Project Management Team Lead (Manufacturing)

Reporting to the Manager of Manufacturing Project Operations, this “working manager” role directly leads a team of 5–7 project managers while also assisting during critical project phases. The ideal candidate holds a PMP, has deep material-handling or manufacturing experience, and is passionate about mentorship and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and coaching to project managers of varying experience levels.
• Work with project managers to overcome technical and logistical challenges.
• Proactively review projects to anticipate risks, conflicts, or execution challenges.
• Foster a culture of ownership, preparation, continuous improvement, and proactive problem-solving.
• Communicate expectations, feedback, and direction clearly to team members.
• Coach project managers on risk management, change management, and contingency planning.
• Escalate risks, constraints, and execution concerns to leadership with recommended solutions.
• Lead by example and mentor project managers.
• Cascade critical corporate communications to team members.
• Teach team members the importance of their roles and ensure alignment with company values.
• Initiate and participate in process improvement and tool development for project management tasks.
• Guide the development and completion of the project management department’s annual strategic goals.
• Manage team workload based on project complexity, capacity, and business priorities.
• Monitor team bandwidth and project demands to identify resource constraints or capability gaps.
• Provide training and career development opportunities for team members.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to address project needs within an assigned portfolio.
• Participate in hiring new project managers.
• Review and approve expense reports, vacation requests, and personal time off.
• Create, update, and review incentive plans with team members.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and set personal goals with team members.
• Develop career path plans and recommend team members for awards and promotions.
• Perform quality control reviews for key deliverables developed by team members.
• Promote a strong safety culture across various work environments.
• Provide technical project oversight across the full project lifecycle (planning, execution, monitoring, close-out).
• Maintain strong knowledge of manufacturing, engineering, and integration processes.
• Review proposals, contracts, and new orders for accuracy and commercial/technical issues.
• Plan, execute, and close material handling equipment projects involving custom equipment, robotics, ASRS, Goods-to-Person systems, structures, conveyor, machinery, controls, and software.
• Ensure financial performance of projects managed by the team.
• Estimate and direct internal resources necessary for project completion.
• Manage project resources across multiple states.
• Work with the Procurement Team to manage vendor relationships and contracts.
• Create and maintain documented project plans and schedules.
• Keep complete project records, including change logs, action items, issues, and risk monitoring logs.
• Adhere to work and documentation standards.
• Provide consistent and concise project updates, referencing in-scope deliverables, issues, or risks.
• Support Site Managers in the field to ensure project success.
• Work with accounting to follow up on past due invoices.
• Ensure timely and accurate project deliverables, including drawings, design releases, letters, equipment documentation, spare parts lists, and purchase orders.
• Document, publish, and present project lessons learned.
• Complete project close-out checklists.
• Work weekends and evenings as required for key project milestones (e.g., FAT preparation, go-live events).
• Maintain prompt and consistent work attendance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management discipline.
• Project Management qualifications, including certificates or accreditations (PMP preferred).
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio).
• Experience with MS Project Online and/or MS Planner, including critical path, baseline scheduling, resource management, deliverables, and dependencies.
• Material Handling, Robotics, or Manufacturing background.
• At least 10 years of experience in a Project Management role.
• Understanding of the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Material Handling industries.
• OSHA 10 certification.
• Demonstrated leadership and/or mentorship experience.
• Ability to travel overnight up to 40%.
• Strong leadership, adaptability in communication styles, and interpersonal skills.
• Energetic, ambitious, and hardworking with a structured, organized, and methodical approach.
• Strong sense of customer service and ability to anticipate problems and drive risk reduction.
• Change agent with a desire to enhance standard processes.
• Eligible to work in the USA long-term without sponsorship.
• Commitment to information security policies, including protecting confidential data and reporting security incidents.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match.
• Vacation and Holiday Pay.
• Paid Volunteer Time Off.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Professional Associations, Conferences, and Subscriptions.
• Company Meetings and Events.

Schedule

• 40% overnight travel (travel expenses paid by Toyota Automated Logistics).
• Work weekends and evenings as required for key project milestones.