Project Manager - Vactor Manufacturing
About The Position
Federal Signal Corporation, a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions, is seeking a Project Manager for its Vactor Manufacturing division. Vactor Mfg. is a leading manufacturer of municipal combination catch basin/sewer cleaning vacuum trucks and industrial vacuum loaders. The Project Manager will own overall project performance, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget. This role involves leading the end-to-end execution of products from concept through production launch, driving alignment between engineering, manufacturability, and cost targets. The position requires developing and managing detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations, while coordinating with various internal teams and external suppliers. The Project Manager will also be responsible for managing risks, tracking issues, and driving continuous improvement. This is a key role in ensuring the successful development and launch of new products within the industrial manufacturing sector.
Requirements
- 5+ years of project management experience in industrial manufacturing or engineered products
- Strong familiarity with NPD processes, including stage-gate, or similar frameworks
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, assembly, etc.)
- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools, such as Asana preferred
- Ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects with technical and operational dependencies
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making capabilities
Nice To Haves
- Experience with capital equipment, heavy manufacturing, or custom-engineered products preferred
- PMP certification or equivalent preferred
Responsibilities
- Own overall project performance, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget
- Lead end-to-end execution of products—from concept, design, and prototyping through production launch
- Drive alignment between engineering design, manufacturability, and cost targets
- Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations
- Maintain project timelines and track progress against milestones, including design reviews, prototype builds, testing, and production readiness
- Coordinate with product management, engineering (mechanical, electrical, controls), operations, supply chain, quality, and sales teams
- Lead regular project meetings and provide updates to leadership
- Manage projects through structured stage-gates
- Ensure completion of required deliverables such as design validation, risk analysis, and process documentation
- Maintain project documentation within appropriate systems
- Partner with operations to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and efficient production processes
- Coordinate testing, validation, and quality assurance activities to meet performance standards
- Support development of work instructions, tooling, and equipment requirements
- Collaborate with supply chain to source materials, components, and outsourced services
- Manage supplier timelines, tooling development, and quality expectations
- Address supply chain risks impacting product launch
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks (technical, schedule, cost, supply chain)
- Lead issue tracking and resolution to ensure timely closure of project gaps
- Drive continuous improvement through post-launch reviews, lesson learned, and process enhancements
Benefits
- annual bonus potential
- insurance (life, medical, dental, vision)
- paid holidays
- paid vacation
- 401(k) with matching contributions
- tuition reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
