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).