Project Manager - Metals

The Project Manager is responsible for leading and managing projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and meeting quality standards. This role involves coordination between product development, production, logistics, and quality assurance teams to ensure the successful execution of operations, product development, and process improvements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Planning and Execution:
• Develop detailed project plans for new product launches, production upgrades, or process improvements.
• Coordinate with product development, and production teams to establish clear project timelines, milestones, and resources needed.
• Ensure the alignment of project goals with business objectives, customer requirements, and regulatory standards.

Leadership and Coordination:

Lead cross-functional teams including product development, productions, quality assurance, and external stakeholders.

Assign tasks and ensure team members are clear on responsibilities and deadlines.

Foster collaboration between departments and product development teams to ensure smooth project execution.

Budget and Resource Management:

Manage project budgets, ensuring that all necessary resources are efficiently allocated.

Monitor project expenditures, track costs, and adjust plans as necessary to stay within budget.

Oversee procurement of materials and resources needed for production processes and for project completion.

Risk Management and Problem-Solving:

Identify potential risks to the project such as production delays, supply chain issues, equipment breakdowns, or design challenges.

Implement proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure continuity of project operations.

Troubleshoot production or process issues, guiding the team through problem-solving to minimize downtime.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

Ensure that all projects comply with industry standards, safety regulations, and quality controls specific to the company.

Collaborate with the quality assurance team to develop and implement quality control processes during production.

Address any defects or deviations from quality standards promptly, coordinating corrective actions as necessary; and communicating to necessary stakeholders accordingly.

Communication and Reporting:

Provide regular project updates to senior management, highlighting milestones, risks, issues, and progress.

Prepare and deliver status reports, including key performance indicators (KPIs), budgets, and schedules.

Ensure clear communication between all stakeholders, including internal teams, clients, and suppliers.

Post-Project Evaluation:

Conduct post-project reviews to assess the success of the project, identifying areas for improvement.

Evaluate lessons learned and apply findings to future projects for continuous improvement.
REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors Degree in Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Masters Degree or certifications (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma) are preferred
• 5+ years of experience in project management within the foundry or manufacturing industry, particularly in aluminum, magnesium, metal casting, mold design, or production processes.
• Strong knowledge of foundry operations, metal alloys, heat treatment processes, and quality standards will be a plus.
• Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera) and ERP systems.
• Experience in leading teams and collaborating with cross-functional departments to meet project goals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address production and operational challenges.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The position will be located in the office in downtown Chicago
• Onsite 4 days a week and one day remote