Job Summary:
The Project Manager is responsible for leading and executing cross-functional manufacturing projects from initiation through completion. This role owns project scope, schedule, cost, risk, and communication for tooling programs, equipment installations, process transfers, and customer-driven launches. The Project Engineer works closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, Suppliers, and Customers to ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and ready for production.
Essential Functions:
Project Planning & Execution:
- Own assigned projects from kickoff through production handoff.
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, and milestones.
- Identify critical path activities, risks, and mitigation plans.
- Drive on-time completion through disciplined execution and follow-up.
- Escalate issues early with recommended solutions.
Cross-Functional Coordination:
- Lead cross-functional teams across Engineering, Tooling, Operations, Quality, and Maintenance.
- Run effective project meetings with agendas, action items, and documented decisions.
- Coordinate internal resources and external vendors to meet project commitments.
- Lead without authority while holding stakeholders accountable to deliverables.
Customer & Supplier Communication:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer projects.
- Provide clear, proactive project updates to customers and internal stakeholders.
- Manage communication with tooling shops, automation vendors, and contractors.
- Align customer requirements with internal execution plans.
Manufacturing, Tooling & Equipment Projects:
- Manage mold builds, modifications, and transfers.
- Coordinate equipment installations, automation, and line builds.
- Support trial runs, qualifications, and production readiness activities.
- Partner with Operations and Quality to ensure successful production launches.
Financial & Scope Management:
- Track project budgets, tooling costs, and purchase orders.
- Manage scope changes and communicate cost and schedule impacts.
- Support forecasting related to project timing and readiness.
Documentation & Reporting:
- Maintain complete and organized project documentation.
- Produce internal and customer-facing status reports.
- Ensure documentation is accurate, current, and audit-ready.
- Capture lessons learned and continuous improvement opportunities.
Qualifications, Education, Skills, and/or Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred.
- 2+ years of project management experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Experience managing tooling, capital equipment, or production launch projects.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and cross-functional workflows.
- Proven ability to manage schedules, risks, and competing priorities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.
- Ability to lead under pressure and navigate conflict professionally.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Plastics injection molding: 1 year (Required)
- Project engineering: 1 year (Required)
- Manufacturing engineering: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
