Associate Development Project Manager

RTC•Rolling Meadows, IL

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role will support our Beauty team, managing product development projects for clients within the retail industry. The primary focus is on managing client expectations regarding development projects, acting as the main technical contact, and ensuring clear communication between clients and internal teams. This position is intended to manage client interactions related to development, potentially replacing some account management functions in this area.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a technical program
Strong organizational skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Exposure to having face-to-face interaction with customers and clients
Ability to manage the development of the project from concept through production.
Ability to work with a variety of team members (Designers, Engineers, Project Managers, Account Managers, Production, Account Services)
Work in a fast-paced and multitasking environment, managing multiple projects and clients simultaneously.
Must be flexible and be able to adapt
Proficient in MS Project

Responsibilities

Interact with account managers and directly with clients to understand their business needs and expectations clearly.
Manage the client's expectations regarding their development projects.
Build positive working relationships with clients and ensure client satisfaction.
Act as the primary contact for client technical queries and concerns about their development projects.
Attend project-based client meetings as required.
Gently remind the client if they are delayed in providing feedback.
Define the agenda and lead the prototype review meeting with the client.
Document all changes from the meeting and disseminate them through the organization, ensuring that drawings or production details reflect these changes.
Provide and issue comprehensive meeting minutes from all other client or internal project meetings, detailing all agreed-upon actions and deadlines.
Act as the key contact for all internal resource teams for development project details and requirements.
Remind the account manager, the client, and the development team of upcoming deadlines.
Warn the account manager (or the client if the account manager is not involved in the project) if a deadline looks like it’s going to slip.
Make sure that the client understands what was done and why it was done (ideally relating what was done back to the development brief).
Capture client feedback in a structured manner so that each iteration moves the deliverable closer to finalization.
Coordinate with Client Business Development or Account Management to ensure all development projects are completed within the agreed working parameters.
Prepare project proposal/scoping document.
Respond to the development requirements of an RFP, complete with deliverables, timelines, budget, etc.
Create the development project plan, schedule, and budget according to client requirements.
Assess potential risks and technical challenges and develop appropriate mitigation plans.
Determine resource requirements and identify resources with the right skills to execute projects successfully.
Launch development “kick-off” meeting and debrief the relevant departments.
Ensure that all involved parties clearly understand project requirements.
Set and communicate deadlines for key tasks, negotiating both with account managers about client needs and the development team about the time they need to do a thorough job.
Ensure that the development team has all they need to do their work (e.g., the right files, the development brief, clear deadlines).
Juggle resources and deadlines and then adjust and communicate project schedules accordingly.
Establish and evaluate timelines (Gantt Charts) based on their information.
Prepare detailed project plans for the completion of works, showing key project milestones.
Liaise with internal resources to identify and specify the most suitable manufacturing materials and processes to meet the budget, timeline, and quality requirements.
Work with external supplier base to perform tasks where project timelines require additional resources.
Assist with and/or complete prototype and production estimates where required.
Set up project numbers and sub-sections to record all costs via time or value.
Ensure that quality control parameters for both internal and supplier manufacture are set and controlled.
Continuously review the project plan, implementing control measures as and when necessary.
Work with internal resource teams and external suppliers to develop cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and productivity.
Brief internal resources on prototype requirements and/or assist with subcontractor briefing.
Analyze and resolve project issues in a timely and accurate manner.
Coordinate with the development team (design, engineering, prototype managers, estimating, account services, finance) daily to execute assigned projects within deadlines and budget.
Monitor quality and ensure that changes are recorded throughout the prototype process.
Liaise with the Design, Engineering, and Estimating teams to outline any specification changes or upgrades to equipment and determine their impact on cost.
Report any cost impact directly to the client on a timely basis to ensure cost recovery.
Prepare cost and budget reconciliations, ensuring that projects are completed within the financial budget.
Instigate control measures when projects are running over budget.
Liaise with account services to verify that all client invoices are processed and issued in a timely fashion.
Ensure all prototypes produced are photographed to a high enough standard to be considered for use in a corporate presentation.
Ensure all project documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner, and in accordance with company policy.
Ensure proper project close-out, including archiving of files so they can be easily accessed when needed in the future.
Document any learnings.
Partner with Production Project Managers to ensure a seamless transition from development through handoff to production.
Ensure accuracy of production engineering drawings and BOMs.
Create an environment of continuous improvement by constantly reviewing methodologies, procedures, and materials, making and implementing the agreed improvements.

Benefits

Hybrid schedule: at least two in-office days per week after training
Medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield (options include 2 PPO plans and 1 HMO plan)
Dental insurance (offered through 2 PPO plans)
Access to BCBS Benefit Value Advisor and Member Rewards programs
Flexible Spending Accounts (for health and dependent care)
Commuter transit benefit
401(k) plan with 6% contribution and 3% company match, including a Roth option
Company-paid life insurance (3x salary, with the option to purchase additional coverage)
Company-paid short-term disability insurance (long-term disability optional)
16 days of PTO each year
9 paid holidays
Tuition assistance program
Early Fridays year-round (finish at 2:30 PM)
Volunteer Time Off (VTO) plus company-sponsored volunteer activities
Wellness PTO is encouraged for vacations and mental health breaks
Employee Assistance Program offering legal, financial, and counseling resources
Discounts on fitness center memberships for employees enrolled in Blue Cross plans
100% coverage for preventive care, including annual check-ups and screenings
Lactation rooms available for new mothers at the Rolling Meadows location
Annual on-site flu clinics in Romeoville and Rolling Meadows for employees and covered dependents (or covered through insurance if off-site)
Mentors with deep industry experience
Management assistance in defining and realizing career goals
Variety of opportunities for training and advancement