Project Manager (Industrial Automation Manufacturing)

About the role

We are seeking a results-driven Project Manager to lead medium- to large-scale manufacturing projects from concept through commissioning. The role is focused on delivering projects on time, on budget, and to specification in a manufacturing environment, coordinating cross-functional teams, suppliers and stakeholders. Experience in manufacturing project delivery is required; familiarity with welding automation, web handling/web converting, industrial automation and robotics is highly desirable. The position is ONSITE Monday‑Friday in Waukesha, WI.

Responsibilities

• Plan, define and manage project scope, schedule, budget and resources for manufacturing and automation projects.
• Lead cross-functional project teams including engineering, production, quality, procurement and external vendors to ensure aligned objectives and timely delivery.
• Develop and maintain project plans, milestones, risk registers and change control processes; proactively identify and mitigate risks and issues.
• Manage supplier and contractor relationships, negotiate contracts, and oversee procurement to ensure timely delivery of equipment and services.
• Coordinate design reviews, engineering deliverables, factory acceptance tests (FAT) and site acceptance tests (SAT); support installation, commissioning and start-up activities.
• Ensure projects comply with safety, quality and regulatory standards; drive documentation, test records and handover packages for operations.
• Communicate project status and key metrics to stakeholders and senior management through regular reports and presentations.
• Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned, optimizing processes and promoting best practices in project execution and manufacturing integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline; relevant technical diploma will be considered.
• 5+ years of project management experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment delivering equipment and automation projects.
• Proven experience managing budgets, schedules and cross-functional teams; strong track record of on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and techniques; hands-on familiarity with automation concepts.
• Nice to have: experience with welding automation, web handling and web converting systems, industrial automation (PLCs, drives), robotics integration and related controls.
• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet or similar) and ERP systems; competency in reading technical drawings and specifications.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving and leadership skills; able to influence and drive outcomes in a matrix organization.
• Willingness to travel to supplier sites and customer locations as required.