Director of Engineering and Projects

Summary: Manage and direct the work of the Project Management and Engineering Departments at CES. Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of crane manufacturing projects, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. This role will require exceptional people and project management skills, a technical understanding of crane systems, and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Manages crane manufacturing projects, as well as manages and directs personnel and processes related to Engineering and Project Management for CES. Is responsible for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

Key responsibilities and duties include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Project Planning & Management:

o  Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with customers, sales, engineering, installation, and manufacturing teams.

o  Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and company goals.

o  Proactively monitor project progress and manage risks to ensure timely delivery and successful execution.

Engineering Supervision and Planning:

o  Coordinate schedules, direct or manage the duties of engineering teams to ensure crane designs meet customer specifications and compliance standards.

o  Provide guidance with the development of an engineering process plan; including personnel requirements, material needs, subcontract requirements, facility needs, software and equipment needs.

o  Perform administrative activities associated with the effective management of engineering & shop operations, including compiling, storing, and retrieving production data for reports.

o  Determine responsibilities of assigned organization and staff positions to accomplish business objectives.

o  Train and ensure all assigned employees are aware of and comply with company, government, and customer policies, procedures, and regulations.

Cross-Functional Coordination:

o  Act as the primary point of contact between internal departments (engineering, production, procurement, installation) and external stakeholders (clients, suppliers).

o  Collaborate with supply chain teams to secure materials and manage vendor relationships to meet production schedules.

Customer Engagement:

o  Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, ensuring clear communication throughout the project lifecycle.

o  Address customer inquiries, provide regular project updates, and resolve any issues promptly to ensure satisfaction.

o  Conduct post-project reviews to gather customer feedback and identify areas for improvement.

Process Improvement:

o  Identify opportunities to improve project workflows, reduce lead times, improve installation efficiencies, and optimize resource utilization.

o  Implement best practices in project management to enhance efficiency and team performance.

o  Drive initiatives to standardize project management tools and reporting processes across teams.

Financial Oversight:

o  Monitor project budgets and ensure cost control by managing resources effectively.

o  Prepare financial reports and forecasts, tracking project costs, and profitability metrics.

o  Identify and address deviations from budgets, escalating issues when necessary.

o  Drive change orders with customers resulting from any changes in project scope or job site conditions

Safety and Compliance:

o  Ensure all project activities adhere to industry safety standards and regulatory requirements.

o  Promote a culture of safety and quality throughout the project life cycle.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year College or University in engineering, manufacturing, business management, or a related field; 5 years of project management experience, preferably in the crane manufacturing, heavy equipment, or industrial engineering sectors; 2 years of experience in a supervisory or management role; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

      Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

      Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

      Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

      Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in project management tools and methodologies (e.g. MS Project, Primavera, Agile) and have knowledge of ERP systems software; Manufacturing software; Order processing systems; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

      Other Skills and Abilities: Strong technical knowledge of crane systems, electrical systems, lifting equipment, or similar industrial machinery is preferred. Previous Project Management, Engineering, or Engineering Management experience in the Crane Industry preferred. PMP certification or equal is a plus.

     Other Qualifications:                                                  

Must be able to travel occasionally

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Crane Equipment & Service, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic violence victim status or status as a protected veteran or any other federal, state or local protected class.