Energy Project Development Manager

The Kroger Co.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kroger Co. is seeking a Corporate Energy Project Development Manager to lead energy efficiency initiatives across Kroger facilities.

You will develop and manage a three-year energy capital plan, supervise engineers, pilot new utility technologies, and drive cost-saving projects in lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, and building envelope. Travel up to 25% is required and you will report metrics, evaluate vendors, and scale successful pilots across divisions while upholding Kroger's core values of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in energy engineering, mechanical engineering, construction, or comparable field.
• Strong knowledge of lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, and building envelope standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated sound business judgment and ability to work with diverse professionals.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineers, technicians, and contractors to evaluate projects aligning with corporate strategies.
• Design and test capital projects reducing costs in lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, and energy consumption.
• Develop and sustain a detailed 3-year energy capital plan.
• Identify and evaluate new vendors for utility-related products and services.
• Develop metric reports and communicate findings across divisions.
• Supervise and coach direct reports; perform performance reviews.
• Travel as needed 25%.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in energy engineering

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering

Related field experience

Tools

Excel

Job description

The Corporate Energy Project Development Manager leads Kroger’s sustainability and efficiency initiatives by developing utility-focused projects across retail facilities. This role conducts site surveys, pilots innovative solutions for electric, water, sewer, and gas systems, and designs capital projects to reduce energy use in lighting, refrigeration, and HVAC. Responsibilities include managing a three-year energy capital plan, identifying cost-saving opportunities, evaluating vendors, reporting metrics, and collaborating with divisions to scale successful pilots. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Store Support Center facility engineers, division energy and maintenance engineers, technicians, and contractors to evaluate projects that align with corporate strategies.
• Design and test capital projects aimed at reducing costs in lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, and energy consumption to implement utility conservation programs utilizing capital funding.
• Develop and identify new potential projects for utilities expense reduction.
• Develop and sustain a comprehensive 3-year energy capital plan, detailed by store and project.
• Identify and evaluate new vendors for utility-related products and services.
• Develop metric reports to measure progress towards goals. Identify obstacles to success and communicate findings to appropriate levels within the division and company.
• Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports.
• Travel as needed 25%
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in energy engineering, mechanical engineering, construction, or comparable related field experience
• Strong knowledge of lighting, refrigeration, HVAC, and building envelope standards
• Experience trouble-shooting refrigeration design and applications including electronic control algorithms, variable speed drives and interrelated systems diagnosis
• Advanced knowledge of thermodynamics as it relates to the application of refrigeration designs in supermarket applications
• Demonstrated sound business judgment and the ability to work successfully with all levels of professionals, backgrounds, and perspectives
• Ability to manage multiple departments and simultaneous projects, as well as effectively delegate work
• Strong financial skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desired Qualifications

• 4+ years in the field of energy management
• 4+ years of experience as a Division Energy Engineer