Project Manager | Rockford, Illinois
Direct Hire | Onsite daily
Targeted salary range: $75,000 - 120,000 (based on experience, project management capabilities, and technical background)
Kelly Engineering is seeking a skilled Project Manager to join our client's team, with experience in manufacturing, automation, custom machinery, capital equipment, or another technical project environment.
This role is responsible for managing turnkey equipment and manufacturing projects from initial planning through completion. Depending on experience level, you may support projects under the direction of a senior team member or independently lead complex projects involving engineering, manufacturing, assembly, installation, budgets, schedules, and customer communication.
The Project Manager serves as a central point of coordination between internal teams and customers to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with contractual and technical requirements.
What You'll Do:
Manage or support turnkey projects from kickoff through delivery and installation.
Review contracts and ensure project milestones, documentation, schedules, payment requirements, and other commitments are met.
Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and forecasts.
Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, assembly, and installation.
Participate in design reviews and maintain a strong understanding of the equipment and technical requirements for assigned projects.
Monitor material availability, shortages, production progress, and other issues that could affect cost or delivery.
Work closely with assembly and manufacturing teams to develop plans, allocate resources, and keep projects moving according to schedule.
Identify project risks, open issues, quality concerns, and non-conformances, and help drive them through resolution.
Lead project meetings, including project reviews, design reviews, assembly planning, shipment readiness, installation preparation, and post-project lessons learned.
Serve as a key point of contact for customers, providing project updates and resolving issues or conflicts.
Manage project scope and coordinate change requests or contract amendments when needed.
Track project performance and provide status updates to leadership and other stakeholders.
Support continuous improvement efforts related to quality, safety, productivity, and project execution.
Required Skills:
Technical, engineering, manufacturing, or related experience.
Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment where schedules and project needs may change.
Experience or the ability to develop proficiency with project scheduling and business software.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work independently, with the level of oversight based on experience.
Experience managing or supporting project schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and cross-functional teams.
For senior level candidates : 10+ years of PM experience leading complex projects with significant customer and internal stakeholder interaction, with proved ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, contractual requirements, and change requests with minimal oversight.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Experience in manufacturing, automation, custom machinery, capital equipment, or another technical project environment.
PMP certification, particularly for senior-level candidates.
Experience with Microsoft Project or similar scheduling software.
SAP experience.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma.
Understanding of manufacturing costs and budgeting.
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision insurance
PTO
401k
All applicants applying for this job opening must be legally authorized to work in the United States and are required to have US residency at the time of application. Sponsorship is not available for this opportunity. OPT or H1B Visa is not being accepted at this time.
As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job @type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.
Why Kelly ® Engineering?
Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we're here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.
About Kelly
Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .
Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly's Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.
