Project Manager, Steel Towers (m/f/d)

Nordex Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical Insurance

HSA

FSA

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Matching

Student Debt Repayment

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Nordex Group in the United States seeks an experienced Project Manager – Steel Towers to lead the ramp‑up of steel tower manufacturing across North America, from initial qualification to full production in multiple factories.

You will coordinate suppliers and internal teams, drive a detailed ramp‑up roadmap, manage risks, and ensure on‑time, on‑cost delivery while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or similar).
• PMP or equivalent certification is a plus.
• 7–10 years of experience in Project Management, Operations, Supply Chain, or Industrialization.
• Experience managing industrial ramp‑ups, capacity expansion, or new supplier implementation.
• Experience in wind industry, steel structures, or heavy manufacturing preferred.
• Experience managing cross‑functional teams and supplier networks.
• Track record delivering complex projects under tight timelines.
• Strong understanding of industrial ramp‑up and scaling manufacturing operations.
• Solid knowledge of steel fabrication and heavy manufacturing processes.
• Strong project management skills, planning, execution, risk management, stakeholder alignment.
• Ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder environments under high pressure.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally; valid driver's license.
• Ability to meet OSHA and ANSI weight limits of 265 lbs. or less.
• Pass pre‑employment physical administered by a medical examiner.

Responsibilities

• Lead ramp‑up plan for steel tower supply in North America from qualification to full capacity.
• Coordinate all operational activities across suppliers, internal teams, and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a ramp‑up roadmap with capacity, resources, tooling, and milestones.
• Ensure supplier readiness in manufacturing capability, workforce, equipment, and processes.
• Monitor production progress and resolve bottlenecks affecting throughput, quality, or delivery.
• Identify and mitigate risks impacting ramp‑up (capacity constraints, material availability, quality).
• Drive alignment between demand planning and supplier execution capabilities.
• Track KPIs (production output, on‑time delivery, capacity ramp, lead times).
• Coordinate with Supplier Quality to ensure stable and scalable processes.
• Lead escalation management with suppliers when performance deviates from plan.
• Support contract execution and ensure operational commitments are met.
• Implement continuous improvement actions to optimize efficiency during ramp‑up.
• Ensure visibility and communication to senior management on status and mitigation actions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder alignment

Supply chain coordination

Industrial ramp-up

Wind industry knowledge

Heavy manufacturing

Communication skills

Leadership abilities

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

PMP certification

Job description

Do you want to be part of an agile team where colleagueship truly matters?

As a global company, we interact with a variety of people and cultures. Integrity, Respect, Colleagueship and Ownership are the unifying force for all departments and regions around the world. It’s the individual that defines the team. And it’s the team that makes the difference. Join the #TEAMNORDEX and shape the future of energy with us.

Position Summary

The role of Project Manager – Steel Towers directly supports the company’s mission to develop and deliver clean power plants that make 100% renewable energy a reality for the world. As the Project Manager – Steel Towers you are responsible for leading the successful industrial and operational scale‑up of steel tower manufacturing capacity in North America, from initial setup to full production volume in more than 4 different tower factories.

This role ensures alignment across suppliers, sourcing, planning, quality, logistics, and project execution teams, securing on‑time, on‑quality, and on‑cost delivery during the ramp‑up phase. The position focuses strongly on operational execution, risk mitigation, and cross‑functional coordination.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the overall ramp‑up plan for steel tower supply in North America, from initial qualification to full production capacity
• Coordinate all operational activities across suppliers, internal teams (Sourcing, Quality, Engineering, Logistics), and project stakeholders
• Develop and maintain a detailed ramp‑up roadmap, including capacity, resources, tooling, and production milestones
• Ensure supplier readiness in terms of manufacturing capability, workforce, equipment, and industrial processes
• Monitor production progress and resolve bottlenecks affecting throughput, quality, or delivery
• Identify and mitigate risks impacting ramp‑up (capacity constraints, material availability, quality issues, logistics limitations)
• Drive alignment between demand planning and supplier execution capabilities
• Track and report key KPIs (production output, on‑time delivery, capacity ramp, manufacturing lead times, critical issues)
• Coordinate closely with Supplier Quality (SQA) to ensure stable and scalable processes
• Lead escalation management with suppliers when performance deviates from plan
• Support contract execution and ensure operational commitments are met by suppliers
• Implement continuous improvement actions to optimize efficiency during ramp‑up
• Ensure full visibility and communication to senior management on ramp‑up status, risks, and mitigation actions
• Other duties as assigned

What You Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or similar)
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent) is a plus
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in Project Management, Operations, Supply Chain, or Industrialization
• Proven experience managing industrial ramp‑ups, capacity expansion, or new supplier implementation
• Experience in wind industry, steel structures, or heavy manufacturing strongly preferred
• Experience managing cross‑functional teams and supplier networks
• Track record of delivering complex projects under tight timelines
• Strong understanding of industrial ramp‑up and scaling manufacturing operations
• Solid knowledge of steel fabrication and heavy manufacturing processes (welding, rolling, coating)
• Strong project management skills (planning, execution, risk management, stakeholder alignment)
• Ability to manage complex, multi‑stakeholder environments under high pressure
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to manage operational crises
• Experience working with suppliers and external manufacturing partners
• High level of ownership, accountability, and results orientation
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Ability to structure ambiguity and drive execution in fast‑growth environments
• Ability to travel domestic and international locations to project sites and on business as required with the ability to obtain a passport
• Driving is an essential function of the job. Must possess a full valid driver’s license and be insurable under our auto insurance policy. This position will be subject to periodic driver’s abstract checks to confirm continued insurability
• Ability to meet specific OSHA and ANSI weight limits of 265 lbs. or less
• Must be able to pass a pre‑employment physical administered by a medical examiner to ensure the ability to safely perform job functions and meet the physical demands of the position

Nordex Places The Highest Priority On The Safe Operations Of Its Business. As Such, We Are Seeking a Candidate Who Is Committed To Maintaining And Promoting Safety Standards At All Times. The Ideal Candidate Must

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to safety protocols and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and company policies.
• Proactively identify and mitigate potential safety hazards.
• Properly use applicable safety equipment, including but not limited to eye protection, hearing protectors, steel‑toe boots, and hard hats. Loose‑fitting clothes and jewelry are not permitted.
• Communicate effectively with team members and management to ensure a safe working environment.
• Speak and understand English fluently to effectively communicate safety and job‑related information, follow safety instructions, and collaborate with English‑speaking supervisors and team members.

The pay for this role is exempt at $130k - $150k USD salary with up to a 15% bonus. Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job‑related factors.

We believe our employees are our greatest assets at Nordex. In addition to the opportunity to make our world a little more sustainable we offer you a total rewards program* designed to recognize and reward the dedication, hard work, and commitment of our team members. We are proud to offer a comprehensive package that aligns with our core values of Respect, Integrity, Colleagueship, and Ownership.

Financial Benefits

• Paid Time Off – Three (3) weeks accrued (120 hours)
• Medical & Pharmacy Insurance with multiple options to best meet your needs
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with Employer Contribution
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short‑Term / Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Student Debt Repayment
• Tuition Reimbursement

Wellbeing, Family Planning, And Voluntary Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Parental Leave
• Calm Subscription
• Gym Membership Reimbursement
• Accident Insurance
• Legal Plans
• Spot Pet Insurance
• Auto and Home Insurance
• And much more…
• Offers may vary by location and eligibility.

Equal Opportunity

Nordex adheres to a policy of equal employment opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Dei

We are committed to creating an environment and culture in which Diversity and Inclusion is recognized as a true opportunity and value for the organization. We welcome you to learn more by visiting this link: Diversity & Inclusion - Nordex SE