Industry: Manufacturer
Location: Bensenville, IL
Salary: $75-120K (DOE)
Visa Sponsor: Yes
Language: English: Business Level, Japanese: Business Level
Detail: Job Purpose
Project managers are responsible for projects from initiation to close, making sure the work gets done efficiently and satisfactorily.
Essential Job Duties
• Plan and Develop the Project Idea
Every project starts as an idea. It’s a project manager’s responsibility to work with internal stakeholders and external clients to define that concept and create a process to bring it to fruition. This includes setting and managing client expectations, developing a detailed project plan, defining the scope of the project, understanding project risks and assigning team members to specific tasks.
• Create and Lead Your Project Team
The Project manager is accountable for every aspect of the project, including leading a team capable of meeting or exceeding client expectations for their vision. The project manager assembles and manages these individuals to make a fine-tuned project machine for projects' success. If the team needs guidance, training or coaching, it’s a project manager’s responsibility to set them up.
In order to build and maintain a dynamic team mentality, a project manager must be able to keep open and honest communication, form working relationships and motivate anyone who needs it.
• Monitor Project Progress and Set Deadlines
Organization and follow-through are a big part of a project manager’s role. From creating an accurate timeline of project completion to ensuring tasks are finished within the confines of the assignment, the project manager must remain aware of how the project is progressing.
The project manager also anticipates delays that may occur on the client side and apprises the team of any changes in the client’s needs.
• Solve Issues That Arise
During every project, issues arise that need to be solved. The project manager is the first person who clients and team members turn to when something goes wrong, so it must be in these professionals’ best interest to anticipate any potential hiccups before they happen.
One issue that project managers need to have a plan for is change or expansion in a project’s deliverables throughout a project as needed.
The project manager should address projects with adaptability and mind of problem solving.
• Manage the Money
Budget management is another primary project manager duty. Make sure that the project gets done without excessive spending.
The Project manager also must be transparent and realistic about the cost so clients are aware from the beginning how much they are likely to spend.
• Ensure Stakeholder Satisfaction
The Project manager has the closest relationship with clients of anyone who works on a project. Because of this, the project manager must keep open lines of communication for updates and feedback. If any issues or changes arise in the timeline of a project, for example, the project manager is in charge of keeping the client up to date.
• Evaluate Project Performance
After a project is finished, the project manager is responsible for evaluating its efficiency and effectiveness. With the data they’ve tracked throughout the process, we can begin to identify shortcomings and plan for ways to fix similar issues in the future.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field
Minimum 5+ years of experience in transportation manufacturing (railway, bus, truck, or automotive)
Experience managing projects related to complete vehicle systems or subsystems (e.g., body components, interiors, passenger information, communication, or signal equipment)
Strong communication and coordination skills across technical and business teams
Proven ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and deadlines
Valid driver’s license; ability to commute to the office several times per month
Preferred Background
Experience working with public transit agencies or vehicle OEMs
Understanding of electrical, mechanical, or communication systems used in transit or mobility products
Bilingual (English/Japanese) communication ability is a plus, but not required
Work Style
Hybrid: Primarily remote, with in-person collaboration several times per month
Travel: Occasional domestic travel to customer sites, production facilities, and trade events
Knowledge/Skill Requirements
• Accountability
• Adaptability
• Budget Management
• Clear Communication
• Creativity
• Decisiveness
• Delegation
• Forecasting
• Leadership
• Management
• Organization
• Problem Solving
• Strategic Thinking
• Stress Management
• Time Management
