Senior Project Manager

Calculated Hire; Bowling Green (KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Onsite during major construction

Job summary

Calculated Hire is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the end-to-end replacement and modernization of an ammonia refrigeration system in an active manufacturing facility. You will manage design, procurement, construction, and commissioning, ensuring production continuity.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in PM/construction, 5+ years in industrial ammonia refrigeration projects, and strong familiarity with PSM, PHA, MOC, PSSR, and related safety processes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project management and/or construction management experience.
• 5+ years of direct experience managing industrial ammonia refrigeration projects.
• Experience replacing or transitioning an ammonia refrigeration system.
• Experience managing large-scale capital construction projects.
• Strong understanding of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and related infrastructure.
• Experience managing design/build contractors and subcontractors.
• Experience working in an active manufacturing facility where production continues during construction.
• Strong project controls across scope, cost, schedule, risk, and change management.
• Hands-on experience with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Experience with PHA, MOC, PSSR, SOPs and related safety processes.
• Proficiency with Smartsheet and Microsoft Project or equivalents.
• Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end replacement and modernization of an ammonia refrigeration system.
• Oversee design, engineering, procurement, construction, installation, cutover, startup, commissioning and closeout.
• Serve as primary PM contact for owners, engineers, contractors, and plant operations.
• Manage scope, cost, schedule, risk, quality, safety, and change orders.
• Oversee design/build and general contractors and engineering firms.
• Coordinate design reviews, equipment procurement, piping, electrical, controls, and structural work.
• Develop and manage transition from old to new system with minimal disruption.
• Coordinate shutdowns, tie-ins, and system cutovers with operations and construction teams.
• Monitor contractor schedules, costs, invoices, forecasts, and overall performance.
• Ensure safety and quality via inspections and contractor compliance.
• Participate in PSM activities and related documentation.
• Coordinate testing, system charging, startup, and commissioning.
• Manage project closeout including records, manuals, warranties, and turnover.
• Lead status meetings and report progress, risks, and milestones to leadership.
• Maintain schedules and documentation using Smartsheet and MS Project.

Skills

Project management

Industrial ammonia refrigeration

Stakeholder management

Project controls

Smartsheet

Microsoft Project

Design/build contracts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Smartsheet

Microsoft Project

Job description

What You'll Do

• Lead the end-to-end replacement and modernization of an existing industrial ammonia refrigeration system.
• Manage project activities across design, engineering, procurement, construction, installation, cutover, startup, commissioning, and closeout.
• Serve as the primary project management contact for owners, engineering teams, contractors, subcontractors, and plant operations.
• Manage project scope, cost, schedule, risk, quality, safety, and change orders.
• Oversee design/build contractors, general contractors, engineering firms, and subcontractors.
• Coordinate design reviews, engineering activities, equipment procurement, refrigeration piping, electrical systems, controls, structural work, and facility modifications.
• Develop and manage the transition from the existing refrigeration system to the new system while minimizing disruption to ongoing production.
• Coordinate planned shutdowns, tie-ins, and system cutovers with plant operations and construction teams.
• Monitor contractor schedules, costs, invoices, forecasts, and overall project performance.
• Review technical requirements related to refrigeration equipment, piping, electrical systems, controls, structural modifications, and facility infrastructure.
• Oversee project safety and quality activities, including inspections and contractor compliance.
• Participate in Process Safety Management (PSM) activities, including PHA, MOC, PSSR, SOP reviews, and related documentation.
• Coordinate pressure testing, evacuation, system charging, startup, and commissioning activities.
• Manage project closeout, including record drawings, operating and maintenance manuals, warranties, guarantees, and final documentation.
• Lead recurring project status meetings and communicate project progress, risks, issues, and milestones to project leadership.
• Maintain project schedules, action items, documentation, and reporting using Smartsheet and Microsoft Project.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of project management and/or construction management experience.
• 5+ years of direct experience managing industrial ammonia refrigeration projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing the replacement, modernization, or complete transition of an existing ammonia refrigeration system to a new system.
• Experience managing large-scale capital construction projects.
• Strong understanding of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems, refrigeration piping, equipment, controls, and associated infrastructure.
• Experience managing design/build contractors, general contractors, engineering firms, and subcontractors.
• Experience working within an active manufacturing or industrial facility where production must continue during construction.
• Strong project controls experience across scope, cost, schedule, risk, and change management.
• Hands‑on experience with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Experience with PHA, MOC, PSSR, SOPs, and related industrial safety processes.
• Strong proficiency with Smartsheet and Microsoft Project or comparable project management and scheduling platforms.
• Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• RETA certification or similar ammonia refrigeration credential.
• Experience with IIAR standards and industrial ammonia refrigeration best practices.
• Food manufacturing, food & beverage, cold storage, or other industrial refrigeration experience.
• Experience managing projects involving refrigeration piping, electrical systems, automation/controls, structural modifications, and facility expansions.
• Experience with GMP development and contract administration.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.

This is a complex capital project within an active manufacturing facility, requiring the existing refrigeration system to remain operational while the new system is designed, constructed, installed, and brought online.

The project includes:

• New engine room infrastructure
• Refrigeration piping and components
• Electrical systems and panels
• Automation and controls
• Structural modifications
• Facility expansion
• System cutover and tie-ins
• Startup and commissioning
• Safety and quality compliance
• Project documentation and final turnover

The position will initially allow for a combination of remote and onsite work, with the expectation of full‑time onsite presence during major construction and installation phases. Occasional weekend work may be required around construction activities and system cutovers.