Assistant Project Manager

Focus; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Focus in Chicago is seeking a Project Coordinator for custom manufacturing to oversee orders, schedules, and apply Work Breakdown Structures (WBS). This role features a ~9‑month development pathway to advance to a full Project Manager position.

Qualifications include an Associate's or Bachelor's in Business, Supply Chain, or related field, 1–3 years of project coordination or production support, and proficiency with ERP systems (Epicor preferred), MS Office, and blueprint reading.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or equivalent practical shop-floor experience.
• 1–3 years of experience in project coordination, inventory control, or production support in custom manufacturing.
• Proficiency with ERP systems (Epicor preferred), MS Office, and blueprint reading.

Responsibilities

• Project Planning & Scheduling: Track orders, verify scopes and timelines against quotes, apply WBS, and join daily stand-up meetings.
• Shop Floor & Inventory Control: Use ERP to manage orders/WIP, coordinate material flow, expedite bottlenecks, and assist with cycle counts.
• Quality & Cost Control: Communicate customer specs (PPAPs, tolerances), manage RMAs/reworks, and track unquoted operations to protect margins.
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as client/supplier contact, manage ECNs, and record project lessons learned.

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations or equivalent

Tools

Epicor ERP

MS Office

Blueprint reading

Job description

Supports custom manufacturing projects across the entire lifecycle. There is a ~9-month development pathway to advance to full Project Manager position.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning & Scheduling: Track orders, verify scopes and timelines against quotes, apply Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and join daily stand-up meetings.

• Shop Floor & Inventory Control: Use Epicor ERP to manage orders/WIP, coordinate material flow, expedite bottlenecks, and assist with cycle counts.

• Quality & Cost Control: Communicate customer specs (PPAPs, tolerances), manage RMAs/reworks, and track unquoted operations to protect profit margins.

• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as client/supplier contact, manage Engineering Change Notifications (ECNs), and record project lessons learned.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or equivalent practical shop-floor experience.

• 1–3 years of experience in project coordination, inventory control, or production support in custom manufacturing.

• Proficiency with ERP systems (Epicor preferred), MS Office, and blueprint reading.

Work Environment

• Active manufacturing plant floor requiring standard PPE and safety compliance.

• Standard shift: 8:00 AM–4:30 PM or 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.