Project Manager - Special Projects

Panelmatic • Houston, TX

1d • 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 deployments, 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 facilities are operationally ready to support manufacturing and business operations. This hands-on role takes facilities from concept and planning through to fully operational production sites. The position is based in Houston, Texas, and requires travel of up to 30% to support projects across company locations, with an on-site presence during critical startup and operational ramp-up phases.

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.
• 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.
• Travel up to 30% is required; the role also requires a strong on-site presence during critical facility startup and operational ramp-up phases.

Nice To Haves

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

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, coordinating the activities needed to prepare sites 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.
• 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, schedules, quality, and deliverables.
• Ensure vendors meet project requirements, safety expectations, and contractual commitments; support sourcing and procurement for facility startup projects.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment to meet project objectives.
• Lead project review meetings and readiness assessments; identify and resolve cross-functional issues affecting execution.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, expenditures, and capital investment requirements.
• Monitor project risks, develop mitigation plans, and track project performance against goals and milestones.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and according to company standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage; HSA; term life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
• Panelmatic pays 100% of the employee-only medical premium.
• For other medical coverage levels, Panelmatic pays 80% of the premium 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