Commissioning Manager

Job Title: Commissioning Manager (Contract)

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