Project Cost Controller Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Cost Controller is responsible for the planning, tracking, forecasting, and reporting of costs associated with refinery maintenance, small outages, large non-routine maintenance projects (>$250K), turnarounds, and capital construction activities.

This role ensures strong financial stewardship, cost visibility, and disciplined execution aligned with refinery business objectives. The Cost Controller partners closely with Maintenance, Turnaround, Construction, Finance, and Procurement teams to support safe, reliable, and cost-effective asset performance

Job Responsibilities May Include:

• Develop detailed cost estimates and budgets for:
  • Routine maintenance activities
  • Small outages and unit shutdowns
  • Large non-routine maintenance projects (>$250K)
  • Major turnaround events and capital projects
• Support scope definition and validate cost assumptions during FEL, planning, and pre-turnaround phases.
• Assist in funding approvals and budget authorization processes.

• Track and manage all cost elements, including labor, materials, equipment, and contractor spend.
• Maintain accurate cost records across systems (SAP, project tools).
• Monitor:
  • Commitments (POs, contracts)
  • Accruals
  • Actual expenditures
• Ensure alignment between field progress, work orders, and financial reporting.

• Develop and maintain cost forecasts throughout the lifecycle of maintenance events and projects.
• Perform variance analysis (Plan vs. Actual vs. Forecast).
• Identify cost risks, trends, and savings opportunities, especially for:
  • Emergent work during outages
  • Scope growth in non-routine maintenance
• Provide actionable recommendations to leadership.

• Support cost control for turnaround and outage execution, including daily reporting during active events.
• Deliver:
  • Daily cost tracking and burn rate analysis
  • TA/outage-specific dashboards and KPIs
• Track and quantify cost impacts from:
  • Scope changes
  • Productivity variances
  • Schedule deviations

• Provide cost tracking and forecasting for large maintenance projects (>$250K).
• Support Project Managers in managing budget adherence and change control.
• Ensure disciplined cost management consistent with capital project controls where applicable.

• Track, validate, and document cost impacts of scope changes and field execution adjustments.
• Ensure proper approvals and integration into cost forecasts.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) and project controls governance.

• Prepare and present regular cost reports for:
  • Maintenance leadership
  • Turnaround leadership team
  • Construction/project managers
  • Finance and refinery leadership
• Develop clear, concise dashboards and metrics.
• Actively participate in:
  • Daily outage/turnaround meetings
  • Weekly cost reviews
  • Project status and gate reviews

• Maintain data accuracy across SAP, Primavera, and cost tracking tools.
• Drive improvements in cost tracking processes, reporting automation, and data integration.
• Ensure audit-ready documentation and compliance with financial controls.

Position Specific Requirements:

• Available in off hours and days to respond to refinery issues or emergencies, including on-call emergency response functions.

• Hybrid office/field role with frequent engagement during active maintenance, outages, and turnarounds.
• Physical Requirements:
  • Climb ladders
  • Walk up and down steps
• Work in the Following Conditions:
  • At heights
  • Outside in inclement weather

• Work Schedule:
  • Occasionally an altered work schedule over an extended period may be required (maintenance outages and turnarounds)

• Possess a valid Drivers' License
• Candidate must have active TWIC card or be able to obtain a TWIC card. Information can be found at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of cost control experience in refining, petrochemical, or heavy industrial environments.
• Direct experience supporting maintenance, outages, turnarounds, or construction projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in refinery operations, particularly within Maintenance or Turnaround organizations.
• Familiarity with:
  • SAP (cost tracking, work orders, procurement)
  • Primavera P6 (scheduling integration)
  • Advanced Excel and reporting tools
• Understanding of earned value management (EVM) and project controls.

• ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED
• FOR SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR SALARY REQUIREMENTS

Martinez Refining Company LLC, a PBF Energy Subsidiary, offers our employees highly competitive total compensation and benefits packages. Benefits include:

• 401(k)plan with company match
• Pension Plan
• Medical, dental, vision plans and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life insurance, short- and long-term disability
• Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave and tuition reimbursement
• Additional voluntary benefits are offered at group discounts.

The salary range for this position is $106,787.51 - $189,503.19. The compensation range listed in this posting is in compliance with applicable state law. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job-related skills and internal peer equity will be considered in determining the selected candidate's compensation. In addition to salary, PBF offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package.

We thank all respondents for their interest in PBF Holding Company LLC ("PBF Energy"), however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please no phone calls or emails to any employee of PBF Energy about this requisition. Placement agencies or recruiters need not respond. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee of PBF Energy via email, the Internet or in any method without a valid written search agreement will be deemed the sole property of PBF Energy. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by PBF Energy as a result of the referral or through other means.

PBF Energy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision making, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, age, veteran and military status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by law.

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