Project Manager

Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC•Council Bluffs, IA

17d•$110,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager owns delivery of all projects at the plant, ranging from small maintenance and process-improvement projects to large capital and construction projects. Projects are expected to be completed on budget, on schedule, and within scope, with tight budget control as the top priority. The role uses project controls to establish realistic baselines, track cost and schedule, control changes, and complete project closeout. The position manages projects from initial definition through commissioning and handover. It works across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Accounting, plant leadership, contractors, and vendors to ensure projects meet safety, quality, cost, and schedule expectations while minimizing production impacts and providing reliable, maintainable equipment. The role also supports annual capital planning and plant-wide cost-reduction efforts. The position is full-time, salaried, and exempt; based onsite in Council Bluffs, Iowa; and reports to the Engineering Manager. A sign-on bonus of up to $2,500 is offered.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (chemical, mechanical, electrical, civil, or agricultural/biological) required.
At least 3 years of experience managing projects in an industrial, manufacturing, or process-plant setting.
Proven record of delivering industrial projects on budget, on schedule, and within scope.
Strong financial skills, including estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and building business cases.
Experience writing bid packages, evaluating bids, and negotiating with contractors.
Ability to manage several projects of varying sizes simultaneously.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort presenting to plant leadership.
Strong leadership skills and desire to grow and manage larger groups.
Organized, disciplined, detail-oriented, and consistent in documentation habits.
Valid driver’s license required.
Experience with scheduling software such as Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Smartsheet, or similar, including baseline schedules and critical-path management.
Advanced Excel skills and experience tracking budgets, commitments, actuals, and forecasts at completion.
Experience using an ERP or CMMS system to create purchase orders and track project costs.
Ability to read and mark up drawings and P&IDs.
Knowledge of work breakdown structures, cost estimating with contingency, stage-gate approvals, change control, risk registers, and formal project closeout.

Nice To Haves

Earned value management experience, including cost and schedule performance.
Experience with Procore or similar construction-management software.
AutoCAD experience.
Experience managing projects over $1 million; experience with projects over $10 million is a plus.
PMP certification, or willingness to obtain it within two years.
EIT or PE credential.
Ethanol, renewable-fuels, or other process-industry experience.

Responsibilities

Manage plant projects from start to finish, including capital, construction, equipment installation, process improvement, and shutdown/outage projects.
Define project scope, develop cost estimates, and prepare business cases for management approval.
Build and manage project budgets and schedules; track costs and progress and report status to the Engineering Manager and plant leadership.
Run a formal change-control process to prevent scope creep and keep projects on budget and schedule.
Prepare bid packages, evaluate competitive bids, negotiate contracts, and develop a network of qualified contractors and vendors.
Oversee onsite contractors and hold them accountable for safety, quality, cost, and schedule.
Identify and manage project risks and enforce SIRE safety requirements and processes, including MOC and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews.
Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, and Accounting to minimize production impacts and ensure new equipment is reliable and maintainable.
Complete project closeout, including commissioning, final costs, updated drawings, and documentation handover to Maintenance and Operations.
Lead cross-functional project teams and support annual capital planning and plant-wide cost-reduction efforts.

Benefits

Sign-on bonus up to $2,500.
Competitive salary and bonus compensation.
Family medical, dental, and vision benefits, including a 100% company-paid medical premium option and $0-copay telehealth.
HSA and FSA options.
Quarterly bonuses up to 15%.
Paid time off accrual starting on day one, up to three weeks in the first year.
10 paid holidays.
401(k) contributions up to 6%.
Short- and long-term disability insurance and life insurance.
Paid parental and bereavement leave.
Training, skill-based pay increases, and career development.
Company events, employee appreciation, and SIRE swag.
Opportunities for long-term career growth.