Project Manager, Operations Manager, Program ​/ Project Manager

Gulf States Engineering is a leading provider of water and wastewater treatment equipment in the utility side of various industrial plants in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and W. Tennessee. We specialize in pumps and pump repair services, water and wastewater treatment process equipment delivering high-quality solutions for our customers. With a commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, we strive to maintain our position as industry leaders in fluid handling technologies.

The Project Manager is responsible for managing engineered-to-order pump and wastewater equipment projects from order receipt through delivery, invoicing, and closeout. Serving as the primary liaison between customers, sales, engineering, manufacturing, and vendors, this role ensures projects are executed accurately, on time, and within budget. The Project Manager reviews technical specifications and contracts, coordinates submittals and production schedules, manages change orders and billing, and monitors project financial performance while maintaining strong customer relationships and supporting continuous improvement efforts.

• Manage engineered pump and wastewater equipment projects from order receipt through final commissioning, invoicing, and closeout, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget objectives are met.
• Review project specifications, contracts, and purchase orders to confirm scope alignment; verify factory acknowledgments and submittals for technical and commercial accuracy.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, including engineering submittals, production timelines, procurement milestones, delivery coordination, and field service requirements.
• Collaborate with the sales team during project handoff to define scope, clarify technical requirements, and confirm project goals, deliverables, and customer expectations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, consulting engineers, contractors, and internal teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Utilize ERP and CRM systems to manage project documentation, track costs, process change orders, update customer information, and maintain accurate project status reporting.
• Coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, vendors, and field service teams to ensure engineered-to-order equipment meets specifications and delivery commitments.
• Identify, assess, and proactively manage project risks, including supply chain constraints, production delays, specification discrepancies, and field conditions.
• Evaluate change requests and make sound decisions regarding schedule adjustments, cost impacts, and resource allocation.
• Monitor multiple active projects simultaneously, maintaining visibility into production status, shipment schedules, billing milestones, and customer communications.
• Prepare and submit project invoices, track progress billings, manage retainage, and complete project financial reconciliation at closeout.
• Support pump repair and retrofit projects by coordinating teardown evaluations, quotation reviews, parts procurement, and repair timelines as applicable.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of company pump lines, wastewater treatment equipment, controls, and applicable industry standards to effectively manage engineered solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement by tracking and meeting key performance indicators (KPIs) related to on-time delivery, margin performance, project cycle time, and customer satisfaction.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives within project management, documentation control, and cross-functional communication.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 3+ years of project management experience in engineered-to-order, industrial equipment, pump, or wastewater industries.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, contracts, and submittals.
• Working knowledge of pumps, motors, controls, and/or wastewater equipment preferred.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with varying complexity and timelines.
• Proficiency with ERP and CRM systems for project tracking, billing, and documentation.
• Strong financial acumen, including cost tracking, margin management, and change order administration.
• Excellent communication and customer relationship management skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities in deadline-driven environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to travel occasionally as needed.

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Occasional light lifting (20-25 lbs.), office environment. Regularly required to sit or stand, reach, bend, and move about the facility.

The work environment characteristics described here represent…