Manufacturing Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Project Manager – Manufacturing

Location: Carol Stream, IL
Job Type: Contract, 6+ Months
Compensation: $60–$65/hr W2

Benefits

As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Three Medical Plan Options
• Dental and Vision Coverage
• 401(k)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Project Manager – Manufacturing Overview

Sterling Engineering is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Project Manager to lead cross-functional projects focused on production improvements, new product introductions, equipment installations, process changes, and operational excellence.

The Manufacturing Project Manager will work closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, and Production teams to manage projects from initial planning through implementation. This position will be responsible for project scope, scheduling, budgeting, resource coordination, risk management, and stakeholder communication while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years of project management experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or production environment and understands Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing projects from planning through implementation, including project scope, timelines, budgets, resources, milestones, and deliverables.
• Manage projects involving new product introductions (NPI), equipment installations, production line modifications, process improvements, and manufacturing changes.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, and Production to ensure successful project execution.
• Develop, maintain, and communicate detailed project schedules, tracking milestones, project risks, dependencies, and resource requirements.
• Monitor project budgets, forecast costs, track expenditures, and help ensure projects meet established financial objectives.
• Identify manufacturing and production challenges and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency, quality, reliability, and overall operational performance.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to identify opportunities for process optimization and waste reduction.
• Communicate project status, priorities, risks, timelines, and resource needs to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Ensure projects meet applicable quality, food safety, manufacturing, and workplace safety requirements.
• Support production ramp-ups, process changes, and equipment implementations while minimizing disruption to ongoing manufacturing operations.
• Work both in an office setting and on the manufacturing floor, following all required safety procedures and PPE guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related technical field preferred.
• 3+ years of project management experience within a manufacturing, industrial, production, or similar environment.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional manufacturing projects from initiation through completion.
• Experience with project scheduling, budgeting, resource management, and stakeholder coordination.
• Working knowledge of MS Project or similar project scheduling software.
• Experience working with ERP systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, or operational excellence methodologies preferred.
• PMP and/or Lean Six Sigma certification is a plus.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with both leadership and hands-on manufacturing teams.
• Comfortable working in a production/manufacturing environment and adhering to required safety and PPE standards.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of high-impact manufacturing projects while partnering with engineering, operations, quality, maintenance, and safety teams. The ideal candidate will have the opportunity to influence production processes, support new product and equipment initiatives, and contribute to ongoing continuous improvement and operational excellence.