Senior Development Project Manager

Outform; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Outform is seeking an autonomous, strategic Senior Development Project Manager to lead end-to-end development of custom permanent display projects. You will own the project lifecycle from concept through prototyping, manufacturing, and final production rollout, coordinating Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Plant Operations to deliver on budgets and timelines.

You will translate sales concepts into actionable manufacturing packages, drive materials sourcing, and ensure quality across

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years managing manufacturing projects, especially displays or custom fabrications.
• Able to read engineering drawings, schematics, and BOMs.
• Knowledge of fabrication methods across acrylic, metal, wood, plastics.
• Experience entering data and creating work orders in ERP/MRP systems.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, schedules, and deadlines in fast-paced settings.

Responsibilities

• Translate sales intake into project specs with material, timeline, and cost estimates.
• Own end-to-end delivery from award through production ramp‑up.
• Coordinate with Sales, Engineering, Purchasing, and Plant Operations.
• Oversee fabrication and ensure quality according to specs.

Skills

End-to-end project mgmt

Engineering drawings

BOM & ERP data

Budget & timeline control

Cross-functional leadership

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

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