Senior Project Manager

As Senior Project Manager, reporting to the CEO, this person will lead the project management of the building and commissioning of automation solutions and full lines, from the customer's signing an order to installing the solution at their plant. The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for managing a team that includes fabrication, building, programming, electrical wiring, and commissioning.

The project management role will also include developing professional relationships with customers, updating them on projects, and collecting requests. The Senior Project Manager must interface effectively with the technical, engineering, and commercial teams to ensure that the client delivers the right products at the right price and to the highest specification, meeting both customer and channel partner requirements.
The supply chain must be developed to ensure that, through strategic procurement and partnered outsourced manufacturing, prototypes can be successfully taken through to full production with minimal time lag.

The appointed candidate must understand the various processes involved in successfully launching a product, driving a roadmap across the business to ensure that every area engages to meet project milestones. It is essential that the individual has a proven record of on-time, within-budget project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership to the engineering team, creating a centre for technical excellence that proactively supports customer requirements both internally and externally.
• Work closely with other executives to contribute significantly to the design and development of a product roadmap that takes into account the need for lean manufacturing processes.
• Implement strong commercial risk management to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead outsourcing activities in conjunction with the Supply Chain to optimise external partnerships and create value for the projects.
• Develop talent and leadership within the various engineering functions to ensure skills remain cutting-edge.
• Improve internal communications and processes to keep projects on track and optimise the use of management information.
• Create an optimal organisational structure with the right people and skill sets.
• Act as a catalyst for a positive, results-oriented culture that meets agreed objectives.
• Introduce a sense of urgency across the team to ensure projects stay on track and communicate the commercial implications of delays.
• Manage design, fabrication, build, electrical wiring, and software teams to deliver solutions on time and on budget.
• Oversee multiple complex projects and installations in different regions, both domestically and internationally, and develop progress/final reports for both internal teams and customers.
• Address customer inquiries, resolve issues, manage design changes, and obtain proactive feedback from customers.
• Manage the FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and SAT (Site Acceptance Test) for solutions, ensuring 100% compliance with user requirements.
• Ensure that all documentation for solutions is accurate and complete.
• Ensure correct hours are logged into the ERP system.
• Monitor and manage project budgets to prevent overruns.
• Lead the GANTT process and Gemba walks.

Experience

• Contribute significantly to the design and development of product manufacturing and supply chain strategy, considering lean manufacturing processes.
• Lead manufacturing, after-sales service, and supply chain outsourcing activities in collaboration with operations to optimise the value chain.
• Foster a positive, results-oriented culture that aligns with agreed objectives.
• Implement and manage 3rd party outsourcing performance frameworks and interfaces.
• Develop and implement project management performance frameworks for development projects that deliver production-grade prototypes.
• Proven commercial acumen to win business and build deep, lasting customer relationships.
• An astute people manager who can thrive in a small yet growing team.

The Person
This individual will be an experienced manufacturing practitioner with the gravitas to influence and drive new solutions alongside the management team while maintaining a hands-on approach. The culture is driven and requires high energy and commitment to achieving goals within tight deadlines. As the team and resources are limited, the ability to focus on key issues and deliver results is essential.

The Senior Project Manager will need the gravitas to inspire and build confidence with both colleagues and customers.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Five or more years in the automation and machine-building industry, with experience in technical systems installations and computerized system applications.
• Highly developed mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Experience project managing complex projects.
• Strong customer/client relationship management experience, demonstrating success in driving customer satisfaction and quality.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability, consistently delivering on commitments.
• Experience prioritizing and managing multiple tasks/issues simultaneously, with strong attention to detail.
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills, with the ability to motivate, build high-performance cross-functional teams, and lead a geographically dispersed team.
• Extensive project management experience in complex automation builds.
• Flexibility and resilience to adapt to changing and uncertain conditions.
• Experience developing employees and teams, acting as a coach and facilitator.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally with notice.
• Experience using ERP systems for planning and reporting.

Job Attractiveness
The client is well-positioned in its market and ready to capitalise on new product development and growth in new markets. With the recent appointment of new leadership personnel, this is an exciting phase to join the company.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person