PROJECT MANAGER

Description

Brief Overview

South Dakota Soybean Processors’ Project Manager plans, coordinates, and executes assigned capital and improvement projects from initial concept through commissioning and closeout. This role provides project leadership and technical support; develops scopes, budgets, schedules, and bid documents; coordinates employees, contractors, consultants, and vendors; manages project changes and documentation; and ensures work is completed safely, on time, within budget, and in accordance with company standards.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage assigned capital projects from concept through completion, including scope development, feasibility evaluation, cost estimating, budget authorization, detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup support, and project closeout.
• Develop and maintain project execution plans, schedules, budgets, cash-flow forecasts, risk registers, action lists, and status reports; communicate progress, decisions, risks, and required support to the Project Manager and project stakeholders.
• Coordinate project-specific teams of employees, contractors, consultants, suppliers, and service providers; establish responsibilities, lead project meetings, track commitments, and drive timely resolution of issues.
• Administer professional services, equipment, and construction contracts, including requests for proposals, bid evaluations, purchase recommendations, submittal reviews, progress verification, change management, invoice review, and contractor performance.
• Oversee engineering design and field construction activities to ensure work meets scope, company engineering standards, applicable codes, safety and food safety requirements, and operational needs.
• Provide technical support for equipment specifications, process improvements, constructability reviews, troubleshooting, and startup activities; proactively identify and resolve project issues. 
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, EHS, Quality, Accounting, Procurement, and IT to define requirements, coordinate plant impacts, manage shutdown work, and support successful turnover.
• Control project costs and demonstrate responsible stewardship of resources through competitive sourcing, effective purchasing, accurate forecasting, and timely identification of cost or schedule variances.
• Maintain complete project documentation, including drawings, specifications, contracts, permits, meeting notes, change records, equipment manuals, commissioning documents, and final as-built information.
• Prioritize safety in all project and construction activities; communicate expectations to employees and third parties, participate in hazard reviews, and verify planning and controls are in place before work begins.
• Support continuous improvement efforts that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, quality, capacity, and cost performance; comply with SDSP’s SQF food safety program, policies, and applicable requirements; and perform additional responsibilities as needed to support the organization.
• Apply engineering principles and tools to develop process designs, calculations, equipment specifications, layouts, control narratives, and technical recommendations for plant improvements and capital projects. 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related technical discipline. An equivalent combination of education, project experience, and relevant technical experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
• Three or more years of experience managing industrial capital, construction, or process improvement projects is preferred; experience in soybean processing, food manufacturing, agricultural processing, or a similar continuous-process facility is beneficial.
• Working knowledge of project controls, cost estimating, scheduling, procurement, construction practices, and applicable federal, state, and local building codes and safety requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving, planning, organization, and analytical thinking skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing conditions, make sound decisions, and drive work to completion.
• Effective and professional communication through speaking, writing, and listening, with demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, contractors, consultants, and vendors.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.   
• Must be able to drive and occasionally travel overnight for work purposes, requiring a valid state driver’s license and insurance.

Requirements

Physical Requirements

Must Possess the Ability to Do the Following Occasionally:

• Bend, squat, and kneel 
• Stand, walk, climb ladders/stairs
• Push/Pull/Carry/Lift 25-50lbs

Working Conditions

• The majority of work is carried out in an office environment.  
• Occasionally, may be exposed to excessive noise, dust or fumes, and marked changes in temperature.
• Occasionally, may work around moving machinery, high structures, and confined spaces.
• Work may require travel, evening, and weekend work.