Capital Estimating - Cost Control & Benchmarking Lead, Capital Portfolio Planning and Controls Group

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Job Description

Albemarle is seeking a seasoned capital project professional to lead and enhance estimating and cost control along with benchmarking practices across its global manufacturing sites. This newly integrated role combines strategic oversight of site capital estimating processes with hands-on support for project teams, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with corporate goals. The successful candidate will collaborate across multiple functions and manufacturing sites, driving continuous improvement, compliance, and data-driven decision-making.

This role is hybrid and will require being in-office 3 days per week, and is located in Clear Lake, TX.

Role Purpose

Own and execute capital cost estimating, benchmarking, and cost control for Albemarle’s manufacturing capital portfolio. This role provides owner‑side estimate credibility, forecast accuracy, and benchmarking discipline across FEL development and project execution for medium to small size projects (<$200MM TIC).

The position combines is a hands on individual contributor role that combines knowledge of estimating and cost control and requires experience in both disciplines ensuring estimates, budgets, forecasts, and benchmarks are internally consistent, defensible, and aligned with governance.

What You Will Do

Estimating & Benchmarking

• Own and apply standard estimating methodologies, tools, and accuracy expectations across global manufacturing sites.
• Support development and validation of conceptual through definitive estimates small to medium size projects <$200MM TIC.
• Serve as the primary estimating point of contact for manufacturing sites.
• Build, maintain, and use estimating databases and cost metrics for cross‑site benchmarking.
• Lead estimate and benchmark health checks using IPA and other industry frameworks.
• Use external data tools (e.g., IHS Markit, Alpha Resources) and internal data to challenge scope, productivity, market conditions, and escalation assumptions.
• Support and represent estimating in PEER reviews, FEL gate reviews, and governance forums.

Cost Control & Forecasting (Execution Support)

• Embed with active project teams as needed to support day‑to‑day cost control.
• Own SAP PS cost structure integrity: WBS setup, budget loading, transfers, supplements, and change tracking.
• Maintain visibility and control of budgets, commitments, actuals, accruals, forecasts, and EACs.
• Review and validate contractor and vendor cost data for accuracy, completeness, and scope alignment.
• Support monthly cost reporting and cash flow forecasting.
• Identify and escalate early cost and trend risks to project and leadership teams.
• Partner closely with Construction, Procurement, Finance, and Project Controls to maintain cost discipline.

Process Ownership & Capability Building

• Maintain and enforce estimating and cost control SOPs and governance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in estimating accuracy, forecast reliability, and data quality.
• Support change management related to scope growth, estimate revisions, and forecast updates.
• Train site teams on estimating methods, benchmarking interpretation, and cost control fundamentals.

What You Bring

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• 10-12 years owner‑side(preferred) or EPC experience in both capital estimating and project cost control.
• Hands‑on experience supporting chemical, petrochemical, mining, or industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work across the full project lifecycle (FEL0-Operate).
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Capital project estimating practices
  • IPA Benchmarking
  • Cost control, forecasting, and EAC development
  • Change management and cost governance
• Advanced SAP Project Systems (PS) experience.
• Advanced Excel capability; experience with estimating software (e.g., ASPEN ACCE).
• Comfortable working independently and challenging assumptions with facts.
• Clear, structured communicator able to engage engineers, project managers, contractors, and leadership.

Preferred

• Owner‑side project controls hands-on experience in estimating and cost control.
• Experience with IPA benchmarking and FEL assessments.
• Experience working with EPCM and contractor cost reporting.
• Professional certification (AACE, PMP, etc.).

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Benefits of Joining Albemarle

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package

• A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.