Senior Project Manager

Kern Energy•Bakersfield, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Kern is hiring a Senior Project Manager who will assume full ownership of major capital projects both currently in late-stage detailed engineering and active procurement and early engineering stage projects. This role is responsible for driving the project through permitting, construction, commissioning, and startup while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, cost control, and schedule adherence. To be successful, this position will also exhibit Kern’s core values of Teamwork, Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Connection. This position requires a highly experienced leader capable of managing complex interfaces between refinery operations, engineering contractors, equipment fabricators, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring strong execution discipline, permitting expertise, and the ability to lead a multidisciplinary team through project completion. Assume full project lifecycle ownership of large capital projects from detailed design through commissioning and startup. Oversee the development and execution of project plans, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Monitor project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure the project execution work process is adhered to. Proactively identify and address potential risks and challenges, implementing effective mitigation strategies. Manage project milestones and interfaces between contractors, vendors and refinery teams and projects. Collaborate with contract engineers (EPCs), fabricators, and internal stakeholders to integrate Kern Energy’s project and cost management work processes. Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements to drive continuous improvement in project methodologies. Review of equipment, piping, instrumentation, and project designs to ensure adherence to Kern Energy standards and project goals. Maintain and drive project schedule, costs, and risks to identify critical path items and potential mitigation strategies. Provide timely and accurate project status reports on schedule, risks, and costs. Generate and see to completion ‘Management of Change’ (MOCs) for their assigned projects. Maintain and ensure complete information packages to satisfy process safety information requirements for Process safety management program. Verify and finalize components of engineering work packages including specialty items, tie lists, line lists, and related isometrics. Assist with incident investigations as required. Resolve PHA action items as required. Support construction activities, including resolving issues in the field. Support turnaround activities as required. Follow through on commitments made to others. Create and maintain a neat, clean well-organized, and professional-looking work area.

Requirements

Strong project management skills, including experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring projects.
Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (PIDs).
Strong knowledge of ASME and API piping and pressure vessel codes, NFPA, and other related industry codes involving, QA/QC, reliability, heat exchangers, and fixed equipment.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with vendors and stakeholders.
Knowledge of engineering principles, practices, industry standards, and regulations.
Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and manage teams effectively.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and mitigate project risks.
Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines.
Knowledge of the fundamentals of project management front-end engineering and project planning and scheduling required.
Proficiency in project management software and tools, such as Microsoft Project.
Experience in developing project plans and timelines, creating project scopes, identifying project risks, and developing contingency plans.
Designing and developing project specifications, including engineering and architectural plans, cost estimates, and project schedules.
Ability to generate hand-drawn field sketches.
Managing project resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials, to ensure that the project stays on schedule and within budget.
Monitoring project progress, identify and mitigate risks, and report on progress to stakeholders.
Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, understand their needs and expectations, and ensure that projects meet their requirements.
Supervise project teams, including engineers, technicians, and other professionals, to ensure that they work effectively together and deliver quality work.
Up to date with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
A minimum of 10 years of experience as a project manager, preferably in refineries, petrochemicals, or related industries.
Experience managing complex engineering projects, preferably in the Refining Industry.
Proven experience managing large capital project ($50MM+) through execution and startup.
Experience managing EPC contractors and complex multi-party project environments.
Strong understanding of construction in operating facilities.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Piping isometrics and a general knowledge of AutoCAD or equivalent is desirable.

Responsibilities

Assume full project lifecycle ownership of large capital projects from detailed design through commissioning and startup.
Oversee the development and execution of project plans, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
Monitor project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure the project execution work process is adhered to.
Proactively identify and address potential risks and challenges, implementing effective mitigation strategies.
Manage project milestones and interfaces between contractors, vendors and refinery teams and projects.
Collaborate with contract engineers (EPCs), fabricators, and internal stakeholders to integrate Kern Energy’s project and cost management work processes.
Stay abreast of industry trends and advancements to drive continuous improvement in project methodologies.
Review of equipment, piping, instrumentation, and project designs to ensure adherence to Kern Energy standards and project goals.
Maintain and drive project schedule, costs, and risks to identify critical path items and potential mitigation strategies.
Provide timely and accurate project status reports on schedule, risks, and costs.
Generate and see to completion ‘Management of Change’ (MOCs) for their assigned projects.
Maintain and ensure complete information packages to satisfy process safety information requirements for Process safety management program.
Verify and finalize components of engineering work packages including specialty items, tie lists, line lists, and related isometrics.
Assist with incident investigations as required.
Resolve PHA action items as required.
Support construction activities, including resolving issues in the field.
Support turnaround activities as required.
Follow through on commitments made to others.
Create and maintain a neat, clean well-organized, and professional-looking work area.
Other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
Mentor and guide a diverse team of engineers, operators, and inspectors, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
Develop and communicate a clear project vision, goals, and objectives to the team.
Utilize deep technical knowledge to guide the team in solving complex engineering challenges.
Effectively allocate resources, including personnel and equipment, to optimize project outcomes.
Foster a culture of accountability and efficiency within the project team.
Mentor team members on project execution and cost management.
Deliver monthly engineering project status reports.
Provide oversight and leadership to all engineering projects.
Ensure projects are executed in a timely and professional manner.