Senior Project Manager

International Paper Company; Carol Stream, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

International Paper Company in Carol Stream, IL is seeking a Senior Project Manager to directly manage complex customer projects, serve as the primary contact for key decision-makers, and partner with Sales to develop solutions and ensure on-time order execution.

You will prepare order specifications, material plans, BOMs, and pricing considerations, coordinating production, inventory, and shipping while driving process improvements in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

Qualifications

• Six+ years' work experience in customer service, business-to-business inside sales, order management, purchasing, or manufacturing planning.
• Strong corrugated and printing industry knowledge; understands equipment capabilities and how orders flow through the facility.

Responsibilities

• Directly manages complex customer projects and serves as a primary point of contact for customer decision-makers to develop solutions and support account management with Sales.
• Creates order specifications, material plans, bills of materials, sales orders, invoices, and maintains accurate project documentation.
• Coordinates customer production requirements, inventory management, inbound product flow, shipping, and order execution timelines; leads pre-production meetings and secures necessary approvals.
• Collaborates with vendors, suppliers, and contractors to secure materials and coordinate production, shipping, receiving, and delivery schedules.
• Partners with Sales, Design, Manufacturing, Logistics, and other stakeholders to define project scope, resolve issues, and recommend order modifications.
• Resolves customer concerns, manages account reconciliations, and performs estimating functions including outsourced materials and freight quotations.
• Negotiates pricing, delivery terms, existing opportunities, and RFQ activities for new business; develops quotations and pricing recommendations.
• Validates sales contracts and purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and proper management.
• Applies advanced project management principles and established systems to execute projects and drive process improvements.
• Exerts a high level of decision-making authority to resolve issues and improve operations.
• Participates in post-project cost analysis and implements improvements.
• Supports First Article Checks and Press Checks to verify product specifications.

Skills

Customer service

Project management

Order management

Communication

Organizational skills

Leadership

Attention to detail

Negotiation

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Associate's or BA/BS preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

SAP

Job description

Position Title:

Senior Project Manager

Pay Rate:

$75,800 - $101,000

PL10 (USCORE)

Multiple factors, including Individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range. Variable pay may provide additional opportunities for financial awards. This job is eligible to participate in IP's annual incentive plan.

Category/Shift

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location:

Carol Stream, IL / Aurora Commitment Center

The Senior Project Manager position independently manages the customer order process for a larger, more complex account base and initiates or responds to inquiries regarding those accounts and their associated products or services.Works with sales to prioritize sales leads and organize projects and design requests.Has discretion to modify or implement alternatives within established processes to meet the needs of customers during the completion of the order.Fully accountable for material planning, inventory tracking, sales order entry, miscellaneous invoicing, and records management.

The Job You Will Perform:

• Directly manages complex customer projects and serves as a primary point of contact for customer decision-makers to develop solutions, resolve issues, and support account management in partnership with Sales.
• Creates order specifications, material plans, bills of materials, sales orders, invoices, and maintains accurate project documentation.
• Coordinates customer production requirements, inventory management, inbound product flow, shipping, and order execution timelines. Leads pre-production meetings and ensures all necessary approvals are obtained.
• Collaborates with vendors, suppliers, and contractors to secure materials and coordinate production, shipping, receiving, and delivery schedules.
• Partners with Sales, Design, Manufacturing, Logistics, and other stakeholders to define project scope, resolve issues, and recommend order modifications.
• Resolves customer concerns and complaints, manages account reconciliations, and performs estimating functions, including outsourced materials and freight quotations.
• Negotiates pricing, delivery terms, existing business opportunities, and RFQ activities for new business. Develops quotations and pricing recommendations using purchasing history, cost analysis, and profitability tools.
• Validates sales contracts and purchase orders, ensuring agreements are accurate and properly managed.
• Applies advanced project management principles and established systems to successfully execute projects and drive process improvements.
• Exercises a high level of decision-making authority to resolve issues and improve operational processes.
• Participates in post-project cost analysis reviews and implements identified improvement opportunities.
• May lead or participate in First Article Checks and Press Checks to verify products meet specifications.
• May provide coordination and guidance to Project Managers and other team members.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment requiring strong collaboration, communication, organization, attention to detail, accuracy, prioritization, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Works independently while effectively influencing and directing cross-functional teams to achieve project goals.
• Operates effectively within established systems, processes, and procedures.

The Skills You Will Bring:

• Associate's or BA/BS preferred; commensurate work experience in customer service, inside sales, project management, or other order management roles.
• Six+ years' work experience in customer service, business-to-business inside sales, order management, purchasing, or manufacturing planning.
• Strong corrugated and printing industry knowledge; well-developed understanding of equipment capabilities and how orders can most effectively flow through the facility. Broad knowledge of company procedures, products, and services.
• This position requires a high level of organizational and communication skills, including exemplary interpersonal savvy, negotiation, innovation, and command skills.
• Must demonstrate the ability to effectively delegate and lead others.
• Accuracy, thoroughness, attention to detail, timeliness/responsive, reliability, patience, listening skills, and creative problem solving are crucial.
• Must possess a disposition that thrives on a deep understanding of the details and ensures their execution.
• Must demonstrate a proven track record of accurate data entry; well-developed skills in Excel, Word and PowerPoint; SAP a plus; uses industry- and customer-specific computer systems.