JOB DESCRIPTION

Operations Project Manager

Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt (Salaried)

Location: Chesapeake, VA 23323 — Office-Based; up to 10% travel to client sites

Reports To: Owner / Director of Operations

Department: Operations

Company Overview

KCI Temporary Kitchens is a leading provider of temporary mobile kitchen solutions with over 17 years of industry experience. Our fully equipped facilities, built into tractor trailers, are deployed to hospitals, correctional institutions, universities, military installations, and disaster response operations nationwide. We support operations ranging from 90 to 9,000 meals per day across facilities from 480 sq. ft. to 15,000+ sq. ft. Our clients trust us to keep their food service operations running without interruption, and our Project Manager is the person who makes that promise a reality.

Position Summary

The Operations Project Manager is a central office leadership role responsible for the planning, coordination, documentation, and oversight of all KCI kitchen deployments from start to finish. This individual serves as the primary operational point of contact for clients throughout every phase of a project, from initial contract through active deployment and final close-out, and is responsible for ensuring every project is executed on time, on budget, and to the client's satisfaction.

This role is built around project management, client communication, vendor coordination, and administrative oversight. The Operations Project Manager does not perform physical labor on job sites but must possess sufficient technical knowledge of HVAC systems and commercial kitchen installations to effectively plan projects, troubleshoot issues remotely, oversee refurbishment and custom build scopes, and direct the field team intelligently.

This is an office-first role. The ideal candidate is highly organized, a strong communicator, and thrives on managing multiple moving projects simultaneously from a central hub.

Core Responsibilities

Project Planning & Documentation

•        Own the full project lifecycle from contract execution through deployment close-out, including the creation and maintenance of all project documentation, schedules, scopes of work, deployment plans, and client records.

•        Develop detailed project plans for each deployment, outlining timelines, resource assignments, logistics sequencing, and client-specific requirements.

•        Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all active and upcoming projects, including contracts, change orders, communications logs, delivery confirmations, and sign-off documentation.

•        Manage project closeout documentation including final invoicing support, equipment return records, and client satisfaction follow-up.

Client Relationship Management

•        Serve as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the duration of each project, from pre-deployment planning through final tear-down and closeout.

•        Conduct project kickoff calls and ongoing check-ins with client stakeholders to align on timelines, expectations, site requirements, and any operational concerns.

•        Proactively communicate project updates, schedule changes, and issue resolutions to clients in a clear, professional, and timely manner.

•        Build and maintain strong long-term relationships with clients to support repeat business and referrals.

•        Work collaboratively with the sales team to ensure a smooth transition from signed contract to active project management.

Transportation & Logistics Coordination

•        Coordinate all inbound and outbound transportation of kitchen units with KCI's third-party transport partners, managing scheduling, communication, and documentation.

•        Confirm site readiness requirements with clients in advance of each delivery, including access, utilities, and permitting, ensuring all logistics prerequisites are met.

•        Track and document the location and status of all units in the field, maintaining an accurate real-time inventory of the fleet.

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