Project Manager, Operations

Reports To: Director of Operations Switchgear

Salary Range: $52-$63.47 per hour

Position Summary:

IEM is currently seeking a Project Manager on the Operations team for our Surrey, B.C. locations and will report into the Director of Operations, Switchgear.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Project Manager to lead and execute strategic capacity expansion projects within our Switchgear Operations division. This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering cross-functional initiatives that increase manufacturing throughput, optimize resource utilization, and improve overall operational efficiency. The Operations Project Manager will serve as the central point of coordination across different project leads within Manufacturing Engineering, Continuous Improvement (CI) Engineering, Quality, Warehouse, Logistics, Human Resources, and other supporting functions to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification.

Please note: This position requires 100% in-office presence in our Surrey, B.C. offices and does not offer remote work.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Execution

• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation strategies for switchgear capacity expansion initiatives.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in alignment with operational targets and business strategy.
• Lead end-to-end project execution from concept through commissioning, ensuring milestones are met and risks are proactively mitigated.
• Track project KPIs such as OEE improvement, throughput gains, cycle time reduction, and on-time delivery improvements.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering to design, procure, and implement new production lines, workstations, tooling, and process improvements.
• Partner with CI Engineering to identify and eliminate bottlenecks through lean manufacturing, value stream mapping, and kaizen events.
• Collaborate with Quality to ensure that capacity expansion maintains or improves product quality standards, CAPA processes, and compliance requirements.
• Work with Warehouse and Logistics teams to optimize material flow, storage capacity, inbound/outbound logistics, and inventory management to support increased production volumes.
• Engage HR for workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, training programs, and shift-structure changes required by capacity growth.
• Interface with Procurement and Supply Chain to ensure timely availability of materials, equipment, and vendor services.

Stakeholder Management and Communication

• Serve as the primary liaison between project teams and senior leadership, providing regular status updates, risk assessments, and executive-level reporting.
• Facilitate cross-functional steering committee meetings, design reviews, and project gate reviews.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve competing priorities across departments to maintain project momentum.
• Develop and maintain a project communication plan ensuring transparency and alignment across all functional groups.

Risk Management and Problem-Solving

• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues through structured risk management frameworks (risk registers, contingency planning).
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for project deviations, schedule delays, or cost overruns.
• Escalate critical issues to leadership with data-driven recommendations and action plans.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage project budgets, track expenditures against forecasts, and report financial performance to leadership.
• Optimize resource allocation across matrixed teams to ensure efficient utilization of engineering, technical, and operational personnel.
• Manage capital expenditure requests, vendor contracts, and purchase orders related to capacity projects.

Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Transfer

• Establish standardized project management methodologies, templates, and best practices for operational projects.
• Document lessons learned, standard operating procedures, and process changes resulting from capacity projects.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the switchgear operations team.

The candidate will be expected to perform additional duties as assigned to support the team and organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing), Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in operations project management within a manufacturing or industrial environment, preferably in electrical equipment, switchgear, or heavy assembly operations.
• Demonstrated track record of leading cross-functional capacity expansion or capital improvement projects from concept through completion.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement tools (5S, VSM, Kaizen, SMED, TPM).
• Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project or equivalent) and ERP systems (Infor, SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, quality systems (ISO 9001 standards), and supply chain management.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence without direct authority in a matrixed organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in engineering, MBA, or related advanced degree.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent certification.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Direct experience in switchgear, panelboard, or electrical distribution equipment manufacturing.
• Experience managing projects in a multi-site manufacturing environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This role operates in both an office environment and on the manufacturing shop floor. Exposure to noise, machinery, and industrial conditions is expected.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move through a production facility for extended periods.
• Occasional travel to other company sites, supplier facilities, or vendor locations.
• May require flexibility in working hours to support multi-shift operations during critical project phases.

Why Join IEM

At IEM, you’ll join a team that powers some of the world’s most ambitious projects. We’re engineers, makers, and problem-solvers who thrive on tackling complex challenges and delivering solutions that keep industries moving forward. If you’re driven, collaborative, and ready to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Your creativity and passion can help us achieve great things—come be part of the journey.

Learn more about IEM at https://www.iemfg.com

We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers

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