Project Manager – Operational Excellence

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Lead high-visibility projects that improve safety, operational efficiency, and business performance for a major utility provider. Collaborate directly with leadership, influence meaningful process improvements, and take ownership of initiatives that deliver measurable results. This 3-month contract opportunity in Houston, TX, offers competitive compensation of $67/hour and a streamlined interview process.

The Project Manager will lead cross-functional initiatives supporting safety, quality, and operational improvement efforts within a large, established organization. This position combines hands-on project execution, stakeholder coordination, and performance reporting to help translate strategic priorities into actionable results. Working closely with leadership and operational teams, the role will manage project timelines, resources, risks, and deliverables while identifying opportunities to strengthen processes and improve organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

  • Plan, coordinate, and execute cross-functional projects involving safety, quality, operational improvements, and business processes.

  • Develop project schedules, milestones, deliverables, and resource plans to support timely project completion.

  • Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and implement corrective actions to address delays or obstacles.

  • Collaborate with leadership, operational teams, and technical stakeholders to establish project priorities and objectives.

  • Prepare executive-level reports, presentations, dashboards, and project status updates.

  • Track project budgets, resource allocation, and performance metrics to support effective decision-making.

  • Lead process improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, quality, and consistent execution.

  • Coordinate project meetings, stakeholder communications, and follow-up activities.

  • Support safety and quality initiatives involving compliance tracking, audits, corrective actions, or process standardization.

  • Analyze project performance data and recommend improvements to workflows and operational processes.

  • Maintain accurate project documentation, risk registers, action plans, and progress reports.

  • Ensure project deliverables align with established business objectives, timelines, and quality expectations.

Qualifications

  • 2–4+ years of experience managing non-IT projects, preferably in safety, quality, operations, engineering, or process improvement.

  • Experience leading cross-functional projects from planning through execution and completion.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio or comparable project management tools.

  • Experience developing project schedules, tracking milestones, managing risks, and preparing status reports.

  • Knowledge of budgeting, resource planning, and project performance measurement.

  • Experience preparing reports and presentations for management or executive leadership.

  • Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies, operational efficiency initiatives, or process optimization.

  • Experience supporting Safety, EHS/HSE, Quality Assurance, or Operational Excellence initiatives preferred.

  • Experience with compliance tracking, audits, corrective action plans, or quality improvement projects preferred.

  • PMP or PMI-related certification preferred.

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