Project Manager, Construction/Design – Kitchener

For more than five decades, Conestoga Cold Storage Limited has been committed to serving customers across Canada and around the world with reliability and innovation. As a privately owned third-party cold storage company and one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for twenty consecutive years, we take pride not only in our technology but in our people.

With six modern cold storage facilities, we have grown to become Canada’s second-largest service provider in our industry. Our global reputation for excellence in automation and robotics reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and delivering world-class service.

Position Summary: With demonstrated expertise in mechanical design and a deep understanding of design tools, the incumbent will work in a project manager capacity to collaborate closely with construction crews/vendors, structural engineers, refrigeration technicians and operational leadership to deliver energy-efficient, safe, and code-compliant cold storage solutions across both building, maintenance and construction projects. This position is primarily based on-site and requires a hands-on approach as needed to support site activities, maintain quality standards, and uphold the company’s professional standards and reputation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Overall Project Management: Oversee end-to-end project, including both building and construction project activities, making decisions to remain on-time and on-budget, identify and mitigate project risks, and delivery of project outcomes according to specifications/codes.
• Team Leadership: Oversee project team, providing guidance on day-to-day accountabilities and mentoring team members, fostering their growth and development.
• Project Planning & Development: Provide concept drawings of building additions, extensions, and new builds (greenfield), define project scope, deliverables, permit approvals, schedules and budgets.
• Procurement & Contract Management: Prepare tender documents and bid packages; solicit and evaluate contractor and supplier bids, negotiate contracts and manage agreements and track procurement schedules and deliveries.
• Resource & Schedule Management: Develop project schedules, coordinating sequencing of trades, subcontractors, consultants, and suppliers, monitor project progress against schedule.
• Budget & Cost Control: Manage project spend, including change orders, invoicing and payments, and forecasting project costs and cash flow; identify and mitigate budget risks.
• Quality Control & Assurance: Establish quality standards and procedures, conduct reviews and manage deficiencies, warranty issues and corrective actions to ensure compliance with project specifications.
• Stakeholder Communication: Manage positive and proactive relationships with clients, municipalities, utilities and regulatory agencies, addressing concerns. Lead project meetings and progress reviews/report outs.
• Project Closeout: Coordinate inspections and occupancy approvals, maintain as-built drawings and operation manuals, ensure all contractual obligations are completed and conduct project reviews and lessons learned sessions.
• Maintenance Support: Provide support and expertise to Maintenance team and projects as needed.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety: In collaboration with the site supervisor, ensure all projects and designs comply with Canadian safety standards, OSHA regulations, environmental regulations and building codes; coordinate safety orientations and investigate incidents and conduct inspections and site audits.

Key Performance Indicators: include schedule and budget adherence, safety performance, client satisfaction, change order management, risk mitigation effectiveness and quality, productivity and efficiency metrics.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in project management, specifically within the construction, industrial refrigeration, food/beverage processing, or cold storage warehousing.
• Post-secondary diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, with Certified Engineering Technologist designation or equivalent.
• PMP certification is required.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SolidWorks or other design and modelling software.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings with deep understanding of engineering calculations (thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics) and the physical industrial refrigeration systems and material handling systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of building codes, piping codes, construction procedures, regulations, and safety standards, specific to the industrial refrigeration and cold storage warehousing industry.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Self-motivated with proven ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Schedule: 8.5 hour day shift, Monday to Friday, Weekends as required.

Location & Work Arrangement: Primarily based in Halton Hills, Ontario [note: construction sites could be any of our three Ontario locations – ability to work at all three may be a future requirement]. Candidates must be able to reliably commute or relocate prior to starting. On-site position, five days per week.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement: Conestoga Cold Storage is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.