Planner/Junior Project Management

Job Title: Strategic Turnaround Planner / Junior Project Manager

Job Description

The Strategic Turnaround Planner will support the planning and execution of large-scale refinery turnaround events—scheduled shutdowns that occur every few years to inspect, repair, upgrade, and certify critical equipment. This position is ideal for an early-career project manager who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments and wants to transition into the oil and gas sector. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, develop detailed project plans and schedules, and help ensure that turnaround activities are completed safely, on time, and within budget. The role offers significant visibility, close collaboration with engineering, operations, safety, procurement, and contractor teams, and the opportunity to develop deep expertise in large industrial projects.

About The Company

This organization is a large, integrated energy company with operations across North America, operating across the full value chain from crude oil production to refining and distribution of finished products. It plays a critical role in producing essential fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and asphalt that power transportation, infrastructure, and industry.

The Superior, Wisconsin refinery is a key regional facility that processes approximately 49,000 barrels of crude oil per day and supplies fuel products throughout the Midwest. The site has undergone significant modernization and safety enhancements, reinforcing a strong commitment to operational excellence, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine the scope of work for major turnaround events, ensuring that all required maintenance, inspections, and upgrades are clearly defined.
• Lead cross-functional planning sessions with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams to align objectives, clarify requirements, and coordinate work packages.
• Build detailed project plans and schedules for turnaround activities, including timelines, resource plans, and execution strategies.
• Coordinate contractor strategy, including defining roles, integrating contractor work into the overall plan, and supporting procurement processes.
• Identify project risks related to schedule, cost, safety, and quality, and develop mitigation strategies to protect turnaround targets.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) throughout planning and execution to ensure progress against goals.
• Manage internal and external stakeholders, maintaining clear and proactive communication with operations, engineering, maintenance, safety, procurement, and contractor teams.
• Monitor schedule progress, workforce productivity, and resource utilization during execution, and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Oversee day-to-day contractor coordination during the turnaround, ensuring seamless collaboration with internal teams and alignment with project plans.
• Quickly identify and resolve issues that could impact schedule, safety, or cost, escalating appropriately and coordinating corrective actions.
• Reinforce and model a strong culture of safety across all turnaround activities, ensuring that safety expectations are clearly communicated and followed.
• Ensure all turnaround work is completed to specification, properly documented, and smoothly transitioned back to operations.
• Lead or participate in post-event reviews to capture lessons learned, performance insights, and improvement opportunities.
• Translate lessons learned into enhanced strategies, processes, and plans for future turnaround events.
• Maintain organized documentation, planning archives, and historical data to support continuous improvement and future event planning.

Essential Skills

• 2–6 years of project management experience, preferably in environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating or managing projects involving cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to build and maintain detailed project schedules and plans.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders, balancing diverse needs and priorities while maintaining alignment with project goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead meetings, convey complex information clearly, and provide concise updates.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including influencing without direct authority and fostering collaboration among internal and external teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset, with the ability to identify issues early and develop practical solutions quickly.
• Comfort working with project schedules, reporting tools, and data to monitor progress and support decision-making.
• Ability and willingness to learn refinery operations and turnaround processes and to be trained in the specifics of the oil and gas industry.
• Ability to work hard in a demanding environment, maintain focus under pressure, and support time-sensitive turnaround activities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in project management from industries such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, consulting, municipal operations, medical, hospitality, retail, or similar is highly valued.
• Experience with project management tools, scheduling software, or enterprise systems is a plus.
• Bg in coordinating construction or mechanical projects is beneficial for understanding turnaround scopes and activities.
• Familiarity with working in industrial, manufacturing, or process-plant environments is an advantage.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including building relationships with contractors, vendors, and internal departments.
• Interest in developing a long-term career in large industrial projects and the oil and gas sector.

Work Environment

This role is based at a large refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, a key regional energy hub that has operated for decades and produces significant volumes of asphalt, gasoline, diesel, heavy fuel oils, and LPG. The facility processes approximately 49,000 barrels of light and heavy crude oil per day, sourced from regional and Canadian fields. The refinery has undergone reconstruction with enhanced safety measures following a major incident, and it operates under rigorous safety and operational standards. The primary focus of this role is planning and supporting a major turnaround event scheduled for 2028, expected to last approximately 30–45 days and centered on mechanical overhauls of process equipment. The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week during normal planning periods, with the potential for increased intensity and extended hours as the turnaround approaches and during execution. You will work closely with engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, procurement, and contractor teams in a highly collaborative environment that values safety, reliability, and continuous improvement. The setting is an industrial refinery environment, which may include time spent in offices for planning and analysis as well as time in the field to review scopes, observe equipment, and support execution activities. Appropriate industrial attire and personal protective equipment are required when working in operating areas.

This is a Contract position based out of Superior, WI.

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $60.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Superior,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 3, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $45 - $60