Senior Project Manager

KPI Solutions; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KPI Solutions in Kansas City, MO is seeking a Sr. Project Manager to lead warehouse automation and MHE projects from initiation to go-live and closeout.

You will manage 2–4 concurrent client engagements, coordinate design, procurement, robotics integration, installation, commissioning, and transition to operations, while handling budget, schedule, and stakeholder communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• PMP certification or equivalent project-management credentials preferred.
• Experience delivering large-scale, multi-phase projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of 2–4 client projects involving MHE and warehouse automation.
• Manage the full project lifecycle—from initiation to go-live and closeout.
• Oversee FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, and handover to operations.
• Coordinate procurement timelines for automation equipment.
• Provide executive updates and manage stakeholder expectations.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional

Warehouse operations

Client relations

Project management tools

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Job description

Company Description KPI Solutions delivers end-to-end supply chain services and automation to transform clients’ distribution operations. The company analyzes, designs, implements, and supports flexible, scalable engineered solutions that optimize order fulfillment and increase capacity while reducing reliance on labor. Using a data-driven operations strategy and a technology-neutral approach, KPI Solutions blends automated technologies to create customized solutions. Its comprehensive offerings include consulting, network strategy, engineered facility design, material handling systems integration, robotics, intelligent warehouse software, and lifetime services. Team members collaborate with a wide range of industries to develop resilient, future-ready distribution environments.

Role Description The Sr. Project Manager leads the delivery of complex warehouse automation and material handling equipment (MHE) implementation projects from initiation through go-live and closeout. This role owns the full project lifecycle for 2–4 concurrent client engagements — spanning design, procurement, robotics and automation integration, installation, commissioning, and transition to operations — while managing budget, schedule, vendor performance, and stakeholder relationships at every level, including executive sponsors. This is a highly visible role suited to a project leader who is equally comfortable in a technical design review, a vendor negotiation, and an executive steering committee meeting.

Company Description KPI Solutions delivers end-to-end supply chain services and automation to transform clients’ distribution operations. The company analyzes, designs, implements, and supports flexible, scalable engineered solutions that optimize order fulfillment and increase capacity while reducing reliance on labor. Using a data-driven operations strategy and a technology-neutral approach, KPI Solutions blends automated technologies to create customized solutions. Its comprehensive offerings include consulting, network strategy, engineered facility design, material handling systems integration, robotics, intelligent warehouse software, and lifetime services. Team members collaborate with a wide range of industries to develop resilient, future-ready distribution environments.

Role Description The Sr. Project Manager leads the delivery of complex warehouse automation and material handling equipment (MHE) implementation projects from initiation through go-live and closeout. This role owns the full project lifecycle for 2–4 concurrent client engagements — spanning design, procurement, robotics and automation integration, installation, commissioning, and transition to operations — while managing budget, schedule, vendor performance, and stakeholder relationships at every level, including executive sponsors. This is a highly visible role suited to a project leader who is equally comfortable in a technical design review, a vendor negotiation, and an executive steering committee meeting.

Key Responsibilities

Warehouse Automation & MHE Project Delivery

• Lead end-to-end delivery of 2–4 assigned client projects involving material handling equipment (MHE), robotics, and warehouse automation systems (e.g., AS/RS, AMR/AGV, conveyor, sortation, goods-to-person, WCS/WES/WMS software).
• Manage the complete project lifecycle — initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and closure — for Design-Bid-Build and turnkey systems integration projects.
• Oversee robotics and automation integration and installation phases on-site, coordinating factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, and go-live cutover with minimal disruption to client operations.
• Read, interpret, and apply automated system design drawings and layouts to track scope, sequence installation work, and resolve field-fit issues.

Budget Ownership & Financial Management

• Own project P&L: build and manage project budgets, track costs against forecast, and report financial performance and variances to internal leadership and client stakeholders.
• Manage change orders, scope changes, and commercial impacts, ensuring margin protection and accurate financial forecasting across the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and present project financials, schedules, and status reports in client-facing formats appropriate for executive audiences.

Vendor & Subcontractor Management

• Manage third-party equipment vendors, integrators, and subcontractors — including scheduling, performance, quality, and on-site coordination with both onsite and remote project personnel.
• Hold vendors accountable to contractual scope, schedule, and quality commitments; elevate and resolve vendor performance issues that put project milestones at risk.
• Coordinate procurement timelines for MHE and automation equipment to align with installation and go-live schedules.

Stakeholder & Executive Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of accountability for assigned clients, building trust and credibility with stakeholders at all levels — from site operators to executive sponsors.
• Act as a staunch customer advocate internally, translating client priorities into project decisions and surfacing risks proactively rather than reactively.
• Lead steering committee updates, client business reviews, and executive presentations, communicating status, risk, and financial performance clearly to non-technical and executive audiences alike.
• Manage cross-functional internal stakeholders — engineering, controls, software, procurement, and field services — to keep delivery aligned and on schedule.

Risk, Change & Quality Management

• Identify, track, and mitigate project risks throughout the lifecycle; maintain a proactive risk and issue log with clear ownership and resolution paths.
• Manage formal change control processes for scope, schedule, and budget changes.
• Ensure IQ/OQ/PQ and FAT/SAT documentation and quality checkpoints are completed and signed off before go-live.

Qualifications

• Strong project management skills, including project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in engineering, automation, or supply chain environments.
• Knowledge of warehouse operations, material handling systems, robotics, and related technologies.
• Ability to manage client relationships, facilitate stakeholder communication, and align expectations.
• Proficiency with project management tools and collaboration software.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts clearly.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP) are a plus.
• Demonstrated experience delivering large-scale, multi-phase projects on time and within budget.
• Ability to work on-site in Kansas City, MO and travel to client locations as needed.