Project Manager-Industrial/Manufacturing

Role Description

This Project Manager role leads capital, automation, and integrated systems projects across multiple manufacturing sites with safety as the first priority in every decision, design review, site visit, and project launch. The position is responsible for managing scope, cost, schedule, technical alignment, and stakeholder communication from RFQ review through installation and startup. The ideal candidate combines strong project leadership, commercial judgment, technical understanding, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver reliable turnkey solutions that are safe, competitive, on time, and on budget.

• Lead and manage projects across multiple manufacturing sites, ensuring safe execution, consistent communication, and alignment with business objectives.
• Promote a Safety First culture by incorporating safety, quality, and risk mitigation into project planning, vendor selection, equipment reviews, site evaluations, and launch readiness activities.
• Oversee cost estimating and quoting for automated and integrated systems, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with company strategy.
• Evaluate RFQs, quality requirements, supplier drawings, and technical specifications to identify risks, clarify requirements, and define scope for complete turnkey solutions.
• Partner with clients, sales teams, vendors, and OEM partners to develop proposals that connect technical performance, operational reliability, and commercial goals.
• Conduct on-site evaluations, take field measurements, and lead technical discussions to develop high-performing, reliable automation and packaging solutions.
• Develop and improve vendor evaluation processes, including RFQs, design reviews, cost analysis, and supplier assessments, to identify best-fit OEM equipment and integration partners.
• Negotiate pricing, secure favorable vendor terms, and maintain strong supplier relationships to support smooth integration and on-time project execution.
• Support the development and maintenance of approved vendor lists based on safety, quality, performance, cost, and delivery criteria.
• Translate technical requirements into actionable engineering and project plans, ensuring clear communication across sales, manufacturing, maintenance, and leadership teams.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, deliverables, and change control to keep projects on time and on budget.
• Coordinate internal and external resources, collect feedback, resolve issues, and drive accountability to ensure each project launch is successful.
• Support the development of other engineering team members by assisting with RFQs, planning assumptions, and project timelines.
• Coordinate project launches with plant production and maintenance teams to minimize disruption, ensure readiness, and achieve safe, efficient startup.
• Provide regular project status updates, identify risks early, and escalate critical issues with recommended solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Project Management, or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing projects in manufacturing, packaging, automation, material handling, or integrated systems environments.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously across cross-functional teams and plant locations.
• Strong understanding of RFQ review, scope development, estimating, quoting, vendor evaluation, and technical proposal development.
• Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, quality requirements, and supplier documentation.
• Experience managing project costs, schedules, risks, and resource coordination.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel to manufacturing sites and customer locations as needed.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as to collaborate in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze problems and determine viable solutions; solid decision-making skills.
• Proficient at basic math calculations.
• PC skills including proficiency with MS Office.
• Willingness to work with product that is dirty.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training.
• Experience with turnkey capital projects, OEM equipment sourcing, and automated packaging systems.
• Background in multi-site manufacturing operations or industrial automation integration.
• Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, startup, and plant handoff activities.
• Knowledge of vendor qualification practices, cost analysis, and commercial contract terms.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, or structured problem-solving methods.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, write, and speak English; bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Regularly required to use hands to handle and feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, and crouch.
• Ability to fulfill office activities normally expected in an office setting, including remaining seated for periods of time, performing computer entry, participating in filing activity, and lifting and carrying office supplies (paper reams, mail, etc.).
• Must lift and/or move product up to 60 pounds several times during their shift.
• May be required to make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls; use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls; use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Regularly required to perform fine hand manipulation (keyboarding).
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• May require more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Must be flexible in regards to work schedule and have the ability to work nights and weekends as required.

Work Environment

• This position is remote with up 50-75% travel to manufacturing site locations.
• This position works in standard office and manufacturing environments.
• The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate; the noise level in the production environment is typically loud and dusty.