Project Manager – R&D Construction Projects

About the Role

• We are seeking a highly experienced and results-driven Project Manager to lead the end-to-end execution of construction projects for a new Research & Development (R&D) building, a pilot chemical plant, and a demonstration chemical plant.
• This role oversees the full project lifecycle-from scope definition, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) through to commissioning and handover-ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and safety.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Ensure that clear and complete scopes, schedules, and budgets are prepared and accepted by stakeholders for all assigned projects.
• Develop and document a project execution plan for each project, scaled to its size and complexity, and manage projects through all phase - engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC).
• Lead projects from the initial quotation/definition phase through design, validation, and delivery, including commissioning and final handover.
• Manage projects across the assigned area, including overseeing engineers and workmen development, planning and scheduling resources, and ensuring quality work.

Stakeholder & Team Coordination

• Serve as the primary contact for project communication and coordination, balancing client needs with departmental and management objectives.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, external agencies, architects, engineering firms, and contractors to ensure optimum asset utilization.
• Assemble and coordinate project staff, define project tasks, and allocate resources effectively.
• Closely collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, engineering, quality control, procurement, and regulatory.

Cost, Schedule, Quality & Safety

• Take full responsibility for costs, quality, safety, and schedule within the scope of each project.
• Monitor time schedules diligently and implement corrective measures to resolve project issues.
• Ensure project deliverables are conducted to agreed timelines, budget, scope, and quality agreements-delivered on time and within budget.
• Support and manage risk analysis, regulatory compliance, and project controlling.

Scale-Up & Career Progression Focus

• Manage the successful construction and commissioning of the pilot plant and demonstration plant, which serve as critical validation platforms for process scale-up toward commercial production.
• Establish stable, continuous operational processes and quality management during pilot/demonstration phase construction to support future scale-up.
• Upon successful implementation of the R&D building, pilot plant, and demonstration plant, transition to managing construction projects for commercial-scale chemical plants, applying lessons learned and scaled-up technologies.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

Experience

• Experience with pilot plants and scale-up/demonstration projects is highly desirable, given the progression to commercial plant construction.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in research related or petrochemical/chemical plant projects, including all project phases (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction).
• Proven experience managing $10mil-100mil construction projects .
• Prior experience leading projects from the definition phase through design, execution, qualification, and administrative closure.

Skills & Competencies

• Fluency in English and Mandarin as a working language (additional languages a plus).
• Strong leadership and cross-cultural communication skills, able to lead teams to outstanding results.
• Excellent command of project management methodologies, including scheduling, budgeting, risk assessment, and reporting.
• Ability to translate business requirements into project actions and deliverables.
• Proficient in project management tools and software (e.g., MS Office, scheduling tools, SAP modules).