Assistant Project Manager

Tappwfs; Illinois; On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Tappwfs in Cicero, Illinois is launching a nine-month, mentored path into project management. From day one you'll own parts of orders, work in our ERP, and be the connective tissue between engineering, quality, purchasing, shipping, and clients.

This hands-on program trains you to break complex projects into manageable tasks using Work Breakdown Structure, with a clear path to promotion and real responsibility, not a generic coordinator role.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of experience in project coordination, inventory control, material handling, or production support in a manufacturing/fabrication environment.
• Hands-on ERP experience (Epicor is a strong plus) and solid Microsoft Office skills.
• Comfort with blueprint reading, cycle counts, and general shipping/receiving processes.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or Management or equivalent shop-floor experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with a proactive, deadline-driven mindset.

Responsibilities

• Own custom manufacturing orders end-to-end from intake through shop floor to delivery.
• Apply Work Breakdown Structure methodology to keep complex jobs on track and on schedule.
• Use ERP system to manage work orders, monitor work in process, and keep materials flowing.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and Shipping to keep production moving and inform clients.
• Serve as a client-facing point of contact for schedule updates and quality requirements.
• Protect margins by catching unquoted work and keeping cost baselines accurate.

Skills

ERP experience

Microsoft Office

Blueprint reading

Cycle counts

Shipping/receiving

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business/Supply Chain/Operations/Management

Tools

Epicor ERP

Job description

20th August, 2026

A hands-on, mentored path into full Project Management — you'll be developed into the role, not just hired for it.

Assistant Project Manager — Manufacturing

This role may also be known as: Project Coordinator, Manufacturing Project Coordinator, Junior Project Manager, Production Project Coordinator

You're organized, you like being in the middle of the action, and you want your next move to actually go somewhere. This isn't a lateral shuffle into another generalist coordinator seat — it's a defined nine-month runway to a full Project Manager title, built around real mentoring, real ownership, and real exposure to how a custom manufacturing operation actually runs.

From day one, you'll be in the middle of everything: tracking custom orders from intake through the shop floor to final delivery, working inside our ERP system, and acting as the connective tissue between engineering, quality, purchasing, shipping, and the client. You'll learn how to break big, messy projects into manageable pieces using real Work Breakdown Structure methodology — not in a classroom, but on live jobs, with people who will actually teach you.

What sets this apart from a typical coordinator role is the clarity of the path forward. There's a specific timeline to promotion, not a vague "maybe someday." You'll get direct exposure to gate reviews, cost protection, client-facing problem solving, and change control — the exact muscles a strong Project Manager needs — with daily stand-ups that keep you plugged into the team's priorities and wins from the very start.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own custom manufacturing orders end-to-end, from intake through shop floor execution to delivery


• Apply Work Breakdown Structure methodology to keep complex jobs on track and on schedule


• Use our ERP system to manage work orders, monitor work in process, and keep materials flowing


• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Purchasing, and Shipping to keep production moving and clients informed


• Serve as a client-facing point of contact for schedule updates, quality requirements, and return material issues


• Protect margins by catching unquoted work and keeping cost baselines accurate

What We're Looking For

• 1 to 3 years of experience in project coordination, inventory control, material handling, or production support in a custom manufacturing or fabrication environment


• Hands-on ERP experience (Epicor experience is a strong plus) and solid Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook)


• Comfort with blueprint reading, cycle counts, and general shipping/receiving processes


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


• Excellent written and verbal communication, sharp attention to detail, and a proactive, deadline-driven mindset

Compensation & Work Model

Compensation is competitive and will be discussed during the screening process. This is an onsite role in an active manufacturing environment, with standard hours of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM or 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Location & Travel

Based in Cicero, Illinois.