Project Manager - Special Projects

About Us:

Panelmatic, Inc. was founded in 1957 in Youngstown, OH to serve manufacturing industries with the design and build of custom electrical, instrument, and pneumatic control panels. Our business has sufficiently grown over the years to support expansion for our clients. We have produced control packages for many of America's top corporations in the chemical, environmental, food, pulp and paper, rubber, petroleum, pharmaceutical, glass, metals, and utilities industries. We also deliver equipment for use worldwide.

Our rigorous methodology assures compliance with domestic and international standards. We can meet the needs of our diverse clientele from start to finish through sales, design, fabrication, testing, and delivery.

Since 1957, we have been known for our high-quality, custom-built control packages, our comprehensive service, and our technological and manufacturing expertise. This expertise assures you of our ability to handle the largest and most complex packages quickly and efficiently.

Job Summary:

The Project Manager, Special Projects leads the planning, execution, and delivery of strategic facility startup, expansion, and operational readiness projects across multiple company locations. Projects include new manufacturing facility launches, site expansions, production workstation deployment, facility upgrades, and infrastructure improvements in Houston, Texas; North Carolina; Arizona; South Carolina; and future company locations.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Facilities, Safety, Quality, IT, Human Resources, Finance, contractors, suppliers, and external service providers, the Project Manager ensures each facility is operationally ready to support manufacturing and business operations. This hands-on leader thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and takes facilities from concept and planning to fully operational production sites.

Job Duties:

Lead facility startup, expansion, relocation, and operational readiness projects from concept through completion.

Develop project charters, execution plans, schedules, budgets, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies.

Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle.

Establish project milestones and ensure timely execution of all project deliverables.

Provide regular project status reports, dashboards, and leadership updates.

Lead readiness activities for new manufacturing facilities and production expansions.

Coordinate all activities required to prepare facilities for production startup.

Ensure workstations, furniture, IT systems, network infrastructure, production equipment, tooling, utilities, and facility services are installed and operational.

Develop and manage production readiness plans in partnership with site leadership teams.

Coordinate startup activities and support production ramp-up efforts.

Facilitate transition of completed projects to operations and facility leadership

Manage relationships with contractors, equipment vendors, suppliers, installers, and service providers.

Coordinate construction, renovation, and facility improvement activities.

Monitor contractor performance, project schedules, quality, and deliverables.

Ensure vendors meet project requirements, safety expectations, and contractual commitments.

Support sourcing and procurement activities related to facility startup projects

Partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities, Supply Chain, Quality, Safety, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Finance.

Drive alignment among all stakeholders to meet project objectives.

Lead project review meetings and readiness assessments.

Identify and resolve cross-functional issues affecting project execution.

Manage project budgets, forecasts, expenditures, and capital investment requirements.

Monitor project risks and develop mitigation plans.

Track project performance against established goals and milestones.

Ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and according to company standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• PMP Certification preferred.
• 8-12 years of progressive Project Management experience, including facility startups, manufacturing expansions, capital projects, operational readiness, construction management, infrastructure projects, or strategic business initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex cross-functional projects in manufacturing, industrial, construction, or operational environments.
• Proven experience leading facility expansions, new site launches, production readiness initiatives, workstation deployments, or capital projects.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production workflows, and facility requirements.
• Experience managing contractors, suppliers, equipment vendors, and third-party service providers.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management capabilities.
• Experience developing executive presentations, dashboards, and project reporting.
• Excellent communication, presentation, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence teams and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools.
• Experience in engineered-to-order manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, electrical equipment, power distribution, automation, infrastructure, EPC, or construction environments preferred.
• Work Environment
• This position is based in Houston, Texas.
• Responsible for supporting strategic facility and startup projects across multiple company locations.
• Projects may include facilities in Houston, North Carolina, Arizona, South Carolina, and future expansion sites.
• Travel up to 30% is required to support facility assessments, construction activities, vendor coordination, equipment installations, startup efforts, and production readiness reviews.
• The Project Manager is expected to maintain a strong on-site presence during critical phases of facility startup and operational ramp-up.