Project Manager

At AMERICAN Pipe & Vessel, we believe in doing things the right way. Our employees earn competitive pay, receive excellent benefits, and have opportunities to grow while making products the world needs.

About the role

As a Project Manager, you will lead and manage American Pipe & Vessel projects using project management concepts, processes, and methodologies. You will oversee the project bill of material, production schedule, delivery schedule, project budget, and overall project plan while maintaining a customer-centric focus to meet or exceed customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the central point of contact between Sales Professionals, APV Engineers, Production Planning, APV Operations, Shipping Managers, customers, consulting engineers, water authority representatives, and other internal departments.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects using project management principles and methodologies, making critical decisions and reporting issues to management.
• Provide technical support and guidance for American Pipe & Vessel product lines.
• Anticipate, identify, and resolve project-related problems resourcefully.
• Understand customer specifications and ensure effective communication to manufacturing during project execution.
• Develop project manufacturing schedules, analyze manufacturing and customer progress, coordinate logistics, and generate report data.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area, follow safety rules, and report equipment malfunctions.
• Collaborate with Sales Engineers, Production Planning, and Project Management to resolve customer scheduling, drawing, technical, quotation, and project management issues.
• Ensure shop drawings, revisions, quotations, submittals, lay schedules, and other drafting work meet department production standards.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of AWWA, ASTM, M11, and other standards related to ductile iron and steel pipe.
• Review and implement value engineering opportunities in the best interest of both AMERICAN and the customer.
• Handle stressful situations professionally and courteously.
• Act as Team Leader for Virtual Teams to resolve customer-related issues.
• Communicate with manufacturing, shipping, Sales Engineers, distributors, engineers, and contractors to gather, resolve, and distribute information for customer requests.
• Develop expert-level understanding of customers' business and unique needs, building partner-type relationships.
• Proactively anticipate customer needs and address them before inquiries arise.
• Identify project risks and be accountable for decisions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure project documentation conforms to SPFA and ISO guidelines.
• Maintain professionalism under high stress and adverse situations.
• Assist in creating and managing continuous improvement programs and execute special projects as requested by management.
• Train other project managers and team members on project management principles and methodologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university (preferred degrees: Engineering, Building Science, Construction Management, Industrial Distribution) or five years of project management experience with a PMP certification. Proof of degree (transcript or diploma) required.
• Outstanding customer service skills, proactive decision-making, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Positive customer service attitude and demeanor.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to respond effectively to customer and vendor requests.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations related to quotes, prices, and credit decisions.
• Ability to read and work with engineering drawings and layouts.
• Technical knowledge to enhance sales, marketing, and service of water pipe fitting product lines.
• Resourcefulness in addressing project needs related to AMERICAN products and their applications.
• Ability to handle confidential information and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Windows-based business software, including spreadsheets, scheduling, and word processing programs.
• Close attention to detail, excellent time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in scheduling, prioritizing, and leadership.
• Ability to work under stress while maintaining composure and professionalism.
• High degree of professional flexibility, adaptability to evolving project management functions, and ability to cooperate well with others.
• Ability to work under pressure in a manufacturing environment.
• Record of punctuality and good attendance.
• Willingness and ability to travel for project management meetings and job-related issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience or training with computer programming and software such as CAD.
• Prior experience with steel pipe fittings, pipe design, sales, and service in a technical environment.
• Field sales and customer service experience or related experience in the water or wastewater industry.
• Knowledge of AMERICAN products and their applications.
• Spanish language ability.

Essential Physical Functions

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk, see, or hear.
• Frequently required to walk, stand, sit, forward reach, and bended reach.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb stairs or ladders, balance, and reach overhead.
• Must occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.