📍 Zeeland, Michigan | Full-Time
The Role
The Project Manager is responsible for leading custom automation projects from quotation handoff through final customer acceptance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within scope, and in accordance with customer expectations. Reporting to the General Sales Manager, this position serves as the primary liaison between Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Machine Build, Vendors, and Customers throughout the project lifecycle.
The Project Manager coordinates project planning, schedules, resources, procurement activities, customer communications, and project documentation while proactively identifying and resolving issues that could impact cost, quality, or delivery. This role requires exceptional organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to successfully manage multiple custom automation projects in a fast-paced Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead multiple custom automation projects from quotation handoff through customer acceptance.
- Develop, maintain, and communicate project schedules, milestones, and deliverables.
- Conduct project kickoff meetings and coordinate project planning activities across all departments.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout project execution.
- Coordinate activities between Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, Machine Build, Purchasing, Vendors, and Customers to ensure successful project execution.
- Monitor project progress and proactively address schedule, scope, resource, or technical issues.
- Coordinate procurement activities by obtaining vendor quotations, tracking purchased components, and supporting delivery schedules.
- Review customer specifications, Requests for Quotation (RFQs), contracts, and project requirements to ensure all deliverables are understood and communicated.
- Coordinate Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), machine installation, startup, and final customer acceptance activities.
- Manage project documentation including schedules, meeting minutes, action items, change requests, and project status reports.
- Communicate project status, risks, resource requirements, and customer concerns to leadership and project stakeholders.
- Support Sales during proposal development, project transitions, customer meetings, and scope reviews.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal departments.
- Promote continuous improvement initiatives that improve project execution, scheduling, communication, and customer satisfaction.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business, Project Management, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
- Five to eight years of experience managing projects within custom automation, machine building, systems integration, manufacturing, or a related industrial environment.
- Experience working within an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing environment preferred.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and managing multiple concurrent projects.
- Working knowledge of SolidWorks and the ability to interpret engineering drawings, assemblies, and technical documentation preferred.
- Experience coordinating Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and project scheduling software.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, procurement, vendor management, and project documentation.
- Valid driver’s license required.
Skills & Qualifications
- Strong project leadership and organizational skills.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
- Strong customer relationship management skills.
- Excellent planning, scheduling, and time-management abilities.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and project documentation.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, and Leadership.
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Professional, customer-focused approach with the ability to build long-term business relationships.
Why Work With Us?
- Be part of a team delivering custom, high-impact automation systems
- Work cross-functionally with engineering, assembly, and operations teams
- Gain exposure to full project lifecycle execution
- Build a long-term career within a stable and growing automation company
If you are organized, detail-oriented, and motivated to support complex automation projects, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume for consideration.
Why Work With Us?
- Build technically diverse, custom automation systems
- Contribute meaningfully to system performance and customer satisfaction
- Work alongside experienced engineers and senior tradesmen
- Tuition reimbursement and continued trade development opportunities
- Long-term career growth within a stable and growing automation company
Send in your resume for consideration. We want to meet you. Because we are interested in those who have what it takes and can add to our great team, we carefully screen each resume. Phone calls will not be considered. Thanks!
Please email your resume and salary requirements for consideration to hr@hil-manautomation.com.
