Hector R Soto
Valparaiso,IN
Summary
Driven project manager skilled in leading multiple initiatives within heavy industrial environments. Expertise in ensuring compliance with safety regulations, managing budgets, and facilitating cross-team communication to achieve project goals efficiently.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager
Fives- North American Construction Services
Birmingham, Alabama
01.2026 - Current
- Led project planning and scheduling for multiple construction initiatives.
- Managed multiple projects with competing deadlines simultaneously.
- Developed and maintained project plans, timelines, and budgets.
- Monitored project progress and adjusted plans as necessary to meet deadlines.
- Monitored progress of each project to ensure timely delivery of deliverables in accordance with established quality standards.
- Managed changes to project scope and costs while implementing effective change management processes to maintain project relevance.
- Facilitated cross-team communication to align on project goals and enhance collaboration.
- Managed procurement processes for materials and services needed on-site.
- Oversaw compliance with safety regulations and industry standards throughout projects.
- Conducted risk assessments to proactively identify and address potential project challenges.
- Conducted periodic inspections of job sites for quality and progress.
- Prepared cost estimates for projects of varying sizes.
- Led meetings with internal team members, consultants and contractors.
- Maintained records of all documents related to each project including specifications, change orders, invoices.
Lead Electrical Engineer
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
East Chicago, IN
10.2025 - 01.2026
- Conducted root cause analysis, effectively troubleshooting electrical system failures and minimizing downtime.
- Implemented preventive maintenance programs to enhance equipment reliability and safety.
- Developed and maintained electrical schematics and diagrams, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure project alignment and execution.
- Mentored junior engineers on best practices in electrical engineering standards.
- Took ownership of electrical crew schedule, developing short- and long-term look ahead schedules to align with execution plans.
- Functioned as crew leader, overseeing work of lower-level licensed electricians and trade helpers.
- Coordinated with vendors to procure materials and services, ensuring timely delivery for engineering projects.
- Reviewed and monitored cost and man-hour budget for installation process to develop staff facilities, equipment, and tool requirement plan.
Process Manager (Pickle Line)
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
08.2023 - 10.2025
- Coordinated and executed safe operations with production, maintenance, and management personnel, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Conducted business planning, scheduling, and quality meetings to align production line with customer demand.
- Manages within a budget to achieve a cost-efficient way to produce steel.
- Developed SOPs for new equipment installations and safety changes.
- Collaborated with maintenance to troubleshoot electrical breakdowns, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency.
Electrical Supervisor
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
08.2014 - 08.2023
- Developed and coordinated administration of a PM maintenance program, enhancing inspection procedures, employee training, quality assurance, and maintenance improvement.
- Use predictive technologies combined with historical information to identify dominant deterioration and failure modes, causes/effects of deterioration, corrective actions required, and corrective action implementation.
- Monitored work order system to identify and address repeat failures, driving continuous improvement.
- Develop engineering solutions to maintenance problems, including ways of reducing or eliminating the need for maintenance through equipment replacement or improvement of work practices.
- Maintain premise equipment and supervise daily processes to meet specified company requirements and EPA standards.
- Implemented lockout/tagout procedures for facility equipment to ensure safety compliance.
- Support the planning department in the planning and coordination of repair turns and yearly outage activities.
- Coordinate efforts with operations and process teams to create a dynamic group, so issues can be discussed and mitigated.
- Disseminated facility-specific protocols to streamline workflow and enhance logistical support.
Metal Recover/Scrap Hauler Foreman
TMS International
03.2014 - 08.2014
- Facilitated operations of IMS scrap and metal process to ensure seamless workflow.
- Communicate with the different divisions as specific services are requested by US Steel.
- Organized safety meetings to reinforce safety standards and promote a culture of safety.
- The company offers a full range of services to support every phase of steel production processes at US Steel Gary Works. They provide services that allow steelmakers to run as efficiently, economically, and sustainably as possible.
Sales Manager
Best Buy
05.2009 - 03.2014
- Managed diverse workforce by executing employee processes, including talent sourcing, recruiting, hiring, promotions, and development with store leadership team.
- Achieved increased diversity and reduced turnover, building a strong talent bench.
- Oversaw multiple roles in leading global consumer electronics retail company.
Technician
Wright’s Well Control Services
05.2007 - 03.2009
- Wireline Operator- wireline logging, perforating, fishing, pipe recovery, re-completion, dump bail, tool retrieval, tubing jet cuts, casing jet cuts, etc.
- Contributed to team performing wireline (slick line/electric line), explosive severing, pumping, and plug & abandonment services.
- Operated HT-400 pump (600 hp) at 14,000 psi and maintained Cummins QSX15 engine (660 hp) to ensure optimal performance.
- Heavy Equipment Operator- Forklift, Crane, Front End Loader.
- Staged equipment for events, maintained yard cleanliness, rigged setups to ensure efficient operations.
Education
General Studies
Louisiana State University (online)
05-2026
Secondary Education/History Minor
Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne
01-2005
Marketing
Purdue North Central
01-2004
Marketing
Saint Joseph’s College
01-2003
Skills
- Project coordination
- Cost management
- Schedule coordination
- Personnel development
- Training development
- Team Collaboration
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Risk Assessment
- Compliance Management
- Industrial controls
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Wiring interpretation
- Proficient with electrical test devices
- Routine maintenance
- Preventive maintenance
- Industrial PC literacy
- GE P80i programming
- Machine and Plant Floor Safety
- Safety Certifications (PEC, SafeGulf, SafeLand)
- Fall Protection
- Lockout/Tag-out
- Hazardous communications
- Hazmat (HM 126)
- Confined Space
- Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
- Rigging
- Emergency Response
- Fire Protection
- Welding Safety
- Forklift Safety
- Respiratory Protection
- Hearing Conservation
- Electrical Safety
- Terrorism response training
- Back Safety
- Performance enhancement
- Inventory management/control
- Manual/Operational skills
- Performance enhancement
- Schedule coordination
- Cost management
References
- Hamza Subhani, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Electrical Engineer, 219-798-1700
- Zack Richardson, Process Manager, 219-405-8941
Timeline
Project Manager
Fives- North American Construction Services
01.2026 - Current
Lead Electrical Engineer
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
10.2025 - 01.2026
Process Manager (Pickle Line)
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
08.2023 - 10.2025
Electrical Supervisor
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
08.2014 - 08.2023
Metal Recover/Scrap Hauler Foreman
TMS International
03.2014 - 08.2014
Sales Manager
Best Buy
05.2009 - 03.2014
Technician
Wright’s Well Control Services
05.2007 - 03.2009
General Studies
Louisiana State University (online)
Secondary Education/History Minor
Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne
Marketing
Purdue North Central
Marketing
Saint Joseph’s College