Project Scheduler (Sales & Estimating Phase)

About KPI Solutions
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.
Position Summary
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.
Key Responsibilities
Proposal and Bid Schedule Development
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.
Schedule Analysis and Risk Assessment
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.
Estimating and Cost Integration
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.
Stakeholder Collaboration
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.
Schedule Governance and Standards
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.
Transition to Project Execution
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.
Requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Education
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.
Experience
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.
Technical Skills
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
Core Competencies
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
Preferred Qualifications
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
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
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
Benefits
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Care Concierge Service
401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax & Roth)
Company paid Basic Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability & Long-Term Disability
Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance
Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Pet Insurance
Milk Stork Program
Wellness Program with gift card redemption and wellness challenges
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 10 Holidays)
Training & Development
KPI Solutions provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by states, federal, or local law.

Work arrangement
No