Project Manager - Cold Storage Construction

Job Title: Project Manager | Commercial Construction

Location: Chicago, IL

Industry: Commercial Construction / Cold Storage / Food Processing

Job Overview

A well-established and growing commercial general contractor is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join their Chicago team. This position will support complex commercial construction projects with a strong focus on cold storage, food processing, industrial, and distribution facilities.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing projects from preconstruction through closeout and be comfortable working in technically complex environments involving refrigeration, MEP systems, temperature-controlled spaces, and active manufacturing or processing facilities.

Cold storage experience is highly preferred, but candidates with strong design-build, industrial, food & beverage, manufacturing, distribution, or MEP-heavy construction experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Manage commercial construction projects from preconstruction through completion and closeout
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, contracts, and overall project execution
• Participate in conceptual estimating, preconstruction planning, and constructability reviews
• Coordinate owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, vendors, and internal teams
• Manage subcontractor buyout, negotiations, scopes, and contracts
• Coordinate complex MEP, refrigeration, and technical building systems
• Maintain strong owner and client relationships throughout the project
• Identify and resolve project risks, schedule issues, and cost concerns
• Manage change orders, project documentation, and financial performance
• Coordinate work within active manufacturing, food processing, or operating facilities when applicable
• Support successful project turnover and closeout

Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial construction project management experience
• Experience with some combination of:
  • Cold storage / freezer / cooler facilities
  • Food processing or food & beverage construction
  • Industrial / manufacturing / distribution
  • Design-build construction
  • Refrigeration or heavy MEP coordination
  • Temperature-controlled environments
• Strong understanding of preconstruction and project execution
• Experience with estimating, budgeting, buyout, and subcontract negotiations
• Strong owner/client communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex projects
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Construction-related degree preferred or equivalent experience

Travel

Willingness to travel to project sites approximately 2–3 times per month for 1–2 days at a time.

Compensation

$90,000–$152,000 base salary + annual discretionary bonus, depending on experience.

For additional information on this opportunity, please contact Kandace Betzold directly at 651-727-8401 Resumes may be confidentially sent to Kandace.betzold@gogpac.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.