Associate Project Manager 1

Valmont Industries, Inc. • Kansas City, MO

15d

About The Position

The Associate Project Manager I (APM I) supports the execution of substation material procurement projects from bid through closeout. This role applies foundational project management, estimating, and substation design knowledge to assist with quoting, material take-offs, procurement, vendor coordination, documentation control, and customer communication. The APM I works closely with Project Managers, vendors, warehouse personnel, and internal stakeholders to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery of materials while maintaining cost, schedule, and quality standards.

Requirements

• Preferred Bachelors or Associates Degree with 3+ years of experience or 5+ years of experience
• Basic understanding of electrical substation design, materials, and construction practices.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and RFP/RFQ documents.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with project tracking spreadsheets preferred.
• Experience working with vendors, procurement processes, or construction-related material management preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Proven ability to perform material take-offs and BOM creation from bid-level or IFC drawings.
• Strong working knowledge of substation materials and components (steel, major equipment, bus & conductor, connectors).
• Experience reviewing RFP/RFQ documents, technical specifications, and managing clarifications/deviations.
• Hands-on experience with vendor quotes, procurement, and purchase orders.
• Proficiency in Excel for cost tracking and forecasting; AutoCAD experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and communication skills in a fast-paced, multi-project environment.

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of the quoting process to support project estimates based on RFP/RFQ documents, technical specifications, and drawings.
• Complete RFQ forms and clearly document clarifications as required.
• Complete forms and assist with proposal ranking.
• Create accurate material take-offs from bid-level substation drawings.
• Develop and organize Bills of Materials (BOMs) from substation drawings, including: Item descriptions Manufacturer selection and part numbers BOM organization per RFQ order and standard VSLLC formats (e.g., steel, major equipment, bus & conductor, connectors by type).
• Identify or create electrical details required to complete material take-offs.
• Sketch sections to confirm layouts, one-line compliance, and material accuracy.
• Document quantity take-offs and assemble RFP check packages.
• Perform backchecks on quotes to ensure accuracy of spelling, formulas, totals, pricing validity, lead times, freight, bolt quantities, and material descriptions.
• Ensure all deviations from RFQ documents are clearly and concisely stated in clarifications, minimizing exceptions whenever possible.
• Deliver complete, professional, client-ready quotes to the Project Manager for final review.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with manufacturers, sales representatives, and vendors.
• Ensure quote requests include all required drawings, specifications, and material descriptions.
• Review vendor quotes to confirm compliance with RFQ requirements, technical specifications, drawings, freight terms, and lead times.
• Upon receipt of customer purchase orders, confirm vendor pricing and lead times.
• Prepare and verify purchase orders to ensure alignment with vendor quotes for pricing, lead time, freight quantities, and part numbers.
• Authorized to approve and sign purchase orders
• Approve vendor invoices related to signed purchase orders without additional PM or supervisor approval.
• Obtain PM approval and PCARD authorization for online purchases, in-person purchases, or new vendors not yet established in the system.
• Use vendor Order Acknowledgements to develop project-specific delivery schedules.
• Coordinate with warehouse personnel to schedule inbound and outbound material shipments.
• Create packing lists for VSLLC-marshalled material and materials shipped directly to site.
• Verify packing lists using vendor Bills of Lading and packing documentation.
• Provide customers with delivery notifications via email and phone
• Provide clients with monthly or as-requested schedule updates.
• Coordinate with the Business Manager to generate project invoices.
• Confirm invoiced materials have shipped complete.
• Maintain and provide monthly spreadsheets tracking purchase orders, costs, and invoicing totals.
• Forecast costs and invoicing three months forward for assigned projects.

Benefits

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree