R&D Project Manager

DIS-TRAN Steel is seeking an experienced R&D Project Manager to lead projects involving facility expansions, continuous improvement, system integrations, process improvements, and general operations.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bringing structure to complex projects, solving problems, coordinating technical teams, and keeping work moving from initial planning through successful closeout. You’ll serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects and work closely with engineering teams, operations, vendors, consultants, subcontractors, and customers to deliver results safely, accurately, on schedule, and within budget.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Project Planning and Execution

• Customer Focus

• Technical Problem-Solving

• Financial and Business Awareness

• Decision Quality

• Collaboration

• Effective Communication

• Organization and Follow-Through

• Managing Priorities and Ambiguity

• Continuous Improvement

• Integrity and Accountability

What You’ll Do:

As the R&D Project Manager, you’ll take ownership of assigned projects from planning through completion while coordinating the people, resources, schedules, documents, and decisions needed for success.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead projects involving expansions, continuous improvement, system integrations, process improvements, and general operations.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for technical, financial, scheduling, and customer-related matters for assigned projects.

• Develop, maintain, and communicate detailed project schedules, milestones, priorities, risks, and action items.

• Monitor project progress and initiate corrective actions when schedules, budgets, or deliverables are at risk.

• Coordinate with engineering, operations, purchasing, expediting, finance, vendors, and other teams to keep projects moving.

• Ensure drawings, submittals, and project documents are accurate, complete, and delivered according to schedule.

• Manage consultants, subcontractors, construction managers, vendors, and project teams to ensure contract plans and specifications are followed.

• Encourage and motivate internal and external teams to meet project schedule, quality, and budget expectations.

• Coordinate material requirements and delivery schedules with purchasing and expediting teams.

• Manage customer requests involving change orders, project accelerations, delays, structural concerns, shipping issues, and material challenges.

• Assist with proper project invoicing and secure customer change orders when appropriate.

• Track project financial performance and communicate concerns, changes, or risks to the Director of Process Engineering and Innovation.

• Provide regular project updates and status reports to leadership.

• Escalate significant changes in project scope, contract value, schedule, resources, or technical requirements.

• Identify errors, omissions, resource constraints, and other issues that may affect project success.

• Analyze project challenges, develop corrective action plans, and follow through on implementation.

• Complete project closeout activities and organize lessons learned for use on future projects.

• Recommend methods to improve productivity, quality, processes, and the overall customer experience.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Engineering, Technology, or a related field from an accredited institution.

• At least three years of project management experience.

• An associate degree or Project Management Professional certification may be considered with at least five years of successful project management experience.

• Strong knowledge of project management practices, methods, and techniques.

• Experience managing technical, operational, construction, engineering, or continuous-improvement projects is preferred.

• Ability to develop and manage project schedules, budgets, documentation, risks, and action plans.

• Experience coordinating vendors, consultants, subcontractors, customers, and cross-functional internal teams.

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Acrobat.

• Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication and coordination with leadership and project stakeholders.

The Ideal Candidate:

You may be a great fit if you:

• Enjoy taking ownership of complex projects and seeing them through from planning to closeout.

• Can bring structure and clarity to projects with multiple teams, priorities, and moving parts.

• Are comfortable balancing technical requirements, financial expectations, customer needs, and project schedules.

• Identify potential problems early and take action before they become larger issues.

• Communicate confidently with customers, engineers, operational leaders, vendors, and contractors.

• Can motivate teams and hold stakeholders accountable without losing sight of collaboration.

• Stay organized while managing changing priorities, tight deadlines, and unexpected challenges.

• Look for lessons learned and practical ways to improve the next project.

• Take pride in producing accurate, high-quality work and following through on commitments.

Travel Requirements:

• Overnight travel may be required for approximately 15% of the work schedule, averaging one to three nights per month.

• Day travel may be required based on project needs.

Benefits:

• Medical and prescription coverage

• Company-paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid time off

• Paid holidays

• Cafeteria plan

• Corporate fitness plan

At DIS-TRAN Steel, you’ll have the opportunity to lead meaningful projects that improve how we operate, support innovation, and prepare our business for continued growth. If you’re ready to take ownership, solve real-world challenges, and help turn ideas into results, we’d like to hear from you.