Project Manager

About the Role

Directly responsible for project management functions relating to a complex customer base, or complex launch promotional projects, including interaction with the customer's decision makers.

Responsibilities

• Supports sales in estimating and preparing quotes by reviewing customer expectations and capturing costs associated with manufacturing and value-added services; prices under established guidelines as set forth by Sales Manager & General Manager.
• Validates sales contracts and purchase orders; ensures agreements are in place and properly managed.
• Coordinates appropriate approvals including proof approvals, draw-downs, press checks, and design changes incorporating understanding of art, bleed, and registration for production.
• May lead or participate in First Article Check/Press Checks to validate that components are manufactured and the display is built according to specifications.
• Builds order specifications, prepares material plans, places orders for materials with pre-approved vendors, creates bill of materials, enters sales orders in the order entry system, handles miscellaneous invoicing, and maintains appropriate records.
• Engages design department in scope of project to define and resolve issues.
• Recommends changes based on account and manufacturing knowledge (i.e., routing, preprint vs. litho, etc.).
• Leads preproduction meetings and develops timelines for order/project execution and customer on boarding by acting as filters of information and facilitator of communication flow between departments in the facility and external parties.
• Sets up new warehouse accounts requiring building, monitoring, replenishing of inventory, both raw material and finished goods as applies.
• Investigates and resolves customer complaints by involving appropriate departments and suppliers to resolve issues.
• Seeks guidance for process solutions; ensures special work instructions are changed in spec process to complete corrective action for future repeat orders.
• Has a high level of authority to resolve issues within current processes.
• Is proficient at the fundamentals of project management and applies principles within the established systems to facilitate the execution of the work.

Qualifications, Skills, and Knowledge

• Customer/retailer requirements are typically complex in nature and often have multi-faceted aspects, including high dollar inventories and multiple SKUs that flow through our facility or through outsourced pack-out suppliers.
• The life cycle of a particular project from RFQ to execution may be lengthy (in excess of 6 months) so the opportunity to learn and execute project management processes may also be lengthy.
• Fast-paced, constantly changing culture that requires a high level of internal collaboration, frequent interaction, and effective communication with sales, project management, manufacturing, contract packaging, logistics, and finance.
• The Project Manager has direct interaction with customers, external and internal business contacts, external vendors, suppliers, and contractors.
• May serve in a mentor/coach to both CSRs & PMs for both mentor and cross training opportunities based on their current capabilities and or customer base.
• The successful candidate must be comfortable working independently on a day-to-day basis but equally adept at working closely with and influencing internal stakeholders to support the execution of projects.
• Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and imminently accurate with data.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively use priority management skills is critical.
• Must be capable and comfortable of knowing when to challenge the "norm," pushing the envelope, helping with continuous improvement, and eliminating waste.
• Must be able to operate within defined systems (Macola, HRMS, SAP, Access databases, customer's systems).
• Three to five years work experience in customer service, business-to-business inside sales, order management, purchasing, or manufacturing planning.
• Associate's or BA/BS preferred, commensurate work experience in customer service, inside sales, or other management roles.
• Well-developed understanding of the corrugated industry and processes.
• Understanding of manufacturing equipment capabilities, retail & display packaging needs, and how orders can most effectively flow through the facility.
• Knowledge of various printing processes and methods to get artwork applied to retail packaging and display.

Pay

$65,100 - $86,800 (PL 8). Multiple factors, including individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Schedule

Salaried Full-Time

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions
• Paid Time Off
• Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement)
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets
• Leadership training, promotional opportunities

Location: 139 E Fullerton Ave, Carol Stream, IL 60188