What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Manager position at Wurtec?
Position Title: Project Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Type: Full time
Travel: 5%
Reports to: Engineering Manager, Innovation & Applications
Supervises: None
Who We Are:
Wurtec is a global organization that specializes in elevators and the people who use them. We operate on a strong set of Core Values that include being Dedicated, Ambitious, Hardworking, Willing to Accept Responsibility, and Integrity. As the leading tool and components supplier to the vertical transportation industry, we empower professionals in the field to work more safely, quickly, and efficiently. As a manufacturer of residential and commercial elevator systems, we provide passengers with the smoothest, safest ride available. Our products are on the front lines of elevator construction worldwide – and our people are known throughout the industry for talent, dedication, and superior customer service.
Position Summary:
The Project Manager is responsible for the development and continuous improvement of processes and interdepartmental communication within a high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) engineering and manufacturing environment. This role requires an ownership mentality and a continuous improvement mindset suited to managing a diverse, concurrent portfolio of projects with varying scope, timeline, and complexity. The Project Manager executes against established business cases and company objectives, and facilitates and improves interdepartmental communication.
Essential Duties include but are not limited to:
- Track and monitor engineering and cross-functional projects to ensure alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and performance expectations.
- Develop, maintain, and update project schedules, timelines, and key milestones in coordination with internal teams and customers.
- Lead cross-functional team meetings and project status reviews; communicate project status, risks, and updates to stakeholders at all levels.
- Identify, track, and resolve project issues using structured problem-solving methods, and support effective change management processes.
- Coordinate with customers and internal stakeholders regarding project requirements, status, and issue resolution, including participation in meetings as needed.
- Track and monitor project scope, budgets, and costs to ensure alignment with approved business cases and customer requirements.
- Coordinate and support Design Reviews and Stage Gate reviews, ensuring deliverables and timelines are met.
- Manage projects across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines, as well as non-engineering and cross-functional initiatives, applying consistent project management practices.
- Track requisitions and engineer-to-order (ETO) prototype releases, including active follow-up on quotes, purchase orders, and job completion timelines across departments.
- Support resource planning and coordination with appropriate functions to meet project needs.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of project management processes and interdepartmental communication.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Technical Skills:
- Knowledge of APQP and project management techniques, including critical path method (CPM) for schedule development, dependency mapping, and float analysis.
- A solid understanding of financial analysis concepts and budget management.
- Strong Microsoft 365 environment and presentation skills.
- Familiarity with ERP systems.
- Familiarity with project management software
- Experience managing concurrent, diverse project portfolios in a high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) environment, with the ability to rapidly context-switch across projects of varying scope, urgency, and complexity.
Behavioral Skills:
- Excellent organizational leadership and follow-up skills; competent in problem solving, team building, planning, and decision making; demonstrates appropriate urgency and initiative when completing assignments and other responsibilities.
- Focused on exceeding expectations and comfortable with working independently.
- A proactive individual who drives change and seeks opportunities for improvement.
- Takes ownership and delivers as both leader and member in a winning and supportive team environment.
- Ability to successfully function in a matrix style of management, managing a variety of cross-functional team members.
- Comfortable presenting project status, risks, and recommendations directly to senior leadership.
- Experience managing challenging negotiations and achieving the desired outcome.
Experience and Education
- 5-7 years of experience as a Project Manager, preferably in a high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, operations, or other related area.
- PMP certification or equivalent preferred.
- Preferred experience with both Agile (Scrum/Kanban) and Waterfall project management methodologies, including critical path method scheduling and earned value management.
Work Environment:
This role primarily operates indoors in a climate-controlled environment and job holders may be exposed to uneven ground, confined spaces, vibration, oils, fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, or high places. Alternating sitting and standing for long periods of time, crawling, climbing/balancing, kneeling, neck rotation, pushing, reaching, stooping/twisting, climbing, crouching, driving, grasping/gripping, picking/pinching, pulling, reaching, and squatting are required in this position. Job holders will frequently lift up to 25lbs and occasionally lift up to 50lbs. Communicating is often necessary in carrying out job duties, near visual acuity, and the ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech. This role is not eligible to be considered for full-time hybrid or full-time remote work.