Production Project Manager

Chemring Group; Downers Grove, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

401(k) with match

Life insurance

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Employer discounts

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) in Downers Grove, IL, seeks a Project Manager to drive scheduling, budgeting, and cross‑functional coordination on government contracting programs. The role requires strong communication, schedule management, and PMP‑style discipline.

The position offers a competitive salary range of $84,000 to $108,500 annually, with bonus potential, comprehensive benefits, and a 9/80 work schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or business or equivalent.
• PMP certification or ability to gain certification within one year of placement.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience in government contracting (Aerospace/Defense preferred).

Responsibilities

• Create project schedules for each production job and coordinate between departments.
• Maintain revenue and delivery forecast in company systems.
• Facilitate weekly IPT meetings to track tasks, remove blockers, and manage dependencies.
• Report monthly EAC updates; manage budgets and forecasts with Finance.
• Monitor production progress; identify delays and risks; recommend mitigations.
• Provide project status updates to stakeholders and maintain dashboards.
• Review BOMs, routes, and cycle‑time before ERP release.
• Participate in daily stand‑ups, D365 sessions and readiness meetings.
• Identify and support continuous improvement opportunities.

Skills

PMP certification

MS Project

MS Office

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

Budget management

Schedule management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or business

PMP certification within 1 year

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365)

Job description

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space, our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission‑critical innovation.

CED is well situated in Downers Grove, Illinois - we are located a commuter train ride west of Chicago and a short drive from farmland.

CED's current salary range for this role is $84,000 - $108,500 annually. At CED, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions may vary based upon, but not limited to education, skills, experience, proficiency, performance, shift, location and geography. In addition to base salary, the total compensation package may also include participation in a bonus, commission or incentive program. CED’s benefit offerings include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, life insurance and other voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, plus parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance and employer/partner discounts. CED follows a 9/80 work schedule allowing employees to enjoy alternating Fridays off.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Creates project schedules for each production job assigned and is responsible for the communication between departments to facilitate the plan
• Maintains an accurate revenue and delivery forecast in company systems
• Facilitate weekly Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings to track tasks, remove blockers, and manage dependencies; maintain and execute action item management
• Report monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) updates for assigned projects; manage budgets and forecasts and track actuals vs. plan (labor/material) in coordination with Finance
• Monitor production progress against schedule; identify delays, bottlenecks, and risks, and recommend recovery or mitigation actions
• Provide project status updates to appropriate stakeholder audience at the directed cadence; update and monitor dashboards for correctness
• Review BOMs, routes, and cycle‑time assumptions and confirm readiness before releasing to Planning for ERP execution
• Participate in daily stand‑ups, weekly D365 working sessions, and production readiness meetings
• Identify and support continuous improvement opportunities related to responsible projects

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Comply with government and corporate laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Ensures 100% compliance with the Chemring Operational Framework, Code of Conduct and U.S. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
• Other duties / responsibilities as assigned by leadership

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• N/A

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor degree in engineering or business, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or ability to gain certification within one year of placement

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 2 years experience in Project Management within a government contracting environment (Aerospace/Defense preferred)

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be eligible to possess explosive under the Safe Explosives Act of 2003 (as amended) as required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices
• Proficient in the application of project management principles (PMP certification preferred)
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Project (MCP Certification a plus)
• Solid ability to influence others to deliver on accountabilities cross-functionally
• Proficient with MS Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Project, etc.)
• Excellent problem-solving skills, sound judgment, initiative and creativity
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, influencing, team leadership, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities; assertive and effective approach to conflict elimination
• Work ethics of high integrity throughout all areas of internal and external business activity

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Lifting carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 25 pounds occasionally, and / or a negligible amount of weight frequently. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Routine use of a computer and extended periods of sitting at a desk.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential job functions of this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications require of employees assigned to this job. Employees will be expected to perform other job functions and duties as may be needed and / or required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

CED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.