Senior Project Manager

Overview

Are you looking to work for an award-winning industrial automation solutions provider that delivers complex projects designed to improve data capture, digital ecosystems and integrated solutions for industrial customers seeking increased visibility into their operations? If this sounds like you, Cogent Industrial Technologies has an immediate opening for a Automation & Controls Engineer / Technologist.

Founded in 2005 and acquired by Kadant Inc. in 2020, Cogent has a global client base of customers engaged in industrial manufacturing. We are strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of businesses adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector including: the internet of things (IoT); the industrial internet of things (IIoT); cyber-physical systems (CPS); smart manufacturing; cloud computing; cognitive computing; and artificial intelligence.

Cogent’s technologies are primarily utilized by companies producing wood products including pellets, engineered wood, and pulp and paper. Additional industries serviced also include utilities and facilities. The Company has an established reputation as a leader in industrial technology solutions, and with the support of Kadant, Cogent is poised for significant growth. Today, Cogent employs 20 staff and has the mandate to double in size over the course of the next two years.

Why work at Cogent Industrial Technologies?

Cogent is committed to the advancement of a more sustainable world through a triple bottom line approach to all aspects of their business. Cogent continually strives to build a culture and business that is rooted in integrity, transparency, community, and environmental sustainability. We balance economic growth with a focus on environmental and social responsibility which includes:

1. Economic Responsibility: The economic bottom line examines the ability to maintain a sustainable, productive, and profitable business while providing value to stakeholders and clients.
2. Environmental Responsibility: The environmental bottom line examines how Cogent manages their footprint as a company and how it responds to pressing environmental concerns.
3. Social Responsibility: The social bottom line examines how Cogent guarantees the well-being of its people as well as the people in the community they support.

Responsibilities

In response to business growth, Cogent requires an experienced Project Manager (PM) to join the expanding Project Management Office. The PM will manage a team of project resources on a range of projects in the Engineered Wood and Biomass Processing sectors. The Project Manager is responsible for leading and exemplifying the standards of practice for the PMO and will oversee the full-cycle management of multiple concurrent projects, developing and maintaining client relationships, and effectively leading engineering teams to fulfill project needs while ensuring the projects are executed to the standards and quality that defines Cogent.

The successful candidate will have strong technical acumen with at least seven years of progressive industrial experience in project management roles. Experience managing multimillion dollar projects, leading teams, and collaborating with clients are all critical skills for the role. Candidates should have experience with both modernization projects and large greenfield installations. Successful candidates will have a proven track record of delivering projects in a safe, efficient, and effective manner.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Maintaining and demonstrating the PMO’s standards of practice including a commitment to safety, corporate social responsibility, and core values.
• Developing and executing approved project plans.
• Developing and overseeing delivery of a full list of deliverables for electrical power and automation projects.
• Identifying changes in project scope; professionally negotiating change orders with clients.
• Providing status updates and project projections regarding designs, compliance, and commissioning milestones including budget, quality, and schedule.
• Leading projects and engineering resources to ensure technical solutions meet client requirements.
• Following Cogent’s project execution methodologies and ensuring the project team is following quality standards and procedures related to project execution (i.e. drawing reviews, objective setting and tracking, etc.)
• Managing Scope, Schedule, and Quality to meet project expectations.
• Identify, plan for, and mitigate risks.
• Managing resource assignments and utilization on projects.
• Participating in continuous improvement initiatives towards our PMO standards and processes.
• Demonstrating effective leadership of technical project teams including third-party contractors.
• Leading with a strong commitment to quality and engineering design processes.
• Managing technical projects through the entire project cycle including initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, commissioning, and closing phases.
• Managing a portfolio of small to large multimillion dollar projects.
• Working across all engineering disciplines within projects to coordinate and align project stakeholders from project feasibility through engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup.
• Cultivating strong relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Transferring learning from project implementation into the improvement of PMO best practices.
• Participating in strategic project reviews as required to continuously assess and improve Cogent’s execution strategies.

DEFINING SUCCESS

Critical success factors for the Project Manager within the first 12 months include:

• Developing a deep understanding of the dynamics in Cogent, its culture, values, and needs of their client base.
• Demonstrating an ability to perform within a smaller, entrepreneurial team environment with limited resources through collaboration, relationship building and teamwork.
• Building trust and credibility among the PMO and technical teams, as well as with senior management.
• Ensuring that deadlines are met by working collaboratively with the technical team and third-party contractors.
• Continuing to assess and identify areas for PMO process improvement.
• Sharing a passion for establishing the Company as a global leader in project management and industrial automation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates will join Cogent with extensive project management experience overseeing the installation of automation, instrumentation, or machine control systems. Candidates will have previous experience working for a smaller business entity and an ability to easily adapt between tactical and strategic responsibilities. Additional qualifications include:

Technical

• Over seven years of technical experience with a minimum of five years of previous project management experience in the field of electrical power and automation for industrial projects.
• Previous experience providing project management for the successful completion of projects, including scoping, and planning of projects related to brownfield plant modernization and commissioning.
• Minimum five years project experience as an electrical or automation engineer, with broad knowledge of power systems, automation systems, industrial networks, including design, installation, and commissioning.
• A demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects, build relationships and coordinate technical engineering inputs aligned with quality standards.
• Previous experience operating in a dynamic and cross-functional role requiring deep technical understanding, budgeting, team leadership, and hands on project management.
• Extensive stakeholder management experience and comfortable communicating with teams internally and externally with clients.
• An ability to manage competing demands while remaining flexible and able to empower others.
• Experience creating and making project management presentations and proven capabilities in writing reports and technical communications.
• Strong organizational, project management, and execution skills, including financial analysis.
• Proficient in design software as well as document control software.
• A commitment to continued professional development including continuously improving their knowledge of Cogent technology and emerging technologies of control systems, programming, instrumentation, and evolving electrical codes and practices on a global scale.
• Previous experience developing a PMO, and best practices is considered an asset.

Professional and Personal Characteristics

• A strong commitment to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety when on site and working with clients.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively in a highly interactive team environment and establish positive relationships with all project stakeholders.
• A results-driven, motivated approach capable of delivering thoughtful advice to senior leadership and project stakeholders.
• Exceptional decision-making skills, demonstrating both a strategic and tactical approach to overcoming challenges and identifying opportunities.
• Demonstrated skills managing multiple priorities while maintaining poise in difficult situations.
• An effective collaborator who can consider various perspectives while having the confidence to be decisive and drive the execution of the plan.
• Proven ability to influence the outcome of multiple objectives in an efficient and effective, and positive manner.
• Team player with the ability and willingness to assume a hands-on role along with the ability to interact at levels of an organization.
• Creative and critical thinking skills with the ability to assess situations and opportunities effectively and accurately.
• Ability to identify and implement innovation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining poise in difficult situations.
• Highly motivated and organized self-starter who thrives in a goal-oriented and deadline driven business culture.
• Maturity to deliver and receive feedback in a fair, candid, and professional manner.
• Create a positive and motivational work environment for the project teams that encourages collaboration and individuality.

TRAVEL

The Project Manager is required to travel to projects and to meet with clients. Travel expectations are approximately 25 percent. The candidate is expected to be comfortable working in a dynamic office environment and will be provided the necessary technology and support to effectively execute regardless of location.

Qualifications

The successful candidate has completed a diploma or undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or related discipline and/or has obtained relevant industry certifications or designations. Any industrial programming certificates are considered an asset. All academic degrees and professional qualifications are subject to verification by an independent third-party service provider.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

The successful candidate has completed an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or related discipline and/or has obtained relevant industry certifications or designations. A Project Management Professional (PMP) designation is considered an asset. All academic degrees and professional qualifications are subject to verification by an independent third-party service provider.

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