Project Manager

Prolec Energy; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Prolec Energy in Waukesha, WI seeks a Project Manager to oversee complex transformer manufacturing projects. You will interface with customers, drive cross-functional collaboration, and manage risks and change orders to ensure on-time, within-budget delivery.

The role emphasizes strong communication, problem solving, and stakeholder management in a fast-moving manufacturing environment. This is a full-time on-site position based at our Waukesha facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related field.
• Experience in a project management role within an engineered-product or manufacturing environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary customer liaison, providing clear updates and managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead customer meetings with confidence and a solution-oriented mindset.
• Build trust and credibility through transparent communication and follow-through.
• Represent the company positively during customer visits, inspections, testing, and plant tours.
• Identify project risks, constraints, and issues early and collaborate cross-functionally to resolve them.
• Navigate competing priorities between customers, engineering, operations, and suppliers.
• Address customer concerns and contractual challenges calmly, factually, and constructively.
• Proactively manage change orders to mitigate financial and schedule risk.
• Manage multiple transformer projects simultaneously with unique technical and contractual requirements.
• Coordinate schedules, deliverables, and milestones across engineering, operations, logistics, suppliers, and service teams.
• Balance urgent issues with long-term planning while maintaining attention to detail.
• Execute projects in alignment with established project management processes and KPIs.
• Lead project kickoff meetings, internal alignment discussions, and closeout activities.
• Provide regular project status updates to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Analyze and report project performance, schedule status, and financial health using SAP and Qlik tools.

Skills

Project management

Customer-facing communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor’s degree (engineering/operations/business)

Tools

SAP

Qlik

Job description

We are seeking a customer-focused Project Manager to support complex transformer manufacturing projects within our Waukesha, WI facility. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of people, processes, and problem-solving, and who enjoys managing multiple priorities while maintaining strong customer relationships. The Project Manager serves as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle and plays a critical role in ensuring clear communication, effective issue resolution, and consistent delivery against commitments. Success in this role depends as much on interpersonal and organizational skills as it does on project management discipline.

What You’ll Do

Customer Interface & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary customer liaison, providing clear, timely updates and managing expectations throughout the project lifecycle
• Lead customer meetings with confidence, professionalism, and a solution-oriented mindset
• Build trust and credibility through transparent communication and strong follow-through
• Represent the company positively during customer visits, inspections, testing, and plant tours

Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution

• Identify project risks, constraints, and issues early and collaborate cross-functionally to resolve them
• Navigate competing priorities and differing perspectives between customers, engineering, operations, and suppliers
• Address customer concerns and contractual challenges calmly, factually, and constructively
• Proactively manage change orders to mitigate financial and schedule risk

Multitasking & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Manage multiple transformer projects simultaneously, each with unique technical and contractual requirements
• Coordinate schedules, deliverables, and milestones across engineering, operations, logistics, suppliers, and service teams
• Balance urgent issues with long-term planning while maintaining attention to detail

Project Execution & Communication

• Execute projects in alignment with established project management processes and KPIs
• Lead project kickoff meetings, internal alignment discussions, and closeout activities
• Provide regular project status updates to customers and internal stakeholders
• Analyze and report project performance, schedule status, and financial health using SAP and Qlik tools

Successful Candidates Will Have

• Strong customer-facing communication skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems in fast-moving, ambiguous environments
• Proven success managing multiple projects and priorities at the same time
• Confidence in resolving conflict while maintaining positive working relationships
• Ability to influence without authority and align diverse stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related field
• Experience in a project management role within an engineered-product or manufacturing environment
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels
• Comfort handling confidential information and navigating changing priorities

Why Join Us?

Culture:

• We take pride in a culture rooted in strong values, meaningful behaviors, and a deep sense of purpose. Our commitment to our people, community, and the environment shapes who we are and how we work. At Prolec, you’ll feel supported, included, and connected.

Leadership:

• Our leadership philosophy centers on inclusivity, growth, and transparency. We invest in our people through comprehensive training, ongoing professional development, continuous coaching, and clear performance expectations - empowering everyone to achieve their highest potential.
• We create an environment where employees can excel. From modern facilities and collaborative spaces to innovative technology and engaging company events, we provide the tools and atmosphere that enable high-quality work and seamless teamwork.
• We recognize that well-being extends beyond the workplace. That’s why we support our employees and their families through programs that promote personal, financial, physical, and family wellness. Our holistic approach ensures you can thrive both professionally and personally.

Prolec is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law.