Project Manager – Greenfield Paper Mill

Posted: posted 3 days ago

Job Description

Role Summary

We are looking for a hands-on, experienced Project Manager with a strong background in greenfield paper mill projects and operations to lead the construction of a new paper manufacturing facility. This is a full-lifecycle role: from detailed engineering, equipment procurement, and civil construction through to mechanical and electrical installation, utility integration, co-generation plant setup, commissioning, trial runs, and final handover to operations.

The ideal candidate must have direct experience in paper mill projects — preferably involving waste-based and/or pulp-based paper production for packaging and writing & printing grades. They must understand paper mill operations intimately, as the role requires not only delivering the project on time and within budget but also ensuring the plant is commissioned to run at full capacity with optimal efficiency. Africa or emerging market project experience is a strong advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Greenfield Project Leadership: Take full ownership of the greenfield paper mill project from detailed design and engineering through to construction, commissioning, and handover. Deliver the project on time, within budget, and to the required quality and safety standards.
• Project Planning: Develop comprehensive project plans including scope definition, work breakdown structures, detailed schedules (Gantt/CPM), resource plans, and milestone tracking. Maintain and update project timelines rigorously.
• Budget & Cost Control: Manage the total project budget. Track expenditure against estimates, control variations, approve payments, and provide regular cost reports and forecasts to the Board of Directors. Ensure no cost overruns without prior approval.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks proactively. Maintain a risk register and develop contingency plans for critical path activities.

Engineering & Technical Oversight

• Process Design & Engineering: Oversee detailed engineering for the paper machine(s), stock preparation (waste paper recycling and/or pulp processing lines), chemical dosing systems, water treatment and all ancillary equipment. Ensure the design meets production targets for packaging paper and writing & printing grades.
• Equipment Procurement: Lead the procurement of all major equipment including paper machines, pulpers, refiners, screens, cleaners, dryers, rewinders, boilers, turbines (co-gen), and utility systems. Evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage delivery schedules.
• Utilities & Co-Generation: Oversee the design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of all utility systems including steam generation, power distribution, water supply and treatment, effluent treatment, compressed air, and the co-generation plant. Ensure seamless integration with the paper production process.
• Civil & Structural Works: Manage all civil construction including site preparation, foundations, building structures, warehousing, roads, and drainage. Coordinate with civil contractors and ensure works are completed to specification.

Construction & Installation Management

• Contractor Management: Select, appoint, and manage all contractors and subcontractors (civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation). Ensure clear scopes of work, enforce safety standards, monitor progress daily, and resolve issues swiftly.
• Site Management: Maintain a well-organised, safe, and efficient construction site. Ensure compliance with local regulations, environmental requirements, and international HSE standards.
• Quality Assurance: Implement quality control procedures for all construction and installation works. Conduct inspections, factory acceptance tests (FAT), and site acceptance tests (SAT) on all critical equipment.
• Progress Reporting: Provide regular project status reports to the Board of Directors including progress against schedule, cost status, risk updates, and key decisions required. Escalate issues promptly.

Commissioning & Handover to Operations

• Pre-Commissioning & Commissioning: Plan and execute systematic pre-commissioning checks, cold commissioning, hot commissioning, and trial runs for all sections of the mill — stock preparation, paper machine(s), utilities, co-gen plant, and effluent treatment.
• Performance Testing: Conduct performance guarantee tests to verify that the mill meets design capacity (TPD), paper quality specifications, energy efficiency targets, and environmental compliance standards.
• Operational Readiness: Work with the operations team to ensure the plant is fully ready for commercial production. Assist with operator training, development of SOPs, maintenance schedules, and spare parts planning.
• Handover: Execute a structured handover to the operations team including all documentation (P&IDs, equipment manuals, as-built drawings, test certificates), punch list clearance, and warranty management. Note that the successful candidate will have the clear possibility to become the Head of Operations post commissioning.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Vendor & OEM Coordination: Manage relationships with equipment suppliers and OEMs. Coordinate factory visits, supervise equipment erection by vendor engineers, and ensure warranty obligations are met.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all necessary permits, environmental clearances, and regulatory approvals are obtained and maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for all project-related matters. Keep the Board of Directors, investors, and key stakeholders informed of progress, challenges, and milestones.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 12–20 years of experience in project management within the pulp and paper industry, with at least one greenfield or major brownfield paper mill project delivered end-to-end.
• Strong operational knowledge of paper mills — must understand stock preparation (waste paper and pulp based), paper machine operations, grade changes, drying systems, and finishing for both packaging paper and writing & printing grades.
• Hands-on experience with utility systems including boilers, co-generation / captive power plants, water treatment, effluent treatment (ETP), and steam & power distribution in a paper mill context.
• Proven ability to manage large capital projects (budgets, schedules, contractors, procurement) with a track record of delivering on time and within budget.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Technology, or a related engineering discipline. PMP, Prince2, or equivalent project management certification is a strong plus.
• Experience procuring and commissioning paper machines and associated equipment from major OEMs (e.g., Valmet, Voith, Andritz, or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of HSE standards for construction and industrial operations. Experience with environmental compliance in paper manufacturing.
• Proficiency in project management tools (MS Project, Primavera, or equivalent). SAP knowledge is an advantage.
• Experience working on projects in Africa or emerging markets is highly preferred. Understanding of local construction practices, logistics challenges, and regulatory environments in East Africa is a strong advantage.

Desired Attributes

• A driven, no-nonsense project leader who takes ownership and delivers results. Must be comfortable working on-site in a hands-on capacity, not just managing from an office.
• Strong leadership and people management skills — able to manage large multidisciplinary teams including contractors, engineers, and operators.
• Excellent problem-solving ability and the resilience to manage setbacks, delays, and unexpected challenges without losing momentum.
• Commercial awareness — understands the cost implications of decisions and manages the project with a sharp eye on the budget.
• Strong communication skills in English. Ability to produce clear project reports, technical specifications, and presentations for the Board of Directors.
• Willingness to be based on-site in Uganda for the duration of the project.
• Familiarity with waste paper recycling processes and sustainability practices in paper manufacturing.