Project Manager - Gear

Shepherd Electric Supply • Baltimore, MD

8d • $60,000 - $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Gear Project Manager is responsible for owning the project lifecycle for gear procurement, from initial quote through delivery. This role involves managing vendor relationships, tracking availability, resolving substitutions, and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned. The position requires product depth, timeline ownership, and proactive communication to prevent job sites from shutting down due to a lack of tools. The Project Manager will work closely with outside sales, purchasing, and directly with customers, acting as the primary point of contact for gear and tool needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• 3–5 years of project management or inside sales experience in electrical wholesale distribution, industrial supply, construction supply, or a related industry
• Demonstrated experience managing project timelines, customer deliverables, and vendor coordination with minimal supervision
• Working knowledge of tools, gear, and jobsite equipment — or a strong foundation and genuine commitment to developing expertise quickly
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) and familiarity with ERP or order management systems; Eclipse experience a plus
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — written, verbal, and client-facing
• Ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively under deadline pressure
• Self-motivated, results-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-moving team environment
• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or related field preferred
• Electrical or industrial distribution experience strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of gear projects — from quote review through procurement, tracking, and delivery — with clear documentation at each stage.
• Coordinate with customers, sales reps, and vendors to ensure orders are placed accurately, lead times are confirmed, and approvals are obtained on time.
• Track long-lead and high-demand items and flag risks to the sales team and customer before they become schedule problems.
• Manage order releases, phased deliveries, and job site staging requirements with attention to sequencing and site readiness.
• Maintain organized, accessible project files so anyone on the team can pick up where you left off without asking you where things are.
• Build and maintain direct relationships with contractors, project owners, and foremen — you are their go-to at Shepherd for gear and tools.
• Anticipate customer needs and communicate proactively — status updates, availability changes, substitution recommendations — before they ask.
• Represent Shepherd’s reliability in every interaction, especially when things do not go as planned.
• Support outside sales by providing accurate, professional quotes and product guidance that helps close business and retain customers.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of gear and tool product lines — power tools, hand tools, safety equipment, fasteners, and jobsite accessories — to advise customers and identify better solutions.
• Translate project requirements into accurate bill-of-materials and procurement plans, catching conflicts or omissions before they create field problems.
• Identify cost-effective substitutions or alternatives when specified products are unavailable or long-lead, and obtain approval from the appropriate parties.
• Stay current on manufacturer updates, supply chain conditions, and product line changes relevant to the Mid-Atlantic market.
• Maintain strong working relationships with gear manufacturers and rep agencies to ensure priority service, accurate lead times, and access to technical support.
• Coordinate with purchasing on stock availability, special orders, and blanket releases to support project timelines.
• Communicate quality or delivery exceptions clearly and promptly — and follow through on resolution without needing to be chased.
• Surface patterns in project failures — recurring errors, substitution overuse, late deliveries — and bring them forward with proposed solutions, not just complaints.
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing: what you learn about a product, a manufacturer, or a project type should make the next PM’s job easier.
• Support continuous improvement in project management processes across Shepherd’s branches and departments.

Benefits

• Excellence in service, pricing, and products has been our mission since 1892.
• Exceptional customer service and extensive inventory.
• Rich history of partnering with industry leaders like Siemens and Eaton.
• Commitment to quality and innovation.
• Experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated teams spanning across sales, project management, wire cutting, shipping, and receiving.
• Skilled drivers who ensure reliable next-day delivery.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED