Project Manager

jbtm; Chalfont (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

JBT Marel, within the Formova Division, seeks an experienced Project Manager to lead automated guided vehicle (AGV) system projects from design through implementation across North America and internationally.

You will coordinate between customers, sales, engineering, manufacturing, automation, and installation teams to ensure successful project execution from contract award through commissioning and final acceptance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (engineering or technical discipline preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience with success delivering complex technical projects.
• Experience managing external customer projects in OEM, systems integration, automation, robotics, or industrial equipment environments.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders across engineering, manufacturing, and field operations.
• Strong customer-facing communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing contractors and installation activities in industrial environments.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and report project budgets and forecasts.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead AGV projects from kickoff through customer acceptance, managing scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk throughout the project lifecycle.
• Serve as the primary customer contact, ensuring alignment on project specifications, objectives, deliverables, and performance expectations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Field Service.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, financial forecasts, status reports, and performance metrics.
• Monitor project performance, proactively managing risks, issues, and corrective actions to achieve project objectives.
• Manage project change requests and ensure appropriate documentation, approvals, and customer communication.
• Coordinate installation, commissioning, and startup activities, including management of third-party contractors and subcontractors.
• Ensure compliance with project governance requirements, quality standards, and documentation processes.
• Provide regular project status updates to customers and internal leadership teams.
• Partner with Finance and Operations to support forecasting, resource planning, and portfolio visibility.
• Support continuous improvement of project management tools, templates, and best practices.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Customer communication

Budgeting & forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline

Job description

At JBT Marel, what we do matters , we know that the contribution of our employees leads to the success of our business.

Our purpose is to transform the future of food; this guides our vision of being the global leader in food and beverage technology, by harnessing the full power of JBT Marel to partner with our customers and pioneer sustainable innovation.

Our values show who we are at our best. As we Create with Collaboration, Serve with Integrity, Grow with Excellence, and Advance with Innovation.

As a Project Manager within the Formova Division of JBT Marel, you will lead Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) system projects from design through implementation at customer facilities across North America and internationally. You will serve as the primary leader responsible for delivering complex automation solutions that improve safety, productivity, and operational efficiency for our customers.

In this role, you will act as the central point of coordination between customers, sales, engineering, manufacturing, automation, and installation teams to ensure successful project execution from contract award through commissioning and final acceptance.

Project Leadership

As a Project Manager, you will lead customer-facing automation projects ranging from individual vehicle deployments to large-scale AGV systems serving manufacturing, food and beverage, healthcare, automotive, and consumer products facilities.

Project types may include:

• New AGV system implementations
• Fleet expansions and system upgrades
• Proof-of-concept projects and new product initiatives

You will own project execution from contract award through customer acceptance, balancing technical requirements, commercial objectives, schedule commitments, and customer expectations to deliver successful automation solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead AGV projects from kickoff through customer acceptance, managing scope, schedule, budget, resources, and risk throughout the project lifecycle
• Serve as the primary customer contact, ensuring alignment on project specifications, objectives, deliverables, and performance expectations
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Field Service
• Develop and maintain project schedules, financial forecasts, status reports, and performance metrics
• Monitor project performance, proactively managing risks, issues, and corrective actions to achieve project objectives
• Manage project change requests and ensure appropriate documentation, approvals, and customer communication
• Coordinate installation, commissioning, and startup activities, including management of third-party contractors and subcontractors
• Ensure compliance with project governance requirements, quality standards, and documentation processes
• Provide regular project status updates to customers and internal leadership teams
• Partner with Finance and Operations to support forecasting, resource planning, and portfolio visibility
• Support continuous improvement of project management tools, templates, and best practices

Required

• Bachelor's degree (engineering or technical discipline preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of project management experience plus demonstrated success delivering complex technical projects with accountability for financial performance, schedules, and customer outcomes
• Experience managing external customer projects in an OEM, systems integration, automation, robotics, material handling, or industrial equipment environment
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating multiple stakeholders across engineering, manufacturing, and field operations
• Strong customer-facing communication and relationship management skills
• Experience managing contractors and installation activities in industrial environments
• Ability to develop, maintain, and report project financial budgets and forecasts
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred

• MBA or PMP certification or equivalent project management certification
• Experience delivering AGV, AMR, robotics, warehouse automation, or material handling solutions in customer-facing environments
• Familiarity with system integration, controls, commissioning, and startup activities
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously

Qualifications for Success

We are looking for a leader who can successfully balance customer expectations, technical requirements, project economics, and execution priorities. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment and can effectively manage complex automation projects from concept through deployment.

You should be someone who:

• Communicates clearly and effectively with customers, project teams, and leadership
• Takes ownership and drives projects to successful completion
• Anticipates risks and proactively solves problems
• Builds strong relationships internally and externally
• Thrives in a collaborative, cross-functional environment
• Demonstrates strong b