Project Manager - Special Projects

Panelmatic • Houston, TX

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager, Special Projects leads the planning, execution, and delivery of strategic facility startup, expansion, and operational readiness projects across multiple company locations. Projects include new manufacturing facility launches, site expansions, production workstation deployment, facility upgrades, and infrastructure improvements in Houston, Texas; North Carolina; Arizona; South Carolina; and future company locations.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Facilities, Safety, Quality, IT, Human Resources, Finance, contractors, suppliers, and external service providers, the Project Manager ensures each facility is operationally ready to support manufacturing and business operations. This hands-on leader takes facilities from concept and planning to fully operational production sites.

The position is based in Houston, Texas, and supports strategic facility and startup projects across multiple locations. Travel up to 30% is required. The Project Manager is expected to maintain a strong on-site presence during critical phases of facility startup and operational ramp-up.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• 8–12 years of progressive Project Management experience, including facility startups, manufacturing expansions, capital projects, operational readiness, construction management, infrastructure projects, or strategic business initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex cross-functional projects in manufacturing, industrial, construction, or operational environments.
• Proven experience leading facility expansions, new site launches, production readiness initiatives, workstation deployments, or capital projects.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production workflows, and facility requirements.
• Experience managing contractors, suppliers, equipment vendors, and third-party service providers.
• Strong project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management capabilities.
• Experience developing executive presentations, dashboards, and project reporting.
• Excellent communication, presentation, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence teams and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools.

Nice To Haves

• PMP Certification.
• Experience in engineered-to-order manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, electrical equipment, power distribution, automation, infrastructure, EPC, or construction environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead facility startup, expansion, relocation, and operational readiness projects from concept through completion.
• Develop project charters, execution plans, schedules, budgets, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Establish project milestones and ensure timely execution of project deliverables.
• Provide regular project status reports, dashboards, and leadership updates.
• Lead readiness activities for new manufacturing facilities and production expansions.
• Coordinate activities required to prepare facilities for production startup.
• Ensure workstations, furniture, IT systems, network infrastructure, production equipment, tooling, utilities, and facility services are installed and operational.
• Develop and manage production readiness plans with site leadership teams.
• Coordinate startup activities and support production ramp-up efforts.
• Facilitate the transition of completed projects to operations and facility leadership.
• Manage relationships with contractors, equipment vendors, suppliers, installers, and service providers.
• Coordinate construction, renovation, and facility improvement activities.
• Monitor contractor performance, project schedules, quality, and deliverables.
• Ensure vendors meet project requirements, safety expectations, and contractual commitments.
• Support sourcing and procurement activities related to facility startup projects.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Facilities, Supply Chain, Quality, Safety, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Finance.
• Drive stakeholder alignment to meet project objectives.
• Lead project review meetings and readiness assessments.
• Identify and resolve cross-functional issues affecting project execution.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, expenditures, and capital investment requirements.
• Monitor project risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Track project performance against established goals and milestones.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and according to company standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, HSA, term life, AD&D, STD, and LTD.
• Panelmatic pays 100% of the medical premium for employee-only medical coverage.
• For other medical coverage levels, Panelmatic pays 80% and the employee pays 20%.
• 401(k) with employer match of 100% up to 4%.
• Scholarships and educational reimbursement.
• Paid volunteerism.
• Paid personal and professional development.
• PTO and paid holidays.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Competitive wages.
• Family-friendly environment.

What This Job Offers

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