Site Project Controls Lead

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.; New Mexico; On-site; USD 98,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision benefits

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Insurance discounts (pet/auto/home)

Internal progression opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan’s Chino operation in southwestern New Mexico seeks a seasoned Project Controls Lead to oversee cost estimating, scheduling, forecasting and reporting across multiple plant projects. You will guide engineers, schedulers, and quantity surveyors to align with project objectives and implement standardized controls practices.

You will manage forecasts, change orders, and risk handling, ensuring timely progress updates and compliance with SOPs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business related field and eight (8) years of project controls or equivalent work experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent and twelve (12) years of project controls or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Project and Outlook.
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written.
• Ability to multi‑task in a high paced project environment.
• Experience with ERP system, SAP, P6, and Other Enterprise Project Performance Software.
• Understanding of Accounting functions and systems.
• Site specific training/MSHA required to work at site.

Responsibilities

• Lead all project controls functions across multiple plant engineering projects.
• Develop, implement and manage cost estimating, cost control, forecasting, progress measurement and scheduling processes.
• Provide leadership to Cost Leads/Engineers, Schedulers/Planners, and Quantity Surveyors.
• Drive project performance through cost and schedule management and risk mitigation.
• Implement standardized project controls practices across site project portfolio.
• Oversee forecasts, SOP-compliant reports and variance explanations.
• Manage Change Orders/PCN Log and Change Management System for key projects.
• Maintain project schedules and weekly progress updates with schedulers.
• Ensure compliance with project controls standards and documentation.

Skills

Strong communication

Multi-tasking

Project controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in business related field

Eight years of project controls experience

High school diploma or equivalent

Twelve years of project controls experience

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/Project/Outlook)

SAP

P6

Job description

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At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career.

Where You Will Work

Chino is an open‑pit copper mining complex located 15 miles from the historic mining community of Silver City in southwestern New Mexico. The historic Chino mine was among the world's first low‑grade, open‑pit copper mines. Today, the operation consists of a 36,000‑metric‑ton‑per‑day concentrator that produces copper and a 150-million‑pound‑per‑year solvent extraction/electrowinning plant that produces copper cathode from solution generated by run‑of‑mine leaching.

The community of Silver City boasts various restaurants, arts, entertainment, cliff dwellings, festivals and much more. Residents and visitors enjoy gentle four seasons, with three hundred days of sunshine a year and low humidity. From unique shopping finds in the galleries to everyday groceries, schools and housing, there are numerous amenities for everyone. Visit Silver City to learn more.

What You Will Do

Responsible for leading and overseeing all project controls functions across multiple plant engineering projects at Freeport-McMoRan operating sites. Accountable for developing, implementing, and managing cost estimating, cost control, forecasting, progress measurement, planning and scheduling, and performance reporting processes that support successful project execution. Provides leadership and technical guidance to Cost

Leads/Engineers, Schedulers/Planners, and Quantity Surveyors, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with project objectives. Drives project performance through effective cost and schedule management, proactive risk identification and mitigation, and the implementation of standardized project controls practices across the site project portfolio.

• Lead the development, review, and maintenance of monthly, quarterly, and annual project forecasts, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with current project status. Oversee forecast preparation, validate cost and schedule assumptions, analyze variances, provide variance explanations, and incorporate project risks, opportunities, and funding requirements into forecast updates.
• Ensure the accurate and timely delivery of weekly, monthly, and quarterly project controls reports in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Provide reporting that supports informed decision‑making, effective project management, and performance monitoring.
• Identify, evaluate, and communicate the impact of design changes, scope modifications, and schedule delays on project performance. Partner with the Contracts group to manage the Change Order/PCN Log and maintain the Change Management System for key projects.
• Maintain project schedule baselines and oversee the accuracy of weekly schedule updates in collaboration with project schedulers. Monitor schedule variances, develop recovery strategies, and partner with Quantity Surveyors to track and analyze actual progress against planned performance.
• Ensure compliance with company project controls standards and procedures in the development, review, and validation of project estimates, including the preparation and maintenance of supporting documentation.
• Oversee project progress measurement processes and ensure the accuracy of reported progress percentages in accordance with established rules of credit. Develop and implement progress measurement methodologies for assigned scopes of work.
• Review and validate Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) requests to ensure all required inputs, approvals, and supporting documentation are complete and accurate.
• Manage the site Delegation of Authority (DOA) process, including maintaining project information within EPMS for key projects. Verify budget availability for procurement activities and contract commitments while ensuring compliance with authorization requirements.
• Oversee the development, administration, and maintenance of Service Orders and Payment Applications (Pay Applications) to support effective project execution and financial management.
• Develop and maintain fit‑for‑purpose Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) codes that effectively organize project scope, support cost and schedule control, and enhance project performance tracking and reporting.
• Performs other duties as required

What You Bring To Freeport

• Bachelor’s degree in business related field and eight (8) years of project controls or equivalent work experience OR
• High school diploma or equivalent and twelve (12) years of project controls or equivalent work experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Project and Outlook
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written
• Ability to multi‑task in a high paced project environment
• Experience with ERP system, SAP, P6, and Other Enterprise Project Performance Software
• Understanding of Accounting functions and systems
• Site specific training/MSHA required to work at site

What We Offer You

The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $97,500-$138,000. This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job‑related factors. This role is eligible for additional discretionary and incentive payment considerations based on company and individual performance. More details will be shared during the hiring process.

• Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits
• Company‑paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
• Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted insurance plans for pet, auto, home and vehicle
• Internal progression opportunities
• Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!

What We Require

• Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.
• Candidates must pass all required training and/or testing.
• Employees may be required to work a non‑standard schedule, which may include shift work (other than day shift) at a 24/7, 365‑day operation.
• Freeport‑McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol‑free work environment using mandatory pre‑employment drug testing and on‑going drug and alcohol testing, as allowed by applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please be advised that Freeport‑McMoRan will never request payment for job‑related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to [e-mail].