Project Manager - Jefferson Hills, PA

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

This role is onsite - Chemical Manufacturing facility in Jefferson Hills, PA

Seeking an experienced certified Project Manager to work in a fast-paced plant. Overseeing comprehensive portfolio of projects averaging $8 million annually.

Position Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for leading the planning, design, procurement, and execution of capital and improvement projects at the Synthomer Jefferson Hills chemical manufacturing site. This role ensures projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in alignment with Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements and Synthomer’s project governance standards. The Project Manager collaborates closely with Operations, Maintenance, SHE, Supply Chain, Finance, and Corporate Engineering to ensure successful project outcomes and long‑term asset reliability.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead the full lifecycle of capital projects from concept through startup and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Ensure adherence to Synthomer’s project management processes, FEL/stage‑gate requirements, and engineering standards.
• Coordinate internal and external resources (engineering firms, contractors, suppliers).
• Track and resolve issues impacting cost, schedule, or scope; escalate as appropriate.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all projects are executed in compliance with OSHA PSM standards, site safety rules, and environmental regulations.
• Prepare and maintain PSM documentation including MOCs, PSSRs, PHAs, and technical reviews.
• Promote a strong safety culture with contractors and cross‑functional teams.

Engineering & Technical Support

• Collaborate with Process, Mechanical, Electrical/Instrumentation, and Operations experts to develop technically sound solutions.
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOPs, constructability assessments, and reliability evaluations.
• Ensure engineering deliverables meet technical requirements and operational needs.

Cost & Schedule Control

• Develop project estimates at each FEL stage and refine them throughout execution.
• Monitor and control spending against approved budgets; manage contingencies.
• Provide regular reporting to the Engineering Manager and Finance (forecasts, cash flow, progress updates).

Contractor & Vendor Management

• Work with Procurement to bid, evaluate, and select suppliers and contractors.
• Manage contractor safety, permitting, work quality, productivity, and progress.
• Ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment.

Stakeholder Communication & Alignment

• Lead regular project meetings with Operations, Maintenance, EHS, and Finance.
• Communicate project risks, changes, and decisions clearly and proactively.
• Align project objectives with site business needs and production requirements.

Startup & Closeout

• Support commissioning, startup planning, operator training, and documentation handoff.
• Conduct post‑project reviews to capture lessons learned and continuous improvement opportunities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or related discipline).
• 3+ years of experience in capital project management in chemical manufacturing, refining, or related industrial environments.
• Working knowledge of PSM (especially MOC, PHA, PSSR, MI).
• Demonstrated experience managing contractors and engineering service providers.
• Strong skills in planning, scheduling, cost control, and risk management.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred

• Experience with polymers, latex, resins, or specialty chemical operations.
• PMP certification or formal project management training.
• Experience with SAP, MS Project, Primavera, or similar project planning tools.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering principles (RCM, RCA, FMEA).
• Experience delivering projects within a stage‑gate governance framework.

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme

• 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes