Project Services Manager - Nikkiso Cryogenic Industries

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, services, and solutions for the LNG and industrial gases industry. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over $1.5 B in annual revenue, 8000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nikkiso Energy Infrastructure & Strategic Projects (NESP) is a functional unit of Nikkiso CE&IG that develops and executes turnkey EPC projects (> US$10 MM) globally. NESP designs, integrates, and fabricates complete energy infrastructure projects and cryogenic plants.

JOB SUMMARY:

A senior project management position in charge of developing and executing turnkey installation projects (> US$10 MM) globally for the Nikkiso Energy Infrastructure & Strategic Projects functional unit.

The job holder needs to be an experienced professional broadly versed in all areas of EPC methods associated with heavy industrial and energy infrastructure projects, which typically consist of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, turbomachinery, air separation process systems, liquefaction plants, tank farms, and bulk distribution facilities.

This position reports to the Director of Project Management. The role location can be based in Houston, TX. Remote flexibility is available, but the job holder is expected to support projects across multiple global sites.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Management Responsibility:

• Assist the Director of Project Management in coordinating and overseeing day to day project activities and “real-time” evaluation of project performance and resources needed.
• Lead and manage a Project Services Team comprised of cost estimator, scheduler, procurement expeditor and technical writers to support the Application Engineering team and the Project Execution team in planning, executing, controlling, monitoring, and closing projects consistently.
• Assign individual responsibilities and enforce accountability, control and monitor budgets and schedules to ensure successful completion of projects.
• Responsible for continuously expanding and updating project management knowledge and honing training skills in order to enhance individual and team growth and productivity.
• For the duration of the project lifecycle, from project selection to handover to execution, the Project Services Team is established, with the explicit purpose of supporting the Application Engineering team and the Project Execution team at key Project Delivery Gates so as to assure that the applicable rules and best practices of the Nikkiso’s project management system are followed.

Project Control Duties:

• Estimate and develop detailed resource loaded project budget and schedule, including the identification of major milestones, decision points, project life-cycle and other project events.
• Integrate multiple estimates and schedules into a master project plan to establish baseline budget and schedule that defines an appropriate Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in line with the adopted project development and project delivery strategy.
• Employ Earned Value Management (EVM) methodologies and tools to provide continuous tracking and accurate forecasts of project performance (e.g. Budget at Completion (BAC), Cost Performance Index (CPI), Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Estimate at Completion (EAC), and Estimate to Complete (ETC)).
• Identify activities impacting the schedule’s critical path and facilitate the development and implementation of rectification measures.
• Manage and verify changes to the project scope, budget and schedule in order to keep the master project plan accurate, updated, and reflective of authorized project changes as defined in the change management plan and facilitate stakeholder acceptance.
• Manage the end to end life cycle of all purchases, including processing purchase requisitions (PRs), expediting POs as required, ensuring timely receipt creation for all purchase orders (POs) and reviewing invoice variances.
• Maintain effective communication with the Project Team and provide accurate, reliable and timely information to stakeholders both internal and external to the project organization.
• Manage project reporting and resolution of issues, safety protocols, risks and dependencies, proactively identifying potential planning gaps, mitigations to risks, actions to close issues or complete open items.
• Chair/facilitate project status review meetings, update project communications and reports to coordinate adjustments with functional and operational leadership.
• Maintain standard project management documentation and metrics.

Additional Project Support Duties:

• During Application Engineering Phase:
  • Support Nikkiso’s sales companies in delivering consistent, high-quality proposals and participate in customer meetings to establish technical criteria.
  • Interface with project stakeholders to ensure alignment of Design Basis, Scope of Work, Split of Responsibilities, Risks and Opportunities, and Execution Strategy.
  • Provide capital estimates with the appropriate accuracy (AACE Class I to V) for proposed projects.
  • Identify a competitive and comprehensive offering, including formulating a winning proposal and execution plan.
  • Manage the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) process involving Nikkiso’s sales companies to translate RFP performance requirements into well-defined technical specifications.
  • Assure and verify the final engineering solution with the support of the Product Managers and Engineering Managers from the corresponding functional units.
  • Coordinate visits to plant sites as required to survey local conditions and secure information for preparing detailed engineering packages (PFDs, P&IDs, SLDs, Plot Plans etc.) to be performed by 3rd party engineering firms.
  • Oversee integration of all individual unit operations into a comprehensive system.
  • Work closely with Alliance Partners, Suppliers and Vendors to obtain competitive prices for equipment and services needed by the project.
  • Assist Contractors in understanding contract requirements and evaluate the contractor’s proposal against those requirements as a part of the bid evaluation process.
  • Understand the terms and scope of the contract as it applies to the project and work closely with the Lead Buyer from Supply Chain Management to negotiate a tight and enforceable contract.

• During Project Execution Phase:
  • Apply PMI project management tools and techniques to ensure all signed projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, meet contracts and executed to completion safely.
  • Oversee the management of cross-functional project teams by communicating and monitoring progress against established baselines.
  • Actively follow, maintain, and update the project execution plan, including risks and opportunities.
  • Manage customer/vendor project scope delineations, interfaces, and battery limits and manage the change order process when deviations are identified.
  • Perform jobsite inspections to understand the scope of project and identifying any issues with project impacts.
  • Attend construction related meetings to support project related functions.
  • Participate in qualifying contractors/vendors, negotiating pricing and standard terms and conditions.
  • Coordinate with contractors and customers to manage on-site construction activities and provide oversight during the installation and startup phase of projects.
  • Provide management reports, including progressive project status reporting and expenditure forecasts.
  • Ensure the project is closed properly, including project document preparation, processing of purchasing invoices and document transfer to operating staff.
  • Participate in lessons-learned sessions to assist with settling disputes, claims, etc. and promote continuous improvement and best project management practices.
  • Work onsite with contractors for progress billing submittals.
  • Build and maintain relationships with crews, vendors, and subcontractors, ensuring projects are completed safely and timely.
  • Assist Project Manager with customer correspondence, reporting, and project planning.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform the job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the required knowledge, skill, and ability.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering
  • the ideal candidate will have a thorough knowledge of either Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, and
  • already familiar with the range of technologies (compression, refrigeration, purification, instrumentation, electrical, controls, etc.) used by Cryogenic Plants, gas processing plants, and hydrogen/ammonia production facilities.
• At least twelve (12) years of industrial gas experience.
• An ideal candidate will have the following:
  • Experience with managing projects from the cradle to the grave and understanding all of the related challenges in the entire project life cycle.
  • Prior experience with project performance tracking techniques such as Earned Value Management (EVM) is a must.
  • Strong cultural competency skills knowing how to communicate, work and thrive with colleagues and customers in a multicultural workspace.
• Fluent in English
  • Spoken and written.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel occasionally (1-33% of work time)

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint)
• Proficient in Microsoft Project with schedule management skills for preparation of Gantt Charts
• Proficient in reading and understanding P&ID’s, electrical one line diagram and site layout drawings.

CRITICAL SKILLS:

• Always act with personal integrity and transparency
• Superior interpersonal and demonstrated facilitation skills, including the ability to motivate and influence others, build effective interpersonal relationships, and be able to foster and contribute to a positive and productive team environment.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment.
• Able to make timely decisions and manage multiple tasks and prioritize/delegate work effectively.
• Able to communicate with project stakeholders effectively.
• Adept at negotiating EPC contracts.
• Able to interpret and apply applicable construction codes including National Electrical code, UL, International Fire Code, International Building Code, OSHA, Life Safety codes, ASME standards, and CGA standards or equivalent codes in foreign countries.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Preferred
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Preferred
• Professional Engineering License (PE) Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Nikkiso CE&IG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.