Manager of Projects

Summary:

The Manager of Projects will lead the Project Management Team to deliver projects on time, on budget, with high quality that ensure a positive project experience is provided to the customer while contributing to the growing profitability of the Company.  This is a hands-on role which requires proficiency in all aspects of Project Management.

Reports to: Director of Project Delivery

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Engineering, Operations, Business, Industrial Engineering, or related field required. Other education levels to be considered based on relevant work experience.
• Proven, relevant work experience in a similar capacity of combined Project Management/Engineering experience in managing a team.
• Experience with handling multiple projects simultaneously ranging in size from $1M to $60M.
• Management characteristics:
  1. Believes in accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
  2. History of mentoring and coaching others
  3. Be a positive role model and lead by example
  4. Comfortable interfacing with Customer, consultants, and upper management
  5. Self-motivated and motivator of others
  6. Enjoys working with others of all skill levels and ability
  7. Enjoys interoffice interaction (with other departments and department leaders)
  8. Excellent time-management skills
  9. Excellent written and verbal communication
  10. Takes initiative and has a superior work ethic
  11. Is creative and enjoys solving problems
  12. Is skillful and experienced in conflict resolution
  13. Provides regularly scheduled guidance to department personnel
  14. Promotes teamwork and collaboration within and amongst departments
• Material Handling background preferred.
• Ability to understand operational flow and requirements.
• Ability to understand and manage project financials from kickoff to completion.
• Skilled in accessing and helping to manage viable sub-contractors, 3^rd party vendors and suppliers.
• Strong interest and ability to understand steps needed to deliver systems inclusive of mechanical, electrical software and controls facets. Note the role is not to be an expert in these disciplines, however, can document the required tasks and understand how each discipline interacts.
• MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, MS SharePoint and navigation of AutoCAD files are required.
• Knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems is a plus.
• Six Sigma training or practical knowledge a plus.
• PMP Certification a plus or completion of PMP certification within one year in the role is a requirement.
• Commitment Required.  Able to set and meet goals; sincere care for others; overwhelming desire to win and to be part of a winning team.

Responsibilities:

General

• Direct the execution of small to large material handling projects, including highest risk and heavy system integration type projects.  They will supervise and mentor the Project Managers and develop those with less experience or skills.

• Ensure all projects are on time, on budget while maintaining quality, safety, customer satisfaction and meeting contractual and functional specifications.
• Lead and motivate Project Managers in achieving company goals
  • Develop career paths for each PM and participate in performance evaluations
  • Develop and implement training plans for each direct report
• Ensure Project Managers have the necessary internal resources to support and communicate with our subcontractors and suppliers as it relates to specific project needs.
• Coach the Project Managers in skills to make sure the client wants to be a customer again in the future, the Customer recognizes our Company’s added value, and a positive relationship has been established and continues to grow. In some cases, the Manager of Projects will need to assist a Project Manager to establish a presence with a client to attain these goals.
• Ensure that clients know that issues and concerns are being addressed quickly, fairly, and professionally and that updates will be provided every step of the way.
• Ensure our Project Management processes are documented, continuously updated, and consistently applied by regular meetings with the Project Managers.

• Monitor and understand organization dynamics and determine when changes are needed to structure to improve interactions and project results.
• Stand-in for Project Managers when they are not available on their projects.
• Assist Manager of Software Integration when assigned.
• Attend and participate in Bi-monthly Operations Meetings.
• Develop and foster relationships with other department managers, host regularly scheduled meetings to collaborate and develop processes for consistent overall project delivery.
• Understand Customer’s business and operational needs.
• Understand the scope that has been proposed and/or sold and ensure that Project Managers provide systems that meet our customers’ business needs.
• Assign, upon consultation with the Director of Project Delivery, the Project Managers to specific projects and manage the PM resource schedule.
• Assist in resolving, identifying, and managing discrepancies between the sales offer and the Systems Functional Requirements Specification (operationally, physically, and financially) in the initial stages of the project and during the development of the FRS/SFRS documentation.
• Skillful in managing our customers’ expectations and building or maintaining a strong professional relationship.
• Coach Project Managers in good post-sales skills to obtain orders for enhancements and follow-up orders.
• Develop an atmosphere for staff where issues are identified early and brought to the table for discussions to influence the outcome (proactive versus reactive).

• Attend Trade Shows representing DMW&H.
• Travel to job sites and possible extended stays (1 day to 2 weeks) at times may be necessary for this position.  Most of the travel is during the work week; however, weekend work may be required on some projects.  Average frequency of travel is approximately six times per year for Customer meetings, installation site visits or trade shows.
• Provide, coordinate and lead regularly scheduled departmental training sessions.

Interactions with Other Departments

• Collaborate with Professional Services Group (PSG) to ensure a clean hand-off is made from Operations for our customers post project support.

• Collaborate with Finance and Procurement to address financial issues.
• Verify Mechanical and Electrical Engineering disciplines are checking design drawings from a system point of view and field readiness.
• Verify Software and Software Project Management tasks are being accounted for in the overall delivery of the project life cycle.
• Collaborate with head of field installations to ensure on-site oversight and support is being provided as needed by project.

Process and Standards

• Follow established procedures for repeatedly delivering projects on time and within budget to meet/exceed customer and Company expectations.
• Possess an understanding of the areas described in the Project Manager job descriptions and Project Management Process documentation.
• Capable of managing a project financially.  Must understand the Company’s financial goals, Operations Reports and be able to balance project decisions against the budget.
• Understand and ensure the description of operation is generated and includes system rates and product flow.
• Understand Engineering design details and principles when necessary.
• Understand material handling equipment (integration of equipment, individual components, rates, software, controls, etc.) and what necessary interactions need to occur within the organization and with external vendors, suppliers etc.

May be assigned to special projects or required to perform other duties which may vary from time to time as determined by management, to meet company needs.