Project Manager

Genuine Search Group; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement plan with company conrib…?

Job summary

Genuine Search Group is seeking a detail-oriented Project Manager in Greater Grand Rapids, MI to oversee custom automation projects from sales handoff through installation and startup.

The ideal candidate will coordinate engineering, manufacturing, and programming teams in a fast-paced environment, ensuring projects stay on schedule, within scope, and meet customer expectations. Excellent communication and organization are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or equivalent experience.
• 1+ years of project management experience in manufacturing or automation.
• Strong understanding of engineering, manufacturing, and machine build processes.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for customer meetings and installations.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from initiation through installation and startup.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, and programming.
• Develop and maintain project schedules and milestones.
• Communicate status updates to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Manage ECOs, design reviews, and customer acceptance.
• Travel to customer sites as needed.

Skills

Project management

Manufacturing processes

Communication

Leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or equivalent experience

Tools

Project scheduling software

Job description

Location: Greater Grand Rapids, MI

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Us

Growing custom automation company serving manufacturers across a variety of industries. Our team designs and builds custom automated equipment and systems that help customers improve productivity, quality, and efficiency. We are seeking an organized, customer-focused Project Manager to oversee projects from sales handoff through installation and startup.

Position Summary

The Project Manager is responsible for leading custom automation projects through their entire lifecycle. This role serves as the primary point of contact for customers and internal teams, ensuring projects are completed on schedule, within scope, and aligned with customer expectations.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoys coordinating cross-functional teams, and has strong communication and organizational skills.

Key Responsibilities

Project Initiation & Planning

• Receive and review project releases from the Sales team.
• Lead customer kickoff meetings and establish project expectations.
• Develop and maintain project schedules and timelines.
• Coordinate project resources and milestones throughout the project lifecycle.
• Manage mechanical and controls design activities.
• Coordinate internal and customer design review meetings.
• Facilitate design approvals and customer acceptance.
• Manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) when required.
• Oversee creation and delivery of spare parts lists and equipment manuals.

Manufacturing & Build Management

• Release projects to machining and fabrication teams.
• Collaborate with the Manufacturing Operations Manager to ensure work is scheduled according to project timelines.
• Monitor project progress and address scheduling challenges proactively.
• Coordinate the transition from fabrication to assembly/build phases.
• Work with Build and Manufacturing Managers to ensure all required components are available for assembly.
• Track customer-supplied components and ensure timely delivery.

Programming & Testing

• Coordinate project transition into the programming phase.
• Ensure programmers understand machine functionality, process requirements, and customer expectations.
• Support collaboration between engineering, programming, and build teams during machine testing and run-off activities.

Customer Communication & Project Execution

• Provide regular project status updates to customers.
• Coordinate machine run-offs, installations, startup support, and project milestones.
• Serve as the primary customer contact throughout project execution.
• Facilitate successful project completion and customer acceptance.

Installation & Startup Support

• Coordinate installation schedules and startup activities.
• Travel to customer sites as needed to oversee installation and machine startup.
• Support customers during equipment launch and training activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or a relevant experience.
• 1+ years of project management experience in manufacturing, automation, machinery, capital equipment, or a related industry.
• Strong understanding of engineering, manufacturing, and machine build processes.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with project scheduling and project management tools.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for customer meetings, installations, and startup support.

Preferred Experience

• Custom automation or special machine building industry experience.
• Experience managing cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Familiarity with mechanical design, controls systems, and machine integration projects.

What We Offer

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement plan with company contribution
• Collaborative and innovative work environment