Technical Project Manager

PowerCo; St. Thomas; On-site; CAD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Pension plan

Employee assistance program

Generous vacation

Development opportunities

Job summary

PowerCo Canada Inc. in St. Thomas, ON is seeking a seasoned Project Manager to lead factory ramp-up projects, align design specs with timelines, and drive operational goals.

You will coordinate engineering, procurement, construction, and cross-functional teams, manage budgets, schedules, risks, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Occasional travel within Ontario and internationally may be required; in return you get pension, EAP, relocation support, and generous vacation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management or related fields.
• 5+ years of professional experience in technical project management in production or industrial settings.
• Experience managing factory ramp-ups, construction projects and process design.
• Strong understanding of project management tools, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Manage factory ramp-up projects, ensuring alignment with design specifications, construction timelines and operational goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams in construction, equipment installation, and process design activities.
• Manage engineering, procurement and construction workstreams and their technical aspects.
• Develop timelines, allocate resources and manage budgets to complete projects on schedule and within scope.
• Ensure adherence to safety standards, quality guidelines and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation including reports and schedules.
• Drive risk identification and mitigation strategies for delays or technical challenges.
• Monitor progress and provide real-time updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external contractors to resolve technical issues.
• Facilitate regular reviews and implement corrective actions to improve delivery.
• Track KPIs related to technical performance, timelines and quality.
• Align project deliverables with organizational objectives and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve project management processes and standardize methodologies.
• Engage in ongoing learning to stay updated on PM practices and industry trends.

Skills

Technical project management

Cross-functional leadership

Scheduling & resource allocation

Budget management

Safety & compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related fields

Job description

Who We Are

We are proud to announce the launch of Volkswagen Group’s largest cell factory, PowerCo, in St. Thomas. This is more than just a job – it’s a unique opportunity to shape the future of sustainable energy. Join us as we ramp up operations and help build a world‑class company.

At PowerCo, we believe in fostering an environment where ambition meets collaboration, and where flexibility and creativity thrive. You'll be part of a diverse, talented team that is shaping the future of battery production. You’ll have the chance to advance your career while working alongside passionate colleagues who share a vision of making a lasting impact on the world.

Are you ready to be part of something exciting? Power up your career with us!

This position is in-person and located in the charming town of St. Thomas ON.

Your Role And Key Responsibilities

• Manage factory ramp-up projects, ensuring alignment with design specifications, construction timelines, and operational goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the execution of construction, equipment installation, and process design activities.
• Manage technical aspects of project workstreams, including engineering, procurement, and construction.
• Develop project timelines, resource allocation, and budget management to ensure project completion on schedule and within scope.
• Ensure adherence to industry standards, safety regulations, and company quality guidelines throughout all project phases.
• Develop and maintain detailed project documentation, including technical reports, schedules, and risk assessments.
• Drive risk identification and mitigation strategies to address potential project delays or technical challenges.
• Monitor progress of construction and installation activities, providing real-time updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external contractors to resolve technical issues and ensure smooth project execution.
• Facilitate regular project reviews, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as necessary.
• Track and report project KPIs related to technical performance, timeline adherence, and quality metrics.
• Ensure alignment between technical project deliverables and organizational objectives, maintaining a focus on operational efficiency and innovation.
• Identify opportunities to enhance project management processes and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within the team.
• Contribute to the implementation of best practices and standardized methodologies across project teams, promoting consistency and quality in project delivery.
• Engage in continuous learning and development to stay updated on project management practices and industry trends, enhancing skills and knowledge in project management.
• Provide regular project updates to the Head of Project Management and/or CEO, communicating project status, milestones, risks, and issues effectively.
• Perform additional duties as assigned or relevant to the position, contributing to the overall success of the Project Management team and organization.
• Analize feasibility of multiple scenarios, design impact, process equipment, facilities, production, maintenance.
• Act as the central point of contact for cross-functional coordination for the respective factory areas, interfacing with technical organization.

What You Bring To The Team

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management or related fields.
• 5+ year’s professional experience in technical project management, specifically within production line or industrial factories set-up.
• Demonstrated experience in managing factory ramp-ups, construction projects, and process design within a technical or manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of project management tools & methodologies with a focus on technical workstreams, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Extensive experience in overseeing cross-functional teams, including engineering, construction, operations, and external contractors.
• Experience in budget management, cost control, and resource planning for large-scale industrial projects.
• Solid knowledge of industrial safety standards, quality management systems, and regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to address technical challenges and provide innovative solutions.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, capable of engaging with senior stakeholders and managing complex technical discussions.
• Ability to operate cross-functionally (vertically and horizontally) in a high-demand, rapidly shifting environment and ability to multi-task, determine and shift priorities.
• Extremely collaborative, organized, detail-oriented, with an ability to juggle multiple issues and activities simultaneously in a highly professional manner.
• Proven ability to identify and mitigate risks, ensuring smooth project execution and timely delivery of technical milestones.
• Ability to work in an intercultural environment including empathy and interpersonal understandings.
• Occasional travel within Ontario, as well as internationally (10 to 20%).
• Ability to maintain flexible work hours to account for time zone differences with Europe, when necessary.
• Overtime may be required to meet ramp-up deadlines.
• Analytical skills to address operational disruptions, bottlenecks, and unforeseen challenge.

What Makes You Stand Out

• International mindset and strong interest in global work and diverse teams.
• Entrepreneurial drive to help establish a company from the ground up.
• Experience in automotive and/or e-mobility industry (challenges & opportunities) is considered an asset.
• German language skills are considered an asset.

What To Look Forward To

• Attractive Remuneration: The expected competitive compensation range for this position is $88,390 - $110,490 CAD, which includes base pay and target amount of short term incentive plan.
• In addition we offer competitive benefits: our program is flexible to allow you to make the selections and get the coverage you need
• Pension and Retirement Savings: We contribute to a Registered Pension Plan and matching contribution to a retirement savings plan.
• Employee Assistance Plan: We offer an Employee Assistance Plan which can support you in mental health, physical wellness and overall wellbeing.
• Vacation Allowance: We offer our employees competitive paid time off. Plus, you don’t need to take any vacation days from December 24 to December 31.
• Opportunities for development.
• Relocation Support.
• Opportunities to participate in exciting company events that give back to the community.

We are committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Our compensation is determined based on a combination of factors including but not limited too relevant years of experience, education, and alignment with the responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job description.

This posting is for currently vacant roles.

We believe that the best results are created in a diverse and inclusive environment. Therefore, all qualified applications will be considered for employment regardless of age, race, religion, gender (identity), sexual orientation, national origin or disability.

PowerCo Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities including during the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to determine what reasonable accommodation may be available to meet your needs whether it be as an applicant or an employee. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate and reasonable accommodation.