Assistant Project Manager - Lighting Dept.

Assistant Project Manager

Location: Frederick Branch

Schedule: Monday – Friday | 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Pay Range: $45,000

Reports To: Customer Service Manager

About Shepherd Electric Supply

Since 1892, Shepherd Electric Supply has been the first call when complex, time-critical electrical challenges need to be solved, and reliability truly matters. We move materials accurately and on time, so contractors stay on schedule, projects stay on track, and customers never have to wonder if we will come through.

Our success comes from people who take pride in doing things the right way — safely, accurately, and with care for teammates and customers alike. If you want to do work that matters at a company that notices, this is the place.

Why This Role Matters

The Assistant Project Manager keeps projects moving. Behind every project that ships complete and on time is disciplined coordination — submittals tracked, orders released on schedule, documentation current, and stakeholders informed before they have to ask. This role owns that coordination.

This is not a passive support role. You are the Project Manager’s partner in execution: chasing submittal approvals, tracking long-lead items, keeping project files accurate, and flagging risks before they become delays. When you do this well, projects stay on schedule, the Project Manager stays focused on the highest-value work, and customers never wonder if Shepherd will come through.

You will work closely with Project Managers, outside sales, purchasing, and vendors — and increasingly with customers directly. For someone who takes ownership and learns the business, this is a structured path toward becoming a Project Manager.

How This Role Connects to Our Compass

We Keep Our Promises: You own the details that keep commitments intact. If a submittal is sitting unapproved, a lead time slips, or a document is missing, you catch it and act — you do not let it fall through the cracks. The team can trust that what you are tracking is handled.

We Stay Hungry: You are always learning — products, processes, systems, and how the best Project Managers work. You look for faster, cleaner ways to keep projects organized, and you ask questions that make you more useful every week.

We Grow Together: You treat handoffs with sales, purchasing, and the project team as shared accountability, not someone else’s problem. You make the people around you more effective, and you invest in your own growth toward a Project Manager role.

We Own It: When something goes sideways — a wrong order, a missed deadline, a documentation gap — you do not wait to be told. You surface it early, help fix it, and note what to do differently next time. No excuses, no blame.

We Go Above & Beyond: You anticipate the next step before it is asked. You flag the long-lead item, update the customer before they follow up, and keep files ready so anyone can step in. You close the gap before it becomes a complaint.

Key Outcomes

Organized by what matters, not just what you do.

Project Coordination & Documentation

• Support Project Managers across the full project lifecycle — from quote and submittal through procurement, tracking, and delivery
• Maintain accurate, organized project files so anyone on the team can pick up where you left off without asking where things are
• Enter and update orders, releases, and project records accurately in Eclipse and related systems
• Keep project timelines, checklists, and status trackers current so nothing slips between updates

Submittal & Order Tracking

• Prepare, submit, and track submittal packages, following up with vendors and customers to keep approvals moving on time
• Monitor long-lead items and open orders, flagging risks to the Project Manager and sales team before they become schedule problems
• Coordinate order releases, phased deliveries, and job site staging with attention to sequencing and site readiness
• Verify order details and documentation for accuracy before releases go out — catch errors here, not at the customer site

Customer & Vendor Communication

• Communicate proactively with customers on status updates, lead time changes, and next steps — before they have to ask
• Support vendor and rep coordination on lead times, availability, substitutions, and delivery exceptions, following through until resolved
• Represent Shepherd professionally and reliably in every interaction, especially when things do not go as planned
• Flag quality, delivery, or documentation issues clearly and promptly so they can be resolved early

Product & Process Learning

• Build working knowledge of electrical and lighting product lines, project workflows, and Shepherd’s systems
• Learn how experienced Project Managers scope, sequence, and execute projects — and apply it to your own work
• Take on increasing responsibility and ownership as your product knowledge and judgment grow
• Stay current on the manufacturers, processes, and tools relevant to the projects you support

Team Support & Improvement

• Step up when the team needs coverage and take ownership of assigned tasks without being asked twice
• Surface recurring errors, bottlenecks, or friction — and bring them forward with proposed solutions, not just complaints
• Contribute to knowledge sharing so what you learn makes the next project easier for the whole team
• Support continuous improvement in how Shepherd manages projects across branches and departments

What Success Looks Like

After 90 days, you and your supervisor should both be able to point to these markers:

• Your assigned projects are organized and documented — no one has to ask you for a status update because the information is accessible
• Submittals and orders are tracked and moving on time, and approvals are followed up without being chased
• Long-lead items and risks are flagged before they threaten the schedule, and the Project Managers trust your tracking
• Customers are hearing from you before they follow up — proactive communication is the standard, not the exception
• Teammates and supervisors trust that your assigned tasks run without close supervision
• You are actively building the product knowledge and judgment needed to grow toward a Project Manager role

Who Thrives Here

This role is a strong fit if:

• You are organized in a way that helps others, not just yourself — your documentation keeps the team moving
• You would rather prevent a problem than fix one later, and you flag issues early instead of hoping they resolve themselves
• You communicate proactively and directly — with customers, with sales, and internally — without waiting to be asked
• You take ownership of your work and follow through without needing constant oversight
• You are curious about the business and want to learn a skilled role, not just fill a shift
• You want a defined path forward and are willing to put in the work to earn it

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business, construction management, or a related field a plus
• 1–3 years of experience in project coordination, order management, inside sales, customer service, or a related role — attitude and reliability matter as much as years
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to track multiple projects and deadlines at once
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams); familiarity with ERP or project management systems a plus, Eclipse experience a plus
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated and comfortable working in a fast-moving team environment
• Electrical, lighting, or construction supply industry experience a plus
• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements

Why Join Shepherd Electric Supply

• Competitive salary with opportunity for growth
• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Prescription drug coverage
• Paid vacation and personal time
• 401(k) with employer match
• Stable organization with over 130 years of industry leadership
• A culture where reliability is noticed, ownership is rewarded, and people come first
• A company scaling into new markets — with real paths to grow with it

Equal Opportunity Employer

Shepherd Electric Supply is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Why should you join Shepherd Electrical Supply?

At Shepherd Electric Supply, excellence in service, pricing, and products has been our mission since 1892. As the oldest wholesale electrical distributor in the Baltimore/Washington area, we take pride in our exceptional customer service and extensive inventory.

We have a rich history of partnering with industry leaders like Siemens and Eaton, and our commitment to quality and innovation has made us a trusted name in the industry. Join our team and be a part of our legacy!

Apply now and find out what’s next for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled

Not the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Introduce Yourself in the top-right corner of the page or create an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!