Contract Duration: 12 months (with potential extension)
Compensation: ~$200,000 annually (potentially higher, DOE)
Reporting To: Site Manager
Location: Proctor, West Virginia
Industry: Chemicals / Petrochemicals / Food Ingredients
A global chemical manufacturing organization is executing a major greenfield investment (~$180MM) at its Proctor, West Virginia facility. The site is in an advanced stage of construction and represents Phase I of a multi-phase expansion planned for the same location.
This project involves the startup of a state-of-the-art continuous process manufacturing operation producing specialty chemical and food ingredient products. Safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence are core to the organization’s culture.
We are seeking a highly experienced Commissioning Manager for a 12-month contract engagement to lead all commissioning and startup activities for a new greenfield chemical manufacturing facility.
This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing commissioning activities to safely and efficiently transition the facility from construction completion to stable, on-spec operations. The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience commissioning large, continuous chemical or petrochemical plants and leading multidisciplinary teams through complex startups.
Develop and execute daily, weekly, and monthly commissioning plans aligned with project milestones.
Lead commissioning of major process and utility systems, including:
Compressors and turbines
High-pressure steam systems (including steam blowing)
Pumps and fans (mechanical run testing)
Cooling water systems and initial flushing
Distillation columns
Catalyst loading and activation
Boilers, incinerators, and utility systems
Instrumentation, control systems, and interlocks (including SIL-rated systems)
Ensure commissioning activities follow engineering design intent, vendor recommendations, and approved SOPs.
Act as the technical authority during commissioning and startup.
Identify, analyze, and resolve technical and operational issues encountered during startup.
Verify system readiness, cleanliness, and mechanical integrity prior to introducing process conditions.
Drive safe and effective handover from construction to operations.
Lead and coordinate commissioning teams, including supervisors, operators, technicians, contractors, and vendors.
Work closely with Engineering, Construction, EHS, Operations, and Maintenance to ensure seamless execution.
Maintain clear communication across all stakeholders during critical startup phases.
Ensure strict compliance with all state, federal, and site HSE requirements.
Promote a strong safety culture during high-risk commissioning activities.
Support achievement of corporate safety and environmental performance objectives.
Monitor commissioning progress against schedule and proactively address delays.
Develop and implement recovery plans to catch up on delayed activities without compromising safety or quality.
Support cost control, resource optimization, and efficient use of manpower.
Support training and competency development for operators and supervisors.
Assist in preparing operating procedures and ensuring operational readiness for startup and ramp-up.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering OR
High School diploma with extensive commissioning experience
Experience:
15+ years (Bachelor’s degree) or 20+ years (High School) of progressive experience in chemical manufacturing
Significant experience leading commissioning and startup for large continuous process plants (typically $300MM+ capital projects)
Technical Expertise:
Strong knowledge of chemical process operations, utilities, and plant equipment
High level of familiarity with plant design, engineering documentation, and commissioning methodologies
Leadership & Communication:
Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams in startup environments
Strong communication and decision-making skills
Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge:
Solid understanding of OSHA, EPA, and environmental compliance requirements
Experience operating within structured safety and quality management systems