Senior Development Project Manager

Outform; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Outform Group is seeking an autonomous Senior Development Project Manager to lead end-to-end development of custom permanent display projects initiated by Sales and Account Management. You will own the project lifecycle from concept and requirements gathering through prototyping, material procurement, manufacturing, and final production rollout.

As the key liaison between Sales, Engineering, Purchasing and Plant Operations, you will translate high-level sales concepts into actionable

Qualifications

• 3-5+ years PM in manufacturing for permanent retail displays or similar.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and BOMs.
• Experience managing budgets, timelines, and risk in fast-paced environments.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration between Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development from concept through production rollout.
• Translate sales concepts into manufacturing packages and budgets.
• Manage multiple projects, timelines, and risk mitigation.
• Oversee BOM creation, data entry, and ERP updates.
• Collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Plant Operations.
• Ensure quality standards and on-time delivery.

Skills

Project management

ERP/MRP

BOM interpretation

Manufacturing knowledge

Budgeting

Cross-functional leadership

Engineering drawings

Tools

ERP software

Job description

At Outform Group, our guiding philosophy is Dare To Innovate.

Outform Group specializes in creating tangible consumer engagements that elevate, connect and humanize brand experiences. We unite leading experts in research, strategy, design, innovation and manufacturing, who work together to create unforgettable brand experiences.

Lean, interdisciplinary teams work in close collaboration with clients, helping them to solve their user’s biggest problems. Our user-centric, data-driven approach focuses on creating a seamless experience across different environments.

Position Overview

Outform is seeking an autonomous, strategic, and results-oriented Senior Development Project Manager (Sr DPM) to lead the end-to-end development of custom permanent display projects initiated by our Sales and Account Management teams. In this role, you will own the project lifecycle from initial concept and requirement gathering through prototyping, material procurement, manufacturing, and final production rollout. Serving as the vital liaison between Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Plant Operations, you will translate high-level sales concepts into actionable manufacturing packages while managing budgets, timelines, material sourcing, and quality standards in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning, Specifications & Financial Management
• Requirement Gathering & Specs: Translate sales intake data into comprehensive project specifications, defining material requirements, functional expectations, timelines, and budgets.
• End-to-End Ownership: Simultaneously manage multiple complex display projects, driving project planning, timing, execution, budget control, and risk mitigation from award through production.
• ERP & BOM Management: Perform data entry within the ERP system, finalizing and uploading precise Bills of Materials (BOMs) and manufacturing work orders.
• Cross-Functional Liaison & Technical Translation
• Inter-Departmental Alignment: Act as the primary liaison between Account Management, Purchasing, Engineering, and Plant Operations to maintain seamless project communication.
• Drawing & Production Detailing: Collaborate directly with Engineering on drawing packages, ensuring design intent is clearly interpreted and actionable for factory floor fabricators.
• Executive & Client Communication: Distill complex technical and timeline updates into clear, powerful messaging for internal stakeholders and clients.
• Prototype Development & Manufacturing Supervision
• Prototype to Production: Drive display development from initial 3D prototypes through first-article builds and final mass production runs.
• Plant Floor Oversight: Oversee all aspects of the manufacturing and fabrication process, inspecting work in progress to ensure strict adherence to project specs and quality benchmarks.
• Hands-On Assembly: Interpret engineering drawings to assist with hands-on prototype evaluation and structural testing as required.
• Strategic Sourcing, Procurement & Vendor Management
• Material Purchasing: Order and acquire all required raw materials and sub-components within critical timeframes to support factory schedules.
• Vendor Negotiations: Qualify and negotiate with external suppliers for optimal project costing without compromising quality or lead times.
• Multi-Material Expertise: Oversee fabrication across diverse materials and manufacturing methods, including acrylics, metals, woods, plastics, and integrated technologies.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 3-5+ years of dedicated Project Management experience within a manufacturing environment (specifically producing permanent retail displays, fixtures, or custom fabrications).
• Technical Literacy: Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate engineering drawings, schematics, and BOMs.
• Material & Process Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of manufacturing and fabrication techniques across multiple substrates (acrylic, sheet metal, tubing, wood, laminate, etc.).
• Software & Systems: Hands-on experience entering data, creating work orders, and uploading BOMs in ERP/MRP manufacturing systems.
• Execution Focus: Proven ability to manage budgets, project schedules, and tight deadlines in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strategic, innovative thinker who excels with high autonomy.
• Track record of flawless project execution and proactive problem-solving.
• Personal passion for leveraging new manufacturing and enabling technologies.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to drive cross-functional decision-making.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Project Planning & Budgeting
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership (Sales, Engineering, Manufacturing)
• Value Engineering & Strategic Sourcing
• Multi-Material Fabrication Aptitude (Acrylic, Metal, Wood)
• ERP / BOM Data Management

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Working conditions are split between a normal office setting and an active manufacturing plant floor.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, reach, and use hands to inspect display components and tools.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods in the factory and lift/move materials up to 50 lbs.
• Travel up to 10% may be required for client meetings, vendor reviews, and trade events.