Senior Project Manager

Bakelite; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Bakelite, a global specialty chemicals company, seeks a Senior Project Manager to drive capital projects from concept through startup at its Louisville operations. You will partner with facility leadership and cross-functional teams to develop scope, estimates, schedules, and execution plans, ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Reporting to Engineering, this role leads design, construction, commissioning, and startup, with responsibility for budgets, timelines, and ROI targets across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering (or higher).
• 5+ years of experience developing projects and managing design/construction.
• Chemical manufacturing experience preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 35%.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of designing and executing assigned projects.
• Refine project scope and process designs to meet goals.
• Assess feasibility and ROI for capital investments.
• Create scope, estimates, schedules, and execution plans.
• Coordinate resources to ensure on-time project progression.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Estimating & scheduling

Cost control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering

Tools

Estimating

Scheduling

Cost engineering

Cost control

Job description

*relocation assistance offered

Travel: 25-35%

About the company:

Bakelite is a global specialty chemicals company focused on innovation, operational excellence, and serving customers across a broad range of industries. With a strong manufacturing footprint and collaborative culture, Bakelite offers employees meaningful exposure to the business and opportunities for long-term development.

About the position:

The Senior Project Manager plays a key role in executing the division's capital plan and delivering major capital projects across Bakelite's manufacturing operations. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this role is responsible for leading manufacturing facility and infrastructure projects from concept through startup, including equipment installations, process equipment upgrades, utility projects, facility improvements, plant expansions, and other capital investments. You will partner closely with facility leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to develop project scope, cost estimates, project economics, schedules, and execution plans while driving projects safely through construction, commissioning, and startup.

What you will do:

• Responsible for managing all aspects of designing and executing assigned projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to refine project scope, set boundaries, and finalize process designs to meet operational goals.
• Investigate alternatives to projects to determine feasibility, maximize value, and provide justification for capital investment.
• Develop project scope, cost estimates, project economics, schedules, and execution plans for assigned projects.
• Map out project timelines, align resources, and coordinate activities to ensure smooth project progression and timely execution.
• Develop budgets for every stage of a project, monitor and refine results as projects progress, ensuring financial tracking aligns with ROI targets and that projects remain within their approved scope.
• Develop detailed execution strategies, assess feasibility, and resolve potential roadblocks to meet project objectives and deadlines.
• Conduct checks to ensure all safety protocols and environmental regulations are strictly followed during every phase of project planning and execution.
• Lead project implementation, address challenges as they arise, and document progress and results to achieve seamless project closure.
• Maintain open communication with peers, facility leadership, and stakeholders to align on progress, address concerns, and drive successful project execution.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in mechanical or chemical engineering with a minimum of 5 years of experience developing projects, managing design and construction activities. Chemical manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong leadership based on integrity, humility, and respect for others.
• Capable of influencing and building partnerships, developing teamwork and managing others.
• Knowledge of PM tools (Estimating, Scheduling, Costs Control and Cost Engineering) and execution of projects exceeding $500,000.
• Strong economic and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to travel up to 35%

Why Join the Team?

• A collaborative and supportive finance team
• Meaningful exposure to operational and business leaders
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing finance and decision-making
• Leadership focused on coaching, development, and growth
• Structured onboarding and training
• Long-term growth opportunities across finance

We are an Equal Opportunity, Affimitive Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, minority status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any characteristic protected by law.

In order to be considered for this position candidates are required to submit an application for employment through our career site, be at least 18 years or age, willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation as part of the selection process, as well as additional periodic background checks as required by the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) or regulations adopted by the Department of Homeland Security or other regulatory agencies. Candidates are required to have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. This company participates in E-Verify. For additional details, click HERE.