Associate Development Project Manager

Outform Group•Chicago, IL

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Development Project Manager (ADPM) supports the development and execution of permanent display projects initiated by the Sales & Commercial teams. Working closely with senior team members, the ADPM coordinates project documentation, timelines, materials, and operational tasks. This role contributes to engineering, prototyping, estimating, and sourcing activities while building the technical and leadership skills needed to grow within the Development function.

Requirements

2–3 years of project management experience in a manufacturing environment required.
Strong time management, budgeting, and organizational skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to read engineering drawings and support prototype builds.
Proficient in MS Office; advanced Excel skills a plus.
Knowledge of fabrication and manufacturing methods across various materials (acrylic, metal, wood, etc.).
Ability to bend, twist, reach and stand for extended periods of time.
Must be able to work in the office and in the plant as needed.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Innovative thinker with strong learning agility.
Effective communicator who collaborates well with cross‑functional teams.
Proactive, dependable, and committed to delivering high-quality work.
Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Highly organized and able to balance multiple deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to take initiative.
Curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.
Results-oriented with a strong personal work ethic.

Nice To Haves

Experience with MS Dynamics 365 or similar ERP systems a plus.

Responsibilities

Prepare project specifications based on input from Sales & Commercial teams (requirements, materials, expectations, timelines, budget alignment).
Manage multiple assigned projects with oversight from senior leaders, ensuring progress on planning, timelines, execution, cost tracking, communication, and documentation.
Support the development of display projects from prototype to hand off into manufacturing by coordinating activities with Engineering, Operations, vendors, and cross‑functional partners.
Collaborate with senior leaders to maintain alignment on timelines, materials, costs, and technical direction.
Give direction to Purchasing for ordering required materials within project timelines.
Consult & inform on manufacturing processes to ensure adherence to specifications and quality; escalate issues when needed.
Assist in vendor communication and support negotiations focused on cost, quality, and lead time.
Act as liaison between internal departments (Sales, Account Management, Engineering, Estimations, Purchasing, Manufacturing).
Assist in building prototypes, inspecting first articles, and supporting engineering validation with guidance from senior team members.
Perform ERP data entry and finalize/upload Bills of Materials (BOMs) from PDM into ERP.