Project Manager (Chemicals / Plastics)

Compensation: $90,000 - $120,000 PAID Relocation

Our client is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join their growing team in a Hazleton, PA area to manage VSU for a manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the implementation of new capital projects, process enhancements, root cause analyses (RCA), and smaller-scale initiatives, ensuring successful integration into operations.
• Oversee and manage all stages of installation, qualification, and validation (IQOQPQ) activities.
• Ensure the assessment of current operations is completed and implemented by facilitating risk evaluations (FMEA) to confirm operational readiness.
• Act as a key connection between engineering, operations, and continuous improvement teams to plan, construct, and deploy new capital projects with a focus on efficient start-up and cost management throughout the lifecycle.
• Organize and manage site preparations, ensuring all elements of the operational readiness checklist and deliverables are completed for vertical start-up.
• Define key project success metrics and start-up performance curves, securing approval from leadership.
• Develop and execute a detailed, comprehensive start-up plan in coordination with plant management and other stakeholders.
• Lead and manage team activities by assigning specific tasks to members, ensuring timely and effective completion of start-up activities.
• Align with management to secure support for the start-up plan and maintain clear communication with all involved parties through an established communication strategy.
• Create and execute training programs, material plans, and a Daily Management System (DMS) to achieve long-term operational success.
• Maintain a detailed start-up log to document losses, causes, actions, and resolutions, ensuring thorough records. Conduct post-project review meetings to assess outcomes and lessons learned after the verification phase.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related field is required.
• Proficiency in project management is essential.
• Prior experience in process engineering or continuous improvement is advantageous.
• Proven ability to overcome challenges and persistently drive projects to completion while adhering to timelines.
• 2–5 years of hands-on experience in a fast-paced manufacturing setting is required.
• 1–3 years of direct or indirect involvement in continuous improvement initiatives, with familiarity in methodologies such as FMEA, TPM, VSU, EEM, 5S, 5-Why, SMED, and PM, is necessary.
• Experience in scoping, planning, and executing capital expenditure (CapEx) projects is required.
• Background in maintenance strategies, including Time-Based Maintenance (TBM) and Total Predictive Maintenance (TPM) and/or (LSS) Lean Six Sigma
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail are mandatory.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to various audiences, practice active listening, and provide constructive feedback, are crucial.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with the capacity to inspire and guide teams effectively.
• Flexibility to adjust and respond to shifting priorities as needed.