Production Project Manager - Prototyping

Kaleidoscope•Chicago, IL

33d•$68,000 - $78,000

About The Position

We’re looking for a Production Project Manager with a background in print, packaging, or manufacturing to join our Prototyping team in Chicago. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced production environment - someone who understands how to translate scope into execution, build accurate estimates, and keep projects moving from concept through delivery. You’ll sit at the center of client, estimating, and production-owning scope clarity, driving timelines, and ensuring work is delivered on time and within margin. This is not a passive coordination role- this is about owning scope, protecting margin, and making production work efficiently. Role Summary The Production Project Manager – Prototyping is responsible for managing production-driven client workstreams, developing accurate estimates, and ensuring seamless execution from scope definition through final delivery. This role sits at the center of client, estimating, and production—ensuring that work is clearly defined, executable, and delivered on time and within margin. Each Project Manager operates as: · A production-focused partner to Client Growth Managers (CGMs) · The owner of scope, estimate integrity, and execution readiness · The primary coordinator between client requirements and production reality This role is critical to delivering high-quality output in a fast-paced, quick-turn prototyping environment while protecting schedule, cost, and feasibility.

Requirements

5+ years in print production, packaging production, or manufacturing project management
Proven experience building or supporting production-based estimates or job costing
Strong understanding of production workflows, materials, and timelines
Financial acumen with ability to manage margin and cost drivers
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a high-volume setting
Strong organizational and communication skills across production and client teams
Willingness to travel as required

Nice To Haves

Experience in packaging, prototyping, print, or fast-turn production environments preferred

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of prototyping projects and client workstreams
Drive day-to-day coordination of scope, timing, and deliverables
Lead communication with clients regarding production timelines and constraints
Participate in client meetings, plant visits, and business reviews as needed
Serve as the primary escalation point for project execution issues
Own the development of accurate, production-based estimates aligned with execution realities
Define and document detailed project scope prior to pricing
Partner with Production to validate feasibility, materials, and approach
Build estimates that account for labor, materials, complexity, and risk
Balance competitiveness with margin protection
Update estimates as scope evolves
Capture and document change orders clearly and consistently
Ensure alignment between estimate, production execution, and final billing
Translate client objectives into clear, actionable production requirements
Ensure all work is fully defined before release to production
Communicate production constraints, timelines, and trade-offs
Proactively manage scope or timing changes to maintain alignment
Identify and escalate risks early to avoid delays or rework
Drive disciplined intake and documentation to improve production efficiency
Collaborate with CGMs during early-stage scoping and opportunity development
Provide production and estimating input to shape viable solutions
Ensure all sold work is operationally executable and financially sound
Maintain shared accountability for account performance and growth
Estimate accuracy and integrity
Margin performance on assigned work
On-time delivery of projects
Reduction in production rework
Effective scope and change order management
Client retention and satisfaction
Visibility into upcoming workload and forecast