Project Manager, Construction/Design – Kitchener

CONESTOGA COLD STORAGE; Halton Hills; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Conestoga Cold Storage is seeking a Project Manager, Construction/Design to lead end-to-end cold storage projects across building, maintenance and construction activities. Based primarily in Halton Hills, Ontario, the role requires hands-on site support and collaboration with engineers, vendors and operations leadership.

The successful candidate will oversee scheduling, budgeting, procurement, quality control and regulatory compliance, leveraging AutoCAD/SolidWorks to develop concept drawings

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in project management within construction, industrial refrigeration, food/beverage processing, or cold storage.
• Post-secondary diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with CET designation.
• PMP certification is required.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or other design tools.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings with deep understanding of engineering calculations and industrial refrigeration systems.
• Knowledge of building codes, piping codes, construction procedures, safety standards for industrial refrigeration and cold storage.
• Strong leadership, team management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated with ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end project management for building and construction activities.
• Lead project team, mentoring members and ensuring on-time delivery.
• Prepare concept drawings, define scope, permits, schedules, budgets.
• Solicit bids, negotiate contracts, manage procurement and deliveries.
• Develop project schedules, coordinate trades and suppliers to milestones.
• Manage project budgets, change orders, invoicing and cash flow.
• Ensure compliance with codes, safety standards and quality controls.
• Coordinate inspections and occupancy approvals; maintain as-built drawings.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Reading blueprints

Engineering calculations

Deadline driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology

CET designation

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Position Title: Project Manager, Construction/Design

Job Type: Full Time

Reports To: President

Location: Kitchener

Issue Date: June 18, 2026

Company Overview – Who We Are

For more than five decades, Conestoga Cold Storage Limited has been committed to serving customers across Canada and around the world with reliability and innovation. As a privately owned third-party cold storage company and oneCanada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for twenty consecutive years, we take pride not only in our technology but in our people.

With six modern cold storage facilities, we have grown to becomeCanada’s second-largest service providerin our industry. Our global reputation for excellence in automation and robotics reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and delivering world-class service.

Position Summary

With demonstrated expertise in mechanical design and a deep understanding of design tools, the incumbent will work in a project manager capacity to collaborate closely with construction crews/vendors, structural engineers, refrigeration technicians and operational leadership to deliver energy-efficient, safe, and code-compliant cold storage solutions across both building, maintenance and construction projects.

This position is primarily based in the on-site and requires a hands-on approach as needed to support site activities,maintainquality standards, and uphold the company’s professional standards and reputation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Overall Project Management:Overseeend to end project, includingboth building andconstruction projectactivities,making decisions toremainon-time and on-budget,identifyand mitigate project risks,and delivery of project outcomes according to specifications/codes.
• Team Leadership:Oversee project team, providing guidance on day-to-day accountabilities and mentoring team members, fostering their growth and development.
• Project Planning & Development:Provide concept drawings of building additions, extensions, and new builds (greenfield), define project scope,deliverables,permitapprovals,schedulesand budgets.
• Procurement & Contract Management:Prepare tender documents and bid packages;solicitand evaluate contractor and supplier bids,negotiate contracts and manage agreementsandtrack procurement schedules and deliveries.
• Resource& ScheduleManagement:Develop project schedules, coordinatingsequencing oftrades, subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers,monitorprojectprogress against schedule.
• Budget & Cost Control:Manage project spend, including change orders,invoicingand payments, andforecastingproject costs and cash flow;identifyand mitigate budget risks.
• Quality Control & Assurance:Establishquality standards and procedures, conductreviewsand manage deficiencies, warrantyissuesand corrective actions to ensure compliance with projectspecifications.
• Stakeholder Communication:Managepositive and proactiverelationships withclients,municipalities,utilitiesand regulatory agencies, addressing concerns.Lead project meetings and progress reviews/report outs.
• Project Closeout:Coordinate inspections and occupancy approvals,maintainas-built drawings and operation manuals,ensure all contractual obligations are completedand conduct project reviews and lessons learned sessions.
• Maintenance Support: Provide supportandexpertisetoMaintenanceteam and projects as needed.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety:In collaboration with the site supervisor, ensure all projects and designscomply withCanadian safety standards, OSHA regulations,environmentalregulationsand building codes; coordinate safety orientations and investigate incidents and conduct inspections and site audits.

Key Performance Indicators:include, schedule and budget adherence, safety performance, client satisfaction, change order management, risk mitigation effectiveness and quality,productivityand efficiency metrics.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in project management, specifically withinthe construction,industrial refrigeration, food/beverage processing, or cold storage warehousing.
• Post-secondary diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, orBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, with Certified Engineering Technologist designation or equivalent.
• PMP certification isrequired.
• Proficiencyin AutoCAD, SolidWorksor other design and modelling software;
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical drawingswith deep understanding ofengineering calculations (thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics)and the physical industrial refrigeration systems and material handling systems.
• Demonstratedknowledge ofbuilding codes,piping codes,construction procedures, regulations, and safety standards, specific to the industrial refrigeration and cold storage warehousing industry.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated with proven ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Schedule

• 8.5hour day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends asrequired

Language Requirements

• French notrequired

Location & Work Arrangement

• Primarily based inHalton Hills, Ontario[note:construction sites could be any of our three Ontario locations – ability to work at all three may be a future requirement]
• Candidates must be able to reliably commute orrelocateprior to starting
• On-site position, five days per week

Disclosure Statements

This is a publicly advertised posting for a new position within our organization.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Conestoga Cold Storage is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidatesparticipatingin all aspects of the selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Artificial Intelligence

We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of our hiring process.