Associate Development Project Manager

About the role

This role supports our Beauty team, managing product development projects for clients in the retail industry.

Responsibilities

• Interact with account managers and directly with clients to understand their business needs and expectations clearly.
• Own the project once handed over to the development manager and be responsible for its commercial aspects (margins, pricing, contracts, etc.).
• Manage client expectations and build positive working relationships.
• Act as the primary contact for client technical queries and concerns.
• Attend project-based client meetings as required.
• Gently remind the client if delays occur and warn the account manager if deadlines look like they might slip.
• Document all changes from meetings and disseminate them through the organization.
• Provide and issue comprehensive meeting minutes from all client or internal project meetings.
• Remind the account manager, the client, and the development team of upcoming deadlines.
• Ensure the client understands what was done and why it was done, ideally relating it back to the development brief.
• Capture client feedback in a structured manner to move the deliverable closer to finalization.
• Coordinate with Client Business Development or Account Management to ensure all development projects are completed within agreed working parameters.
• Create project proposal/scoping documents and prepare the development project plan, schedule, and budget according to client requirements.
• Assess potential risks and technical challenges and develop appropriate mitigation plans.
• Determine resource requirements and identify resources with the right skills to execute projects successfully.
• Launch development kick-off meetings and debrief relevant departments.
• Set and communicate deadlines for key tasks, negotiating with account managers and the development team as needed.
• Ensure the development team has all they need to do their work, including the right files, the development brief, and clear deadlines.
• Juggle resources and deadlines, adjusting and communicating project schedules as necessary.
• Establish and evaluate timelines using Gantt Charts.
• Prepare detailed project plans for the completion of works, showing key project milestones.
• Liaise with internal resources to identify and specify the most suitable manufacturing materials and processes to meet budget, timeline, and quality requirements.
• Work with external suppliers to perform tasks where project timelines require additional resources.
• Aid with and/or complete prototype and production estimates as required.
• Set up project numbers and sub-sections to record all costs via time or value.
• Ensure quality control parameters for both internal and supplier manufacture are set and controlled.
• Continuously review the project plan, implementing control measures as necessary.
• Develop cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and productivity.
• Brief internal resources on prototype requirements and/or assist with subcontractor briefing.
• Analyze and resolve project issues in a timely and accurate manner.
• Coordinate with the development team (design, engineering, prototype managers, estimating, account services, finance) daily to execute assigned projects within deadlines and budget.
• Maintain quality throughout the prototype process and liaise with the Design, Engineering, and Estimating teams to outline any specification changes or upgrades to equipment and determine their impact on cost.
• Report any cost impact directly to the client on a timely basis to ensure cost recovery.
• Prepare cost and budget reconciliations, ensuring projects are completed within the financial budget.
• Instigate control measures when projects run over budget.
• Liaise with account services to verify that all client invoices are processed and issued in a timely fashion.
• Ensure all prototypes produced are photographed to a high enough standard for use in a corporate presentation.
• Ensure all project documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner, and in accordance with company policy.
• Ensure proper project close-out, including archiving of files so they can be easily accessed in the future.
• Document any learnings.
• Partner with Production Project Managers to ensure a seamless transition from development through handoff to production.
• Create an environment of continuous improvement by constantly reviewing methodologies, procedures, and materials, making and implementing agreed improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a technical program
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exposure to face-to-face interaction with customers and clients
• Ability to manage the development of the project from concept through production
• Ability to work with a variety of team members (Designers, Engineers, Project Managers, Account Managers, Production, Account Services)
• Flexible and adaptable to a fast-paced and multitasking environment

Benefits

• Hybrid schedule: at least two in-office days per week after training
• Medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield (options include 2 PPO plans and 1 HMO plan)
• Dental insurance (offered through 2 PPO plans)
• Access to BCBS Benefit Value Advisor and Member Rewards programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts (for health and dependent care)
• Commuter transit benefit
• 401(k) plan with 6% contribution and 3% company match, including a Roth option
• Company-paid life insurance (3x salary, with the option to purchase additional coverage)
• Company-paid short-term disability insurance (long-term disability optional)
• 16 days of PTO each year
• 9 paid holidays
• Tuition assistance program
• Perks: Early Fridays year-round (finish at 2:30 PM), Volunteer Time Off (VTO) plus company-sponsored volunteer activities, Wellness PTO is encouraged for vacations and mental health breaks, Employee Assistance Program offering legal, financial, and counseling resources, Discounts on fitness center memberships for employees enrolled in Blue Cross plans
• Annual on-site flu clinics in Romeoville and Rolling Meadows for employees and covered dependents (or covered through insurance if off-site)
• Career Development & Training: Encourages professional growth and development with mentors and a variety of training and advancement opportunities
• Compensation: Base salary range for this position is budgeted for $61,746-$93,854, with eligibility for an annual bonus. The actual base salary depends on various factors and could be above or below the range depending on the applicant's qualifications, years of relevant experience, specific skills, level of education, business needs, and market demand. The full salary range for this role reflects this position's competitive labor market value and provides an opportunity to progress as associates grow and develop within the role. Bonuses are paid based on RTC’s financial results. Any payouts awarded in the first year of employment are pro-rated based on the start date. Program rules are subject to change at management’s discretion.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is budgeted for $61,746-$93,854, with eligibility for an annual bonus. The actual base salary depends on various factors and could be above or below the range depending on the applicant's qualifications, years of relevant experience, specific skills, level of education, business needs, and market demand. The full salary range for this role reflects this position's competitive labor market value and provides an opportunity to progress as associates grow and develop within the role. Bonuses are paid based on RTC’s financial results. Any payouts awarded in the first year of employment are pro-rated based on the start date. Program rules are subject to change at management’s discretion.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule: at least two in-office days per week after training.