Project Manager/Director

Position Summary

The Project Manager/Director is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution and delivery of major heat exchanger projects. The role ensures that projects are completed safely, on time, within budget and in accordance with all applicable standards. These projects are typically large-scale industrial projects in demanding technology and energy-sector environments.

The Project Manager/Director acts as the local owner of end-to-end delivery for an assigned product line at Kelvion factories. Based at the plant, the role translates global major-project requirements into reliable local execution. This includes delivering the product line according to specification, schedule, committed cost and quality requirements, while maintaining zero harm throughout every stage of the product lifecycle.

The role forms part of a regional network of Project Managers. It applies the standardized project execution model defined for the account, reports in a common format and according to an agreed schedule, and provides accurate data and early warnings so that the account can be managed with no surprises.

This is a cross-functional role without direct line authority over the factory or its departments. Instead, the Project Manager/Director coordinates Manufacturing and Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, EHS, Service and Engineering around the execution plan for the assigned product lines. Responsibilities are clearly divided between the Global Program Director, who is responsible for global governance, and the factory VP Operations, who is responsible for day-to-day plant management.

Overall Objectives

• Deliver consistent and predictable operational performance across all major projects.
• Ensure reliable, surprise-free delivery to key customers for the assigned product lines.
• Minimize escalations to VP level through proactive management.
• Align all sites with EBR performance expectations.
• Act as the operational backbone of strategic major-customer accounts.
• Achieve on-time delivery, quality, cost and EHS targets for the assigned product lines.
• Provide accurate and timely program reporting in the required format and cadence.
• Resolve issues locally or escalate them early through the appropriate channels.
• Ensure full alignment with the account's project standards and governance.
• Coordinate site-level functions effectively around the execution plan.
  
  

Responsibilities And Duties

• Develop and coordinate carefully designed and approved action plans to ensure the successful completion of projects.
• Act as the primary point of contact for operational activities involving Engineering, Sales and the customer.
• Ensure close communication and coordination between all parties regarding project status and milestones.
• Maintain project schedules and report progress during weekly project reviews.
• Work with Supply Chain to identify and order long-lead items in time to support project schedules.
• Oversee project budgets in coordination with the project cost controller.
• Document and communicate project status, obstacles and resolutions to management.
• Lead cross-functional project teams to achieve optimal project execution.
  
  

Operational Program Ownership

• Take ownership of the end-to-end operational execution of major projects across Kelvion facilities within the APAC region.
• Own the delivery of assigned product lines at the factory throughout their lifecycle, from initial product handover and prototype construction to validation, serial production and volume ramp-up where required.
• Oversee multi-site delivery across the region.
• Ensure consistent execution in line with customer commitments relating to delivery, quality and service.
  
  

Factory and Cross-Functional Integration

• Act as the primary interface between the customer and site-level functions, including:
• Manufacturing and Operations
• Supply Chain Management
• Quality
• Engineering
• Project Management
• Align all functions and coordinate their activities in accordance with the defined project execution model.
  
  

Customer Engagement

• Serve as Kelvion's primary operational contact for key customers.
• Translate customer requirements into clear plant-level actions and keep customers informed at the operational level.
• Act as the day-to-day delivery interface between the assigned product line, relevant customer sites and their project management teams.
• Participate in all operational review meetings concerning delivery, quality and service execution.
• Provide structured and consistent operational updates.
  
  

Project Governance and KPI Management

• Establish and manage project-level KPIs aligned with EBR metrics, including:
• On-time delivery
• Manufacturing readiness
• Supply chain performance
• Quality performance
• Customer service and account support
• Ensure consistent data and reporting across all regions and sites.
• Maintain a regional project dashboard.
  
  

Escalation and Issue Resolution

• Own project-level escalations and their resolution.
• Resolve cross-site issues before escalation to VP level.
• Define and enforce escalation pathways across facilities.
• Lead the cross-functional resolution of delivery, quality, service and supply risks.
  
  

Stakeholder Alignment

• Work closely with Regional Commercial Leads and site-level representatives from Project Management, Quality, Supply Chain, Delivery, Service and Engineering.
• Ensure a seamless transition from commercial handover to project execution.
• Maintain clear ownership and accountability across teams.
  
  

Continuous Improvement

• Identify systemic performance gaps across regions.
• Lead improvement initiatives relating to:
• Lead-time reduction
• Cost efficiency
• Process standardization
• Ensure the implementation of EBR-driven improvements.
  
  

EBR Ownership

• Own the operational input for Executive Business Reviews.
• Ensure the accuracy and alignment of information relating to:
• Manufacturing readiness
• Supply chain performance
• Delivery metrics
• Quality metrics
• Track and drive the completion of all EBR action items across sites.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

Ensure that Kelvion's Standard of Excellence, including its quality requirements, is incorporated into every product. Follow all company policies and procedures, including the Global Code of Business Principles, Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, Vision and Values, and the Operational Framework.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Experience developing and facilitating business processes to achieve project objectives.
• Basic knowledge of air coolers and manufacturing supply chains is an advantage.
• Accreditation from a recognized project management organization such as PMI is an advantage.
• A self-motivated, positive and optimistic attitude.
• Strong team orientation and leadership skills, including empathy and the ability to motivate cross-functional teams toward a common objective.
• Persistence, vision and a constructive attitude.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously and set appropriate priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of management.
• Willingness and ability to work on-site and attend work regularly and punctually.
• Ability to perform several tasks concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer skills, including email, record keeping, database activities, word processing, spreadsheets and graphics.
• Experience with Microsoft Project.
• Ability to read and interpret English-language safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals.
• Ability to prepare routine reports and correspondence in English.
• An analytical mindset and the ability to use data to support decision-making.
• Ability to perform business-related mathematical calculations and apply basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to solve practical problems in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret written, verbal, diagrammatic and schedule-based instructions.
• Strong project management skills, including project organization, progress reporting and leadership of cross-functional teams.
• PMP® certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of operations and supply chain processes.
• Ability to optimize processes and related costs.
• Understanding of financial reporting, P&L, cash flow and the impact of projects on the company's financial performance.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Proven leadership experience in customer programs or related areas.
• Extensive experience leading very large-scale projects, preferably in complex industrial, manufacturing or energy-sector environments.
• Proven ability to lead multi-layered, cross-functional organizations of more than 100 employees across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Project Management and customer-facing departments.
• Significant experience managing customer change orders, including assessing commercial impact, clarifying scope, aligning internal stakeholders, supporting negotiations and ensuring disciplined closure.
• Executive presence and credibility when working with C-level customer representatives, senior project sponsors and strategic account leadership teams.
• Advanced conflict-management skills and the ability to resolve disputes involving internal departments, customers, suppliers and sites while protecting delivery, quality, cost and relationship objectives.
• Experience overseeing vendor and supplier networks supporting business or program volumes exceeding EUR 100 million, including supplier performance management, risk mitigation, escalation governance and commercial oversight.
• Strong strategic planning and execution capabilities.
• Excellent leadership and team-management skills.
• Confident communication and strong interpersonal skills at all organizational levels, combined with global cultural awareness.
• Knowledge of customer-experience principles and best practices.
• A flexible, resilient and highly motivated personality with a strong sense of responsibility.
• Openness to improvement and change.
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Engineering, another technical field or Business Administration.
• At least five to eight years of project management experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in project or program delivery at site level.
• Knowledge of manufacturing, operations and supply chain processes.
• Experience with production planning and readiness.
• Understanding of plant-level quality and EHS requirements.
• Experience contributing to project costs and business cases.
• Strong cross-functional coordination skills.
• A disciplined approach to execution and planning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project.
• Experience with program, portfolio and reporting tools.
• Familiarity with CAD and ERP environments is an advantage.
  
  

Work Environment

The work environment described is representative of the conditions an employee may experience while performing the essential duties of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel may be required for up to 30% of working time.

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