A Manufacturing Project Manager maintains relations between the manufacturing company and the clients to which it sells and distributes. They manage a variety of accounts and projects; they also assess new build plans, assess various procedures in the production process, and maintain an open line of communication with vendors and clients. The project manager works with the company's customers directly to assess and help meet their needs. In addition, the project manager has responsibilities in the direct manufacturing facility. They ensure that safety guidelines are met and any potential risks are eliminated.
The Manufacturing Project Leader manages custom equipment orders, contract modifications, and technical project files from contract initiation through delivery. This position serves as a central liaison between Engineering, Planning, Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance to maintain order integrity, project schedules, cost, quality, and delivery requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Review incoming projects, define the critical path, and establish manufacturing strategies based on capacity, quality, cost, and customer delivery requirements. Release manufacturing Bills of Materials (BOMs) and coordinate with Purchasing to secure long-lead raw materials. Establish and track target dates for engineering and manufacturing process releases. Manage project calendars and track components through engineering, planning, machining, assembly, quality, and testing. Identify schedule delays and bottlenecks and proactively recommend corrective actions to management. Manage customer change orders by coordinating workflow pauses, documentation updates, cost recalculations, and required approvals before production resumes. Track and analyze Work In Process (WIP) data in the ERP system, comparing actual performance against estimates and identifying deviations. Maintain accurate project files and documentation throughout the full purchase order lifecycle, from intake through invoicing. Build and maintain daily and weekly manufacturing schedules based on customer delivery dates and management priorities. Maintain consistent communication with departments and leadership regarding project risks, bottlenecks, and production delays. Lead project schedule review meetings focused on status, upcoming opportunities, risks, and assigned action items. Conduct product closure meetings to document risks, opportunities, and lessons learned for future process improvements. Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
3-5 years of experience in manufacturing project administration, production planning/scheduling, or a similar operations role. Experience working in a build-to-order, make-to-order, or engineer-to-order manufacturing environment. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects or orders with competing deadlines. Strong working knowledge of ERP systems and Windows applications. Ability to analyze data and compare actual performance against estimated performance. Understanding of manufacturing processes including engineering release, machining, assembly, quality, and testing. Strong meeting facilitation, organizational, and time management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to identify and escalate risks and recommend corrective actions. Strong attention to detail, accuracy, accountability, and problem-solving skills. Ability to build effective working relationships with customers and coworkers. Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Manufacturing, or a related field. An associate's degree combined with relevant experience may be considered in place of a bachelor's degree.
Work Environment:
Primarily an office environment in a controlled-atmosphere building with minimal noise. Periodic work in the manufacturing shop area. Regularly works with Engineering, Planning, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and leadership. Monday-Friday Position requires frequent sitting, manual manipulation, and speaking, with occasional standing, walking, reaching, and grasping.
