Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager (Manufacturing)

Company: US Paper Mill Company, LLC

Location: Chillicothe, Ohio

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly organized and results-driven Project Manager to oversee and direct manufacturing projects from conception to completion. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering projects on time, within scope, and within budget. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including engineering, production, procurement, quality assurance, and sales—to ensure seamless execution, process optimization, and maximum efficiency on the production floor.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Define Project Scope: Collaborate with stakeholders to define project objectives, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Develop Master Schedules: Create and maintain detailed project plans, Gantt charts, and milestones to track progress.
• Budget Management: Establish project budgets, monitor expenses, and implement cost-control measures to maximize profitability.
• Risk Management: Identify potential bottlenecks, technical risks, or supply chain disruptions early; develop and execute proactive mitigation strategies.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Communication

• Team Coordination: Lead and motivate multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring clear communication of responsibilities and expectations.
• Stakeholder Reporting: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, upper management, and vendors, providing regular, transparent progress updates.
• Change Management: Manage project scope changes efficiently, evaluating their impact on timeline, budget, and resources.

Production & Quality Control

• Process Alignment: Partner with Manufacturing Engineers and Production Supervisors to transition designs from the prototyping phase to full-scale production.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure all project activities adhere to industry regulations, safety standards (e.g., OSHA), and quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Continuous Improvement: Utilize Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies to identify opportunities for reducing waste, improving lead times, and lowering costs.

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical), Operations Management, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 3–5 years of project management experience specifically within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Certifications: PMP (Project Management Professional) or CAPM certification is highly preferred. Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt is a strong plus.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Project Management software (e.g., MS Project, Asana, Jira, Smartsheet).
• Strong familiarity with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor).
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes (e.g., machining, assembly, fabrication, or injection molding) and product lifecycles.

Soft Skills

• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Working Conditions

• Environment: Split between a professional office setting and the active manufacturing plant/shop floor.
• Physical Demands: Ability to navigate a manufacturing facility, which may require wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, steel-toed boots, and hearing protection.
• Travel: Minimal to moderate travel may be required to visit clients, vendors, or secondary production sites.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary.
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefit packages
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay.
• A supportive, fast-paced team environment with room for professional advancement.

USPM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.