Assistant Project Manager - Industrial Coatings

Phillips Industrial Services is a veteran-owned small business located in Goose Creek, SC. We have proudly served local, regional, and international publicly and privately owned customers for over 50 years by providing industrial and marine surface preparation and coatings application. We have a long-standing record of high-quality, safely completed projects that make us a leader in the corrosion protection industry.

Phillips Industrial is certified QP1, QP2, and QP3 by The Association of Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). Our project locations range from the southeast US to the Caribbean. We also have a blasting and coating facility located at our corporate office, which allows us to prepare and paint items such as loose steel to large assemblies without over-spray concerns at our customers'​ sites.

We are seeking an Assistant Project Manager.

Position Summary

The Assistant Project Manager is responsible for developing accurate and competitive project estimates while managing awarded industrial coating projects from contract award through final completion. This position serves as the primary point of contact for customers, ensuring projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract specifications and company quality standards.

Success in this role requires strong technical knowledge of industrial coatings, surface preparation, project scheduling, contract administration, budgeting, and customer relationship management.

Essential Responsibilities

Estimating

• Review drawings, specifications, and bid documents.
• Perform site visits to evaluate project conditions and identify production requirements.
• Develop detailed labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and overhead estimates.
• Solicit and evaluate vendor and subcontractor quotations.
• Prepare complete bid proposals and scope clarifications.
• Identify project risks and pricing contingencies.
• Maintain estimating database and historical production rates.
• Participate in pre-bid meetings and customer discussions.
• Assist with business development and customer relationship management.

Project Management

• Manage projects from award through closeout.
• Conduct project turnover meetings with field supervision.
• Develop project schedules and manpower plans.
• Coordinate labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, and logistics.
• Monitor project costs, production rates, and profitability.
• Track contract changes and prepare change order pricing.
• Manage customer communications throughout the project.
• Attend project meetings and provide progress updates.
• Ensure projects comply with contract specifications and quality requirements.
• Complete project closeout documentation.

Financial Management

• Develop and maintain project budgets.
• Monitor labor productivity and equipment utilization.
• Review job cost reports regularly.
• Review and approve vendor invoices.
• Coordinate customer billing and payment applications.
• Manage project cash flow.
• Identify opportunities to improve project margins.

Safety & Quality

• Promote a strong safety culture.
• Ensure OSHA compliance and company safety policies are followed.
• Participate in job hazard analyses and project planning.
• Verify coating systems comply with project specifications.
• Support quality control documentation and inspections.
• Assist with project punch list completion.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience estimating industrial or commercial construction projects.
• Experience managing industrial or commercial construction projects.
• Ability to read plans and specifications.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Valid driver's license and transportation.

Preferred

• AMPP Coating Inspector Certification
• OSHA 30-Hour Certification
• Experience working in:
• Water & wastewater facilities
• Industrial plants
• Manufacturing facilities
• Marine structures
• Steel fabrication
• Airports
• Government contracts

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong financial acumen
• Ability to read and interpret contracts
• Strong scheduling and planning skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical abilities
• Ability to solve problems quickly and effectively

Physical Requirements

• Ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, and industrial structures.
• Ability to walk active construction sites.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including respirators.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel to project sites as required.

Preferred Characteristics

The ideal candidate is:

• Self-motivated
• Results-oriented
• Safety-focused
• Highly organized
• Customer-focused
• Financially disciplined
• Comfortable making independent decisions
• Able to build strong relationships with owners, engineers, subcontractors, and field personnel