What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Manager position at WEM Automation - A Valstone Company?
Title: Project Manager
Company: WEM Automation (Valstone Portfolio)
Location: In person - W237N2920 Woodgate Road, Suite 100, Pewaukee, WI 53072, US
About WEM Automation
WEM Automation LLC is the leading supplier of control systems for the feed and grain, aggregate, concrete, and asphalt industries. Founded in Milwaukee in 1955, WEM has spent over 70 years delivering trusted process automation systems across North America — constantly evolving its capabilities to capture tangible value for customers.
WEM's purpose is simple: unlock tangible value for the animal feed and aggregates industries through automation and analytics. Our success is built not only on engineering excellence but on the strength of our customer relationships and our ability to execute complex projects with precision.
WEM Automation is a Valstone company. Valstone is an industrial software conglomerate that acquires and operates mission-critical software businesses across agriculture, logistics, food processing, bulk materials, and manufacturing — taking a long-term, buy-and-hold approach to building businesses.
About the Role
Own the Details. Shape the Outcome. Be the Calm in the Chaos.
We're looking for a Project Manager who thrives at the intersection of structure and people — someone who is organized, clear, and steady, even when the stakes are high and the details are complex. This is a client-facing role that's all about creating clarity, building alignment, and driving progress across cross-functional teams.
If you're the kind of person who loves keeping things on track, influencing without direct authority, and solving problems before they become fire drills — you'll thrive here.
Responsibilities
Be the Bridge Between Teams and Customers
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customer projects, ensuring scope is defined, expectations are aligned, and progress is transparent.
• Translate technical plans and internal priorities into clear action items and timelines.
• Keep both internal teams and customers focused, informed, and aligned.
Navigate Complexity with Clarity and Control
• Track milestones, dependencies, and risks with obsessive clarity.
• Proactively address blockers and resolve issues before they escalate.
• Bring structure and momentum to each phase of the project lifecycle — from kickoff through commissioning.
Work Cross-Functionally to Get Things Done
• Coordinate across engineering, service, sales, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Influence outcomes through credibility, clarity, and consistency — not just authority.
• Adapt communication style based on audience — plant operators, software engineers, executives.
Manage the Narrative
• Own customer communications around project progress, changes, and timelines.
• Anticipate concerns, manage expectations, and build trust by delivering what we say we will — on time and on spec.
• Document key decisions, surface tradeoffs, and ensure alignment at each stage.
Optimize Schedule Across Customer Projects
• Align production and resource planning with forecasted customer targets and project needs.
• Coordinate with engineering and service teams to ensure delivery timelines are achievable, with proactive adjustments as demand shifts.
• Use available data to recommend scheduling strategies that balance efficiency, quality, and delivery timelines.
Qualifications
• Experience — 4 years in project coordination, customer-facing implementation, or operations. We're flexible on tenure for the right mindset.
• Business Acumen — Comfort working with budgets, timelines, and tradeoffs. You understand the business impact of decisions.
• Communication — Strong relationship-building and communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Tools — Familiarity with project management tools, Gantt charts, and milestone tracking.
• Education — Bachelor's degree preferred. PMP, CAPM, or CSM certification is a bonus.
• Domain — Experience in automation, manufacturing systems, or industrial software is a plus.
Who Fits This Role
WEM is in the midst of an exciting transformation — modernizing how we serve our customers while preserving the trust we've earned over seven decades. As Project Manager, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring that our systems are delivered with the same integrity, clarity, and excellence that define our brand.
The right candidate is naturally organized and detail-oriented, calm under pressure, curious and collaborative, and comfortable saying what needs to be said — even when it's hard. If you're ready to step into a role where your structure, presence, and people sense can truly make a difference — let's talk.