Senior Project Manager

Department: Operations / Project Delivery

Reports To: Director of Project Management

Role Type: Individual Contributor

Who We Are

Zone 4 is a nationwide leader in the design and installation of advanced material handling systems, specializing in automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), multishuttle, and miniload systems. Headquartered in Orange, CA, Zone 4 serves blue-chip clients across retail, ecommerce, logistics, and grocery. With over 15 years of experience, Zone 4 provides end-to-end installation solutions, delivering safe, efficient, and consistent project execution across the United States.

Role Purpose

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for leading the successful delivery of complex, high-value installation and automation projects from contract award through project closeout. This role serves as a senior leader within the PM organization, driving project performance, mentoring project managers, and ensuring the consistent application of project management standards and best practices.

The Senior Project Manager provides strategic oversight of project execution, proactively manages commercial and operational risks, and acts as a trusted partner to clients, field leadership, engineering, procurement, and executive stakeholders. This position plays a critical role in achieving operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and profitable project delivery.

Scope of Responsibility

  • Leadership of large-scale, complex automation and installation projects
  • Oversight of project schedules, budgets, forecasting, and financial performance
  • Strategic client relationship management and executive stakeholder engagement
  • Contract administration, change management, and commercial risk mitigation
  • Leadership and mentorship of Project Managers
  • Cross-functional collaboration across engineering, procurement, field operations, and executive leadership
  • Development and continuous improvement of PMO standards, processes, and tools
  • Compliance with Zone 4 safety, quality, and operational standards

Key Outcomes

  • Consistent delivery of projects on time, within budget, and within scope
  • High forecast accuracy and strong project financial performance
  • Effective management of project risks, changes, and contractual obligations
  • Strong customer relationships resulting in repeat business and customer satisfaction
  • Increased project management capability through mentoring and coaching
  • Improved organizational project execution standards and operational efficiency
  • Reduced project escalations and improved project predictability

Core Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Execution

  • Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout of complex installation and automation projects
  • Develop integrated project schedules, resource plans, and execution strategies
  • Coordinate engineering, procurement, field operations, and subcontractor’s
  • Ensure project deliverables meet contractual, quality, and operational requirements
  • Drive accountability across project teams to achieve project objectives

Financial & Commercial Management

  • Own project financial performance, including budgets, cost forecasting, cash flow tracking, and margin protection
  • Evaluate project performance and implement corrective actions to mitigate cost and schedule variances
  • Manage change orders, claims, and commercial negotiations
  • Ensure contractual obligations are properly administered and enforced
  • Provide accurate forecasting and executive-level project reporting

Client & Stakeholder Management

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and executive stakeholders
  • Build and maintain strong client relationships throughout project execution
  • Manage expectations through proactive communication and strategic issue resolution
  • Facilitate executive reviews, project status meetings, and key decision-making discussions

Risk, Issue & Change Management

  • Establish and maintain project risk management plans
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate project, commercial, operational, and safety risks
  • Lead change management processes and ensure proper documentation and approvals
  • Escalate critical business risks and strategic decisions when appropriate
  • Drive proactive problem solving to prevent project disruptions

Technical & Operational Leadership

  • Provide guidance on mechanical, electrical, automation, and controls integration activities
  • Support constructability reviews and execution planning
  • Collaborate with engineering and field teams to resolve technical challenges
  • Ensure adherence to project standards, methodologies, and quality expectations

Leadership, Mentorship & Continuous Improvement

  • Mentor and develop Project Managers and emerging project leaders
  • Share best practices across the project management organization
  • Support development and implementation of PMO processes, tools, and templates
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and project outcomes
  • Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and execution excellence

Authority & Decision-Making

  • Responsible for overall project execution, financial performance, and client satisfaction
  • Makes project-level decisions regarding schedule, resources, staffing, and commercial execution
  • Approves project plans, recovery strategies, and change management actions within delegated authority
  • Provides guidance and direction to Project Managers and project teams
  • Recommends strategic actions related to contracts, risk mitigation, and organizational improvements

Required Experience

  • 8+ years of project management experience in construction, automation, industrial installation, material handling, or related industries
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-million-dollar projects
  • Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, electrical systems, automation technologies, and construction documentation
  • Proven success managing project financials, forecasting, contract administration, and change orders
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and mentoring project managers
  • Strong client-facing communication and relationship management skills
  • Advanced proficiency in project scheduling, forecasting, reporting, and Microsoft Office tools

Core Competencies & Skills

Project Management Excellence

  • Project Planning & Scheduling
  • Budgeting & Cost Control
  • Risk Management
  • Change Management

Technical & Industry Knowledge

  • Mechanical/Electrical Systems Understanding
  • Automation & Controls
  • Construction Documentation

Leadership & Communication

  • Team Leadership
  • Client Communication
  • Internal Collaboration

Commercial & Strategic Skills

  • Contract Management
  • Forecasting & Reporting
  • Business Acumen

Professional Effectiveness

  • Accountability
  • Adaptability
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Microsoft Office Proficiency
  • PMO Process Leadership and Compliance

Success Metrics (KPIs)

  • On-time project delivery
  • Budget and margin performance
  • Forecast accuracy and reporting reliability
  • Customer satisfaction and repeat business opportunities
  • Change order capture and contract compliance
  • Reduction in project risk exposure and escalations
  • Team development and mentorship effectiveness
  • Adoption and advancement of PMO standards and best practices
  • Operational efficiency improvements and lessons learned implementation

Role Impact

The Senior Project Manager has a direct impact on Zone 4’s profitability, customer satisfaction, project delivery performance, and organizational capability. This role serves as a leader within the project management organization by delivering complex projects successfully, strengthening client relationships, developing future project leaders, and continuously improving project execution standards across the business.

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