Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager – Phoenix Plant Startup (12-Month Contract) Job Description

The Project Manager – Phoenix Plant Startup will lead the day-to-day coordination and execution of a new manufacturing facility startup in Phoenix, transforming an approved business case into a comprehensive, integrated project plan and driving each workstream to on-time, on-budget completion. This hands-on, 12-month contract role requires strong cross-functional leadership across operations, hiring, regulatory approvals, facility readiness, equipment, procurement, and supply chain. The Project Manager will also act as a key liaison with Mandarin-speaking stakeholders in China, ensuring clear, timely communication of decisions, dependencies, and actions. This is a highly strategic position focused on launching a new manufacturing operation by managing timelines, budgets, equipment readiness, workforce planning, international coordination, and executive-level reporting to deliver a successful plant startup.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the master startup plan for the new Phoenix manufacturing facility, ensuring it accurately reflects all workstreams, timelines, and dependencies.

• Manage project schedules, budgets, milestones, and risks to ensure the plant startup is completed on time and within approved financial parameters.

• Drive alignment between the startup plan and broader business objectives, ensuring all project activities support strategic and operational goals.

• Lead structured project reviews and status meetings to monitor progress, identify issues, and drive timely resolution of risks and blockers.

• Prepare and deliver clear, concise status reports and executive-level updates that highlight progress, risks, decisions, and required actions.

• Coordinate cross-functional activities across operations, HR, Talent Acquisition, regulatory, facilities, equipment, procurement, and supply chain teams to ensure all startup tasks are completed as planned.

• Partner with HR and Talent Acquisition to align hiring, onboarding, staffing, and workforce preparedness with key startup milestones and production ramp-up timelines.

• Oversee readiness of the physical facility, including coordination of equipment installation, testing, and validation to support the planned go-live date.

• Ensure regulatory and compliance-related activities are incorporated into the project plan and completed in line with startup requirements.

• Serve as a primary coordination point with Mandarin-speaking stakeholders in China, facilitating project discussions, clarifying technical and business issues, and ensuring mutual understanding of decisions and actions.

• Translate complex project information between Mandarin and English to maintain consistent communication, alignment, and accountability across global teams.

• Track and manage project risks and issues, develop mitigation plans, and escalate critical items promptly to leadership when necessary.

• Promote accountability across all workstreams by setting clear expectations, tracking commitments, and following up on action items to closure.

• Continuously refine project plans and processes based on feedback and evolving conditions to keep the startup on track and aligned with business needs.

Essential Skills

• Fluency in both Mandarin and English, with the ability to conduct project discussions, clarify technical and business issues, and coordinate actions in both languages.

• 7+ years of project or program management experience leading complex, multi-workstream initiatives.

• Previous experience serving as a project manager for a manufacturing plant startup.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and own integrated project plans, including schedules, budgets, milestones, dependencies, and risk management.

• Strong project leadership skills with experience driving accountability through structured project reviews and status reporting.

• Proven capability to lead cross-functional teams across operations, HR, Talent Acquisition, regulatory, facilities, equipment, procurement, and supply chain.

• Excellent communication skills in both Mandarin and English, including written reports and verbal presentations.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks early and implement effective mitigation strategies.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience coordinating international stakeholders and bridging cultural and language differences in a project context.

• Background in manufacturing operations or plant management environments.

• Familiarity with workforce planning, hiring, and onboarding processes in support of large-scale operational startups.

• Experience preparing executive-level status updates and presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner.

• Comfort with adapting project plans and approaches in response to changing business needs or operational constraints.

Why Work Here?

You will contribute directly to the launch of a new manufacturing operation, working on a highly visible, strategic initiative with significant impact on the organization’s growth. The role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with global stakeholders, including teams in China, and to apply advanced project management skills in a complex, multi-workstream environment. You will gain exposure to executive-level decision-making, cross-functional coordination, and international communication, all within a setting that values accountability, clarity, and structured execution.

Work Environment

This role focuses on the startup of a new manufacturing facility in Phoenix and involves close collaboration with operations, HR, Talent Acquisition, regulatory, facilities, equipment, procurement, and supply chain teams. The position requires a hands-on approach in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment where priorities can shift as the startup progresses. You will regularly coordinate with international stakeholders, including Mandarin-speaking teams in China, using both Mandarin and English in day-to-day communication. The work environment emphasizes structured project reviews, formal status reporting, and disciplined management of schedules, budgets, and risks to ensure a successful plant launch.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Phoenix,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 8, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.