Associate Development Project Manager

RTC • Rolling Meadows, IL

10d • $61,746 - $93,854 • Hybrid

About The Position

This role will support our Beauty team, managing product development projects for clients within the retail industry.

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.
• 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.
• Define the agenda and lead the prototype review meeting with the client.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 our 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.
• Prepare cost and budget reconciliations, ensuring that projects are completed within the financial 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.
• Partner with Production Project Managers to ensure a seamless transition from development through handoff to production.
• 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
• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level