Sr Project Manager, AMER in Houston, Texas at Sterling Specialty Chemicals US LLC

The Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing capital projects across Sterling Specialty Chemicals' manufacturing operations. This position will manage projects from initial concept and capital approval through engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project closeout.

The Project Manager will work closely with plant leadership, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, HSEQ, Finance, Procurement, contractors, and equipment suppliers to ensure capital projects are completed safely, on schedule, within approved budgets, and in accordance with Sterling's engineering and operational requirements.

The role will have significant responsibility for managing the Company's capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects, including project development, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, contractor management, and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Capital Project Management

• Manage assigned CAPEX projects from concept and scope development through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, cost estimates, and execution plans.
• Prepare project justification and supporting documentation for capital expenditure approval.
• Manage RFP initiatives for engineering services, contractors, system integrators, and equipment suppliers. Oversee all phases of the sourcing process, including requirements definition, proposal development, vendor engagement, bid evaluation, commercial negotiations, supplier selection, and contract award to ensure optimal business outcomes.
• Track project spending against approved CAPEX budgets and provide regular forecasts and project status updates.
• Identify potential cost overruns, schedule delays, scope changes, and other project risks and develop appropriate corrective actions.
• Coordinate project activities while minimizing disruption to plant operations.
• Ensure projects are properly documented and financially closed upon completion.

Engineering & Technical Coordination

• Coordinate engineering activities with internal resources, engineering firms, equipment manufacturers, and other technical partners.
• Review drawings, specifications, equipment requirements, vendor proposals, and other technical documentation.
• Support equipment selection and ensure equipment and systems meet operational, reliability, safety, and performance requirements.
• Coordinate installation, startup, commissioning, and turnover of new or modified equipment to plant Operations and Maintenance teams.
• Ensure project documentation, drawings, equipment records, and other technical information are updated following project completion.

Contractor & Vendor Management

• Develop scopes of work and support the bidding and selection of contractors, engineering firms, equipment suppliers, and other vendors.
• Coordinate contractor activities and monitor performance, schedule, quality, safety and costs.
• Review contractor proposals, invoices, change orders, and project-related expenditures.
• Ensure contractors comply with Sterling's safety, site, and operational requirements.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure projects are executed in accordance with Company HSEQ standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner with HSEQ, Operations, and Engineering to identify and address project-related safety and environmental risks.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) for project during design, installations and revalidations using methodologies like HAZOP and LOPA.
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC), process safety reviews, pre-startup safety reviews, and other applicable project risk assessments.
• Promote safe work practices among employees, contractors, and vendors throughout project execution.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project budgets, commitments, expenditures, forecasts, and cash-flow projections.
• Partner with Finance to ensure capital expenditures are properly tracked, reported, and capitalized.
• Provide regular project updates to leadership regarding budget, schedule, progress, risks, and key decisions.
• Evaluate project changes and ensure significant scope or budget changes receive appropriate approval.
• Support annual and long-range capital planning activities, including development and prioritization of proposed capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of project management, engineering, or capital project experience within chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, refining, specialty chemicals, industrial manufacturing, or a similar environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing CAPEX projects from development through commissioning and closeout.
• Experience managing project budgets, schedules, contractors, vendors, and engineering resources.
• Working knowledge of industrial equipment, construction practices, and manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with process safety, Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and plant safety requirements preferred.
• PMP certification or similar project management certification is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong project planning, organization, and execution skills.
• Strong understanding of capital budgeting and project cost control.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously across different manufacturing locations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with plant employees, technical professionals, contractors, vendors, and senior leadership.
• Strong negotiation and vendor-management skills.
• Ability to balance project objectives with plant production and operational requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project scheduling/tracking tools.
• Ability to travel to Sterling manufacturing locations as project needs require.