Project Manager (Ashland)

Project Manager – Industrial Automation

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Based at an operations hub with travel to customer sites as needed

Position Overview

We are seeking a Project Manager to lead a portfolio of industrial automation and systems integration projects for manufacturing customers. This individual will be responsible for delivering projects on time, within budget, and to quality and safety standards while maintaining strong customer relationships and maximizing project profitability.

The Project Manager will oversee project scope, schedules, budgets, forecasting, commissioning, stakeholder communication, and overall project performance. This is a hands-on, customer-facing role that requires technical knowledge of industrial automation, strong financial and project management skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams through influence rather than direct authority.

Success in this position is measured by monthly gross profit, customer satisfaction, project execution, and the ability to build long-term customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Execution

• Own the successful delivery of multiple industrial automation and systems integration projects from planning through commissioning and closeout.
• Develop, maintain, and manage project schedules, budgets, forecasts, milestones, and resource plans.
• Monitor project performance against scope, schedule, cost, quality, and safety requirements.
• Identify risks, resolve project issues, manage change orders, and implement corrective actions to keep projects on track.
• Maintain accurate project reporting and communicate status, risks, and financial performance to internal stakeholders.

Customer Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day customer contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Build strong customer relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and effective expectation management.
• Lead project meetings, provide regular updates, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Anticipate customer concerns and address issues before they affect project delivery.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen customer relationships, support repeat business, and improve long-term profitability.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Manage project economics, including budgets, cost tracking, forecasting, and monthly gross profit performance.
• Understand project contracts, commercial terms, scope boundaries, and change-order requirements.
• Reconcile project costs with deliverables and identify financial risks or opportunities.
• Make informed decisions regarding scope, schedule, resources, and costs to maintain project profitability.
• Partner with commercial and operational teams to ensure accurate estimates, forecasts, and financial reporting.

Technical & Operational Leadership

• Lead cross-functional project teams, including engineers, technicians, commissioning specialists, and other operational resources.
• Coordinate project activities across automation, controls, systems integration, and manufacturing environments.
• Apply sufficient technical knowledge to understand project requirements, evaluate scope, identify risks, and lead technical discussions.
• Support project installation, testing, startup, and commissioning activities at customer facilities.
• Ensure project teams follow established processes, quality standards, and safety requirements.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead through influence and collaboration rather than direct reporting authority.
• Coordinate resources from operations managers, regional teams, and technical specialists.
• Establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and keep team members aligned on project priorities.
• Adjust project plans and resources when projects encounter delays or changing requirements.
• Work within established project management frameworks and processes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience managing industrial automation, systems integration, or technical services projects from initiation through completion.
• Background supporting manufacturing, industrial, or production environments.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation systems, controls, and related technologies.
• Familiarity with PLCs, DCS, SCADA, HMI, MES, or similar industrial systems.
• Experience developing project schedules, managing budgets, tracking costs, and forecasting financial performance.
• Understanding of project contracts, scope management, change orders, and commercial considerations.
• Strong customer-facing communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commitment to project quality, workplace safety, customer satisfaction, and financial results.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP certification or other recognized project management credentials.
• Experience with PMI or PMBOK project management methodologies.
• Experience with industrial commissioning, controls integration, or automation deployments.
• Experience managing project margins, gross profit, and financial forecasts.
• Experience working in a professional services or systems integration business.

Key Competencies

• Technical and systems integration knowledge
• Manufacturing and industrial operations experience
• Project planning, scheduling, and execution
• Financial and commercial acumen
• Customer engagement and relationship management
• Risk management and change control
• Cross-functional leadership and team accountability
• Proactive communication and problem-solving
• Safety and quality awareness

Work Environment & Travel

This position is based at an operations hub, with travel to customer sites as required by project schedules. Travel is necessary to support customer engagement, project execution, installation, and commissioning activities within manufacturing facilities.

Important: This is a professional services and industrial automation project management role, not a traditional construction project management or plant operations position.

Measures of Success

• Projects delivered within agreed scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety requirements.
• Strong customer satisfaction and lasting customer relationships.
• Accurate forecasting and effective management of project costs and gross profit.
• Proactive identification and resolution of project risks and issues.
• Effective coordination of technical teams and resources.
• Consistent project reporting, accountability, and successful project closeout.
• Growth in portfolio profitability and repeat customer business.