFIs, submittals, and design changes, and coordinate with local authorities on permits and inspections as needed. Lead contractor and vendor selection with our procurement team: write bid packages and scopes of work, run bid walks, evaluate bids, and negotiate contracts. Plan construction sequencing and build and maintain the construction schedule, including tie-ins, shutdowns, and outage windows in operating facilities. Track installed progress against the schedule and budget and prepare daily reports and weekly status reports for the client and Cortex project leadership. Identify and resolve field problems and conflicts before they become cost or schedule impacts. Run weekly progress meetings with contractors on site and attend client and Cortex project leadership meetings. Verify contractors have the manpower, equipment, and materials needed to hold the schedule, and track owner-furnished equipment from delivery through setting with attention to budgetary limitations. Enforce Cortex and client site safety requirements, including job hazard analyses, lockout/tagout, hot work, and confined space permits, and process safety management and management of change requirements at chemical sites, and report issues to the Safety Representative. Oversee installation of process equipment, piping, and electrical, instrumentation, and controls systems, and verify the work matches the issued drawings, P&IDs, and specifications. Manage the path to startup: mechanical completion walkdowns, punch lists, loop checks, and system turnover, and support commissioning and startup with the client's operations team. When Cortex holds the contractor contracts, administer them directly, including contractor prequalification and insurance certificates, buyout, change orders and back-charges, pay applications, lien waivers, and contract closeout. Maintain as-built markups, field change documentation, and closeout and turnover packages. All other duties as assigned. Qualifications 7+ years of construction experience in industrial, manufacturing, or process facilities, including at least 3 years as a Project Manager or Construction Manager responsible for the field installation of process and controls equipment. BS or AS in Construction Management or an engineering discipline preferred, or equivalent field experience. Attention to detail and the ability to read and interpret P&IDs, piping isometrics, equipment layouts, electrical one-lines, and instrument loop drawings, review submittals for accuracy and compliance, and review proposed change directives. Experience with project management and document control, including RFI, submittal, and change order logs. Ability to write reports and professional correspondence to clients, contractors, and vendors. Excellent verbal communication skills, including running contractor meetings and presenting status to client plant and project leadership. Experience with managing demanding clients and offering creative solutions to meet commitments and requests. Working knowledge of mechanical, piping, electrical, and instrumentation and controls installation practices, and of commissioning and startup. Experience administering construction contracts, including bid packages, buyout, change orders, back-charges, and pay applications. Experience in both food and beverage and chemical process environments preferred, including sanitary design requirements, process safety management, and hazardous (classified) locations. Proficient in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project or Primavera P6. Experience with Bluebeam preferred. OSHA 30 HR Certified or the ability to obtain certification before the first site assignment. Valid driver's license and the ability to meet client site access requirements, including background checks and drug screening. Working Conditions This position is field based, working primarily at client construction sites and operating manufacturing facilities, with office or remote work between assignments. Work areas include factory floors where industrial machinery is present and in operation, chemical process areas, elevated platforms, and outdoor construction areas in varying weather. Site schedules may include early starts, nights, and weekends to support shutdowns, tie-ins, and startup. Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This role requires the employee to frequently stand and walk for extended periods, climb stairs, ladders, and platforms, work at heights with fall protection, wear required personal protective equipment, use hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move equipment, tools, and materials up to 40 pounds. Travel Travel of 50% to 75%, including extended stays at client sites of several weeks at a time during the construction phase of a project. Cortex EPCM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr Cortex EPCM LLC