Project Manager - Gear

Why This Role Matters The Gear Project Manager sits at the intersection of technical product knowledge and customer execution. Gear – power tools, hand tools, safety equipment, and jobsite essentials – is one of the most volume‑driven, relationship‑dependent categories in our portfolio. Contractors count on us to have what they need, when they need it, without friction. That starts here. This is not a catalog‑quoting role. You own the project lifecycle for gear procurement from initial quote through delivery, managing vendor relationships, tracking availability, resolving substitutions, and keeping every stakeholder aligned. You are the reason a job site does not shut down waiting on tools and the reason a contractor calls Shepherd before anyone else the next time. You will work closely with outside sales, purchasing, and directly with customers. The work requires product depth, timeline ownership, and the kind of proactive communication that keeps surprises from becoming problems. How This Role Connects to Our Compass We Keep Our Promises: You own the project schedule and customer commitments. If a lead time shifts, a product is discontinued, or a delivery is at risk – you know before the customer does and you have already started solving it. Your reliability is what earns the next order. We Stay Hungry: The tools market moves fast – new manufacturers, updated specs, pricing changes. You stay current. You bring product knowledge that helps customers make better decisions, and you proactively identify better or more available solutions before they ask. We Grow Together: You work across sales, purchasing, and project teams – and you treat those handoffs as shared accountability, not as someone else’s problem. Your wins are team wins, and you help the broader team get smarter about gear along the way. We Own It: When a project goes sideways – wrong spec, back‑ordered item, missed delivery window – you do not wait for someone else to intervene. You surface it early, own the recovery, and document what to do differently next time. We Go Above & Beyond: You anticipate the follow‑up before it is asked. You flag the long‑lead item before it becomes a delay. You notice that the spec has a conflict, and you tell the customer before they find it on the job site. That is what separates a great Gear PM from an order taker. Project Ownership & Execution Own the full lifecycle of gear projects – from quote review through procurement, tracking, and delivery – with clear documentation at each stage. Coordinate with customers, sales reps, and vendors to ensure orders are placed accurately, lead times are confirmed, and approvals are obtained on time. Track long‑lead and high‑demand items and flag risks to the sales team and customer before they become schedule problems. Manage order releases, phased deliveries, and job site staging requirements with attention to sequencing and site readiness. Maintain organized, accessible project files so anyone on the team can pick up where you left off without asking you where things are. Customer Relationship Management Build and maintain direct relationships with contractors, project owners, and foremen – you are their go‑to at Shepherd for gear and tools. Anticipate customer needs and communicate proactively – status updates, availability changes, substitution recommendations – before they ask. Represent Shepherd’s reliability in every interaction, especially when things do not go as planned. Support outside sales by providing accurate, professional quotes and product guidance that helps close business and retain customers. Product & Technical Expertise Develop and maintain working knowledge of gear and tool product lines – power tools, hand tools, safety equipment, fasteners, and jobsite accessories – to advise customers and identify better solutions. Translate project requirements into accurate bill‑of‑materials and procurement plans, catching conflicts or omissions before they create field problems. Identify cost‑effective substitutions or alternatives when specified products are unavailable or long‑lead, and obtain approval from the appropriate parties. Stay current on manufacturer updates, supply‑chain conditions, and product‑line changes relevant to the Mid‑Atlantic market. Vendor & Purchasing Coordination Maintain strong working relationships with gear manufacturers and rep agencies to ensure priority service, accurate lead times, and access to technical support. Coordinate with purchasing on stock availability, special orders, and blanket releases to support project timelines. Communicate quality or delivery exceptions clearly and promptly – and follow through on resolution without needing to be chased. Process Improvement & Team Contribution Surface patterns in project failures – recurring errors, substitution overuse, late deliveries – and bring them forward with proposed solutions, not just complaints. Contribute to team knowledge sharing: what you learn about a product, a manufacturer, or a project type should make the next PM’s job easier. Support continuous improvement in project management processes across Shepherd’s branches and departments. What Success Looks Like After 90 days, you and your supervisor should both be able to point to these markers: Your active projects are organized and documented – no one needs to ask you for a status update because the information is accessible. Customers are hearing from you before they have to follow up – proactive communication is the standard, not the exception. Orders are placed accurately, lead times are confirmed, and substitutions are handled without causing delays. Long‑lead and constrained items are flagged before they threaten the schedule, and the sales team trusts your tracking. You have identified at least one area of process improvement in how Shepherd handles gear projects and brought it forward. Your vendor relationships are active – you know the reps, they know you, and you are getting what the project needs. Who Thrives Here This role is a strong fit if you own the outcome, not just the task – you do not consider something done until the customer has what they need and knows it. You are organized in a way that helps others, not just yourself – your documentation keeps the team moving. You communicate proactively and directly – with customers, with sales, and internally – without waiting to be asked. You are technically curious about tools and gear and willing to invest in becoming the person others turn to. You treat back‑order situations, substitution requests, and delivery exceptions as normal project‑management challenges – not as crises. You build relationships with vendors and use them – you do not treat them as order‑fulfillment machines. You want to work on projects where execution quality is visible and valued, and where your reliability creates lasting customer loyalty. Qualifications & Requirements High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field preferred. 3–5 years of project management or inside sales experience in electrical wholesale distribution, industrial supply, construction supply, or a related industry. Demonstrated experience managing project timelines, customer deliverables, and vendor coordination with minimal supervision. Working knowledge of tools, gear, and jobsite equipment – or a strong foundation and genuine commitment to developing expertise quickly. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) and familiarity with ERP or order management systems; Eclipse experience a plus. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – written, verbal, and client‑facing. Ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively under deadline pressure. Self‑motivated, results‑focused, and comfortable working in a fast‑moving team environment. Electrical or industrial distribution experience strongly preferred. Ability to successfully complete pre‑employment screening requirements. Compensation Details The expected pay rate for this position is starting between $60,000–$70,000 annually, depending on experience. Work Shift and Hours Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm, in office. Equal Opportunity Employer Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled. #J-18808-Ljbffr Shepherd Electric Company, LLC.