Manufacturing Project Manager

Position Summary:

Manage the overall process of Machine Project Execution (externally and internally focused) - from order receipt through final payment, for machines manufactured at The Gleason Works, Rochester. This position provides leadership and management for the project and is charged with the successful execution of all tasks, activities, and deliverables as deemed necessary to meet customer expectations. This position has the project / program responsibility and as such is required to interact with the customer (external) and the corporation (internal) with regard to project status and execution throughout the life of the project.

Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for overall Project Launch Process, Project Execution, Risk Management and Schedule Attainment.
• Serves as the customer advocate within the Company and takes an objective position when considering customer specifications, requests and needs.
• Direct management and leadership for all processes related to project management, including Project Schedule Review (PSR), Co-Chairs the Technical Review Meeting (TRM), Chairs the Project Launch Meeting (PLM), Perfect Installation.
• Responsible to develop the TRM open issue list consisting of unresolved issue or questions identified within the TRM. This position is responsible to ensure assignments and due dates are acquired for the resolution of these items and actively manages this process to complete resolution.
• Responsible to perform a risk analysis for each program / project and communicate this information to the responsible party. Must ensure that the risk is being mitigated and that contingencies are in place where applicable.
• Collaborates with all technical and commercial company functional areas to ensure that project requirements are understood and all sub- project schedules are developed as required to support the overall program schedule.
• Prepares, maintains Project Timelines, schedules to line of sight milestones
• Provides formal project updates directly to Customers
• Coordination of Customer Runoff visits relating to machine orders. Ensures that all customer requirements for a successful visit are identified, defined, and communicated to the responsible parties.
• Responsible for the management / resolution of all Post Goods Inventory (PGI) issues associated with their projects.
• Participates in Financial review of order and accounts receivable process.
• Responsible for establishing project budget and oversight of costs including labor, materials, contractual obligations.
• Contains project scope and related costs through customer pre-acceptance process and collaborates with responsible regional offices to do the same through the project final acceptance.
• Responsible to develop and foster positive relationships with worldwide Customers, Gleason Sales/Dealers
• Coordinates entertainment and transportation of Customers during evenings, weekends, and holidays
• As required, participates in the Proposal and selling processes, attends Line-Up Meetings at Customer sites, travels during the course of the order to the Customer site to attend status meetings, travels to other Gleason Machine Divisions
• Coordinates machine installation and commissioning activities with Gleason Service Solutions Team
• Prepares formal reports and is responsible for the lead role with regard to any and all customer issues involved with the execution of the project. This would include travel, as necessary, for project issues discussion with the customer. Serves as the focal point for internal escalation of issues and the subsequent resolution of same. Proven ability to mediate.
• Participates in preparation of Team Work Instructions and generation of Continuous Improvement initiatives

Qualifications                        

• Bachelor degree in Business, Project Management or related Engineering field and 7-10 years of experience and/or training
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing programs / projects from inception through execution resulting in a successful conclusion with regard to customer satisfaction and achievement of company goals.
• Extensive experience in Project management for capital goods, preferably industrial and as a supplier of goods and services.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Have the ability to present information to a variety of audiences including management, customers, vendors, peers, etc. Ability to translate complex commercial and technical requirements for all involved in the project.
• Experience working directly on site with Customers in related Project Manager position, preferably internationally
• Working knowledge of International Customer contracts, foreign exchange, forward cover, title transfer, INCOTERMS, cost accounting, accounts receivables, design review and approval process
• Position requires frequent evening/weekend work hours as needed to accommodate Customer visits
• Previous related International travel experience desired.  Multi-lingual skills desired.
• Demonstrated experience in Team building/leadership
• Demonstrated experience with project risk analysis and the mitigation / resolution of same.
• Proven experience on Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement projects
• Working experience with Quality Systems and QS9001
• Industrial production experience desired, preferably in a machine products related industry
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required for periods which may exceed 2 weeks at a time approximately 10 – 15% of the time.
• MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project (or equivalent), relevant SAP modules, and Global Phone and Web Conferencing