Manager, Project Management

Description  

The Manager, Project Management is responsible for leading a team of Project Managers and Senior Project Managers while ensuring the successful execution of all projects assigned within the PMO. This role provides leadership across the project portfolio and works with the Director of PMO and enterprise PMO to leverage and continuously improve project management standards and best practices, develops team capabilities, and drives on-time, on-budget project delivery while creating an exceptional customer experience.

The Manager, Project Management is a trusted thought leader and partner to the Director PMO to ensure alignment of priorities, optimize project execution, and support the organization's strategic objectives.  This role will not only lead high level programs but work to mature project, program, portfolio management within the organization by partnering with the enterprise Copeland PMO.

As the Manager, Project Management, you will:

• Lead, develop, and manage a team of Project Managers and Senior Project Managers, providing coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development
• Oversee the successful execution of Engineer-to-Order (ETO), refrigeration, gas compression, and other strategic projects, ensuring delivery aligns with customer, operational, and financial objectives
• Collaborate with enterprise PMO to leverage and continuously improve project management standards, governance processes, tools, metrics, and best practices to drive consistent project execution across the organization
• Provide portfolio oversight by monitoring project performance, resource utilization, schedules, budgets, risks, and priorities across multiple concurrent projects
• Partner with Sales, Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, Logistics, and Field Services to align resources and drive accountability for project success
• Serve as the escalation point for complex projects, customer, and cross-functional issues, leading resolution efforts to minimize business and customer impact
• Foster strong customer and stakeholder relationships by ensuring effective communication, managing expectations, and driving high levels of customer satisfaction
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on project execution, operational efficiency, customer experience, and profitability
• Drive project forecasting, resource planning, capacity management, and portfolio reporting to support strategic decision-making and business objectives
• Championing a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and project management excellence while supporting organizational growth and strategic initiatives

Required education, experiences & skills:

• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of professional experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, engineering, or related industries
• 5+ years of project management experience managing complex, cross-functional projects
• 3+ years of people leadership experience, including direct management, coaching, and development of project management professionals
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Experience managing portfolios of multiple concurrent projects with significant revenue, schedule, and customer impact
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence organizational outcomes without direct authority
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, portfolio management, risk management, and resource planning
• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational accountability and execute strategic initiatives
• Strong financial acumen, including project budgeting, forecasting, margin analysis, and cost control
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills
• Proficiency with project management software and Microsoft Office products

Preferred education, experiences & skills:

• MBA or advanced technical degree
• Experience within refrigeration, HVAC, industrial equipment, compression systems, or engineered-to-order manufacturing environments
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification
• Experience implementing project management processes, governance frameworks, and performance metrics
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and cross-functional improvement initiatives

Why Work in the Greater Milwaukee Area 

Cudahy is a quaint community located in Milwaukee County, where clean neighborhoods mingle with acres of parkland, major transportation access, and big-city attractions all within an arm's reach, with a small-town feel. Cudahy has six county parks and 823 acres of parkland, seasonal farmers markets in front of City Hall, and miles of beautiful lake Michigan shoreline. With lots of community involvement, the city has many family-friendly events throughout the year.   

The area is home to several major league sports teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks and Milwaukee Brewers, with Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, just 2 hours away!   

Traveling in and out of the area is also a breeze! General Mitchell International Airport is just minutes away, with Chicago O’Hare International Airport just a little over an hour away. 

About Our Location 

The 150-year history of the Vilter brand tells a rich story of perseverance and drive to cultivate continuous innovation within the industrial refrigeration and gas compression industries. We offer the latest products and solutions for industrial refrigerators and oil and gas compression. Approximately 300 employees work in Cudahy, who all support a multitude of business functions. With the blend of businesses and functions represented under this one roof, there are many opportunities for advancement within the Cudahy location. 

Collaboration First Hybrid Work Arrangements:

This role is hybrid eligible with the requirement to be in office at least three days per week. Colleagues are expected to demonstrate a collaboration first mindset, which is the understanding that teams will work together in-person and colleagues should be flexible to adjust their hybrid days based on business needs. You will have an opportunity to work with your team and leader to determine when you should be in office to drive meaningful connections and to best serve our customers.

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