Project Scheduler (Sales & Estimating Phase)

KPI Solutions is a national supply chain consulting and warehouse automation systems integrator, helping some of the biggest names in e-commerce, retail, and distribution move product faster and smarter. Formed in 2021 through the combination of Kuecker Logistics Group, PULSE Integration, and QC Software, KPI brings together decades of material handling and systems integration experience — rooted in material handling integration dating back to 1971. From initial design through go-live and ongoing support, KPI delivers engineered solutions that blend automated technologies (MHE, robotics, conveyor, ASRS, AMR/AGV) with intelligent warehouse execution software to optimize productivity, increase fulfillment speed, and build operational resilience for clients. 

The Project Scheduler is responsible for developing, analyzing, and maintaining project schedules during the sales, estimating, and proposal development phases of the project lifecycle. This role partners closely with Business Development, Estimating, Engineering, Operations, and Project Management teams to develop realistic execution schedules that support bid strategies, customer proposals, resource planning, and project delivery commitments. 

The Project Scheduler plays a critical role in identifying schedule risks and opportunities, validating project timelines, and ensuring that proposed schedules align with organizational capabilities and customer requirements. The ideal candidate possesses strong scheduling expertise, analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across multiple functions in a fast-paced proposal environment. 

• Develop detailed proposal schedules for new business opportunities. 

• Create project execution schedules based on scope, estimates, historical performance data, and resource availability. 

• Develop schedule narratives and milestone plans to support customer proposals and bid submissions. 

• Collaborate with Estimating and Operations teams to determine logical activity sequencing and project durations. 

• Establish project milestones, critical path activities, and major deliverables. 

• Perform Critical Path Method (CPM) analysis on proposal schedules. 

• Identify schedule risks, constraints, assumptions, and opportunities. 

• Conduct schedule sensitivity and what-if analyses to support bid strategy decisions. 

• Evaluate customer-required schedules and recommend achievable alternatives when necessary. 

• Assess schedule impacts associated with scope, resource, procurement, and construction assumptions. 

• Support estimating teams by aligning schedule assumptions with labor and cost estimates. 

• Develop schedule-driven resource forecasts and manpower loading curves. 

• Assist in evaluating schedule acceleration or compression scenarios. 

• Provide schedule input for contingency and risk assessments. 

• Support development of cash flow projections and execution timelines. 

• Partner with Business Development, Proposal Managers, Estimators, Engineers, Procurement, and Operations personnel. 

• Participate in proposal reviews, strategy meetings, and bid development sessions. 

• Present schedule assumptions, risks, and recommendations to leadership and customers as required. 

• Support customer discussions regarding project execution strategies and milestone commitments. 

• Ensure schedules comply with company scheduling standards, PMO guidelines, and customer requirements. 

• Maintain schedule templates, historical schedule databases, and best practices. 

• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to scheduling processes and tools. 

• Assist with schedule audits and schedule quality assessments. 

• Support project handoff activities from Sales and Estimating to Project Management and Project Controls teams. 

• Ensure approved proposal schedules are effectively transitioned into execution schedules. 

• Document assumptions, risks, and schedule basis of estimate information for project teams. 

• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) Certification 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification 

• AACE Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) Certification 

• Experience working within a PMO, Project Controls, Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, or EPC environment 

• Knowledge of schedule risk assessment and Monte Carlo analysis tools 

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. 

• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered. 

• 3+ years of project scheduling, project controls, estimating support, or project planning experience. 

• Experience supporting proposals, bids, capital projects, manufacturing projects, engineering projects, construction projects, or EPC projects preferred. 

• Experience developing schedules during project initiation, proposal, or estimating phases strongly preferred. 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project/Primavera P6. 

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and reporting. 

• Understanding of:  

• Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) 

• Critical Path Method (CPM) 

• Resource Loading 

• Project Lifecycle Management 

• Schedule Risk Analysis 

• Cost and Schedule Integration 

• Baseline Schedule Development 

• Proposal and Bid Processes 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Excellent organizational and planning abilities 

• Ability to interpret technical scopes of work 

• Strong communication and presentation skills 

• Attention to detail 

• Collaboration and stakeholder management 

• Strategic thinking 

• Ability to manage multiple proposals simultaneously 

• Risk identification and mitigation planning 

• On-time completion of proposal schedules 

• Accuracy of project duration forecasts 

• Schedule quality and compliance scores 

• Identification and mitigation of schedule risks 

• Proposal support responsiveness 

• Successful transition of schedules into project execution 

• Stakeholder satisfaction