Project Engineering Manager

Primary Responsibility:

The Project Engineering Manager is responsible for taking approved projects from concept/solutions phase through detailed engineering and into implementation, supporting the program management team with technical expertise and leadership to ensure Americold drives clarity of requirements, accuracy of pricing, and supplier/OEM technical delivery.

They will lead supplier selection (RFP, scorecarding) primarily for Automation Contractor and supporting General Contractor partners, organizing and leading Integrated Detail Engineering (IDE) workshops with internal, external, and customer resources, defining process and systems flows of sites, finalizing budgets and schedules, and supporting the project technically through implementation. This role is responsible for validating the engineering and performance of the equipment, working with the site/field implementation teams and suppliers.

What You'll Do:

• Technical owner of Americold's program implementations, leading internal and external teams through detailed engineering of automation Type I new builds, to deliver the design requirements and business case of the final product
  • This includes automation, construction, refrigeration, and IT systems coordination (WMS and WES) to ensure integrated delivery meets requirements
• Supplier Selection - drive vendor selection of the key leads (AC/GC) and their main sub-contractors to ensure inputs on costs are engineered and delivered by the correct parties
  • Work with Solutions and Design Engineering to create a requirements RFQ package with enough detail to help us select suppliers
  • Complete a scorecard on supplier responses to facilitate team selection
  • Support remaining AC/GC sub-supplier selection; facilitate all electrical, mechanical, packaging, and refrigeration engineering across all contractors to finalize design
• Integrated Detailed Engineering (IDE) - lead this phase of engineering through development of tools and templates appropriate for this phase and each project type, taking the design concept into a deeper level of engineering with suppliers on new or existing land
  • Plan and schedule IDE Workshop sessions, identify resource requirements and ensure their participation, facilitate all related meetings and activities, manage proper usage of process tools and documentation
    • Drive all IDE deliverables to completion - final design and layouts, construction and automation GMPs/firm pricing, revised project schedules and vendor proposals, updated capital budgets and OpEx requirements
  • Lead IT/software functionality discussions to define processes and a Description of Operation (DOO); ensure all WMS, WES and interface functionality is clarified and documented
  • Finalize AC simulations/ emulations to ensure equipment specifications and software can handle hourly volumes and no robotics or automation needs to be added after Detailed Engineering
  • Complete/finalize all engineering in the project not completed in IDE timeline
  • Finalize costs with the GC (General Contractor) and AC (Automation Contractor) via GMP's or Guaranteed Max Price/firm bids
  • Support all requirements for land due diligence to include civil work including geotechnical reports, traffic study, environmental surveys, etc.; support permitting requests with GC's and local municipalities
  • Review and signoff on all final shop drawings for automation and related technical construction trades that impact layout (i.e. fire protection, electrical, refrigeration, etc.)
• Project Management- lead the engineering workstream under the implementation team and program manager, after the detailed engineering phase through commissioning
  • Plan, schedule, budget and execute all integrated design engineering related project activity
  • Manage execution of project technical solution with AC/GC PM's including mitigating change orders
  • Support scope changes or "surprises" in the field that require additional engineering reviews and decision making
  • Review AC's FSD/SFS/design documents etc. and final GC engineering package
  • Track all key milestones and elevate lack of integration or upcoming risks to executive leadership via a risk matrix and opportunities
  • Support legal team in reviewing and finalizing contracts
  • Develop status updates across workstreams, developing a cadence which will provide better visibility including weekly/monthly updates
  • With Commissioning Manager, Review and signoff on all PLC ladder logic, e-stop diagrams and other controls-related items prior to commissioning and testing
  • Facilitate support training of Maintenance team through OEM suppliers, including Train the Trainer, documentation, vendor augmentation, and post go-live support
  • Provide weekly status reports to PMO as required
  • Transition and handoff to a Systems Integration Manager in the field
  • Support Type II and III projects as needed (new build Construction w/o automation and current site retrofits)

What Experience and Education You Need :

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Logistics, or related field
  1. 10+ years of demonstrated Engineering Design, Project Management and/or Implementation experience in the fields of warehouse automation, operations and/or logistics required
     Ideal mix would have 5+ years of design and an additional 5+ years of implementation
  2. Experience in "new builds/greenfields", working with construction or general contractors a plus
• 7+ years of project management experience; PMP/PMI certification desired or similar levels of program/project management education
• 8+ years of experience using AutoCAD (or other 2D & 3D design software) for detailed mechanical designs and approvals
• Operations management experience desired; proven experience inside a distribution center and leadership or other role through two or more go-lives
• Successful track record managing multiple high priority capital investment ($10M+) and customer implementations using project/program management methods and tools
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft applications to include Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and VISIO (and other process documentation tools)
• Experience using collaboration tools such as Teams, SmartSheets, Jira, SharePoint and/or Box
• Knowledge and skills using AutoCAD software is a plus

What Could Set You Apart :

• Proven leadership and understanding of automation technologies, robotics, and application engineering, specifically around pallet, layer, case and each handling in the grocery/temp-controlled environment
  Strong Project Management acumen
• Strong facility layout and design engineering skills in a variety of verticals and channels, including analytic skills, detailed in validating dimensional drawing packages and identifying conflicts
• Capacity to anticipate, comprehend and manage project dependencies across work streams
• Ability to communicate professionally, both written and verbal with individuals at all levels of the organization, external contacts, customers and potential customers
• Strong ability to work cross-functionally with a variety of stakeholders and develop a solution-oriented approach
• Demonstrates a results-based leadership style with strong impact and influencing skills
• Ability to communicate effectively to direct and motivate team and others, maintaining a persuasive and credible presentation style at all levels of the organization
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills
• Possess a proactive approach with strong customer service orientation
• Demonstrates uncompromising level of integrity and code of ethics and maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Must be able to travel at an estimated ~60%-70% of the time to support projects and staff both domestically and internationally
• May need to travel on short notice (same week) to support project initiatives and occasionally for extended periods of time
• Extended travel including weekends may be required during critical times such as facility launches or key construction milestones for multiple weeks

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, with frequent interruptions
• Requires several hours per day of sitting, getting up and down from chairs, and reaching, or bending
• Requires manual dexterity with normal hand and finger movements for typical office work
• Talking, hearing, and seeing are important elements of completing assigned tasks
• Requires frequent travel by automobile and airplane, including international project support
• Requires visiting facility operations in temperatures at or below freezing
• Frequently carries loads related to travel and occasionally lifts, carries, positions, or moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds
• Requires the use of various electronic tools
• Occasionally works evenings or weekends in order to complete objectives or to attend meetings
• Requires the ability to relate to others beyond giving and receiving instructions: must partner with colleagues without exhibiting behavioral extremes
• Requires the performance of work activities including reasoning, negotiating, instructing, persuading, or speaking with others; and respond appropriately to constructive feedback from executive management

Work Environment :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Company's good-faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting for this position is $135,000 - $169,000 annually. Rate may vary based on work location.

Americold is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and complies with applicable employment laws.

EOE/AA M/F/D/V DFW

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ABOUT US

Americold is a global provider of temperature-controlled infrastructure. We partner with farmers and food producers to ensure their perishable and frozen product reaches foods suppliers, restaurants, and your local grocery store without spoilage. Our customers, which include some of the most respected brands in the food industry, rely on our expertise and commitment to safety in order to deliver on their commitments.