Project Manager - Gear

Shepherd Electric Company•SES Laurel, MD

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Gear Project Manager sits at the intersection of technical product knowledge and customer execution. Gear — power tools, hand tools, safety equipment, and jobsite essentials — is one of the most volume-driven, relationship-dependent categories in our portfolio. Contractors count on us to have what they need, when they need it, without friction. This role owns the project lifecycle for gear procurement from initial quote through delivery, managing vendor relationships, tracking availability, resolving substitutions, and keeping every stakeholder aligned. The work requires product depth, timeline ownership, and proactive communication. This role connects to the company's compass by embodying 'We Keep Our Promises' through owning project schedules and customer commitments, 'We Stay Hungry' by staying current with the fast-moving tools market, 'We Grow Together' by working collaboratively across teams, 'We Own It' by taking responsibility for project recovery, and 'We Go Above & Beyond' by anticipating customer needs and proactively identifying potential issues.

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.