Department Manager - Projects

Department Manager - Projects The Projects Department Manager leads the project management team responsible for executing automation projects and oversees the Applications Department Supervisor who supports pre-sale technical scoping and customer engagement.

This role ensures alignment with company objectives including profitability, customer satisfaction, team development, and operational excellence.

The manager is accountable for the performance and integration of both project execution and technical sales processes, working cross-functionally to drive growth and ensure delivery excellence.

Leadership & Oversight * Lead and manage the team of Project Managers and the Applications Department Supervisor, ensuring alignment between technical scoping and successful execution of automation projects.

* Empower team members to develop long-term customer relationships while collaborating with engineering, business development, and field personnel.

* Set and monitor performance metrics, ensuring departmental targets for profitability, utilization, and customer satisfaction are met.

* Serve as the point of escalation for project or pre-sales conflicts and facilitate cross-functional resolution.

Customer Satisfaction & Quality Assurance * Ensure that technical proposals and delivered projects are completed on time and align with customer expectations and quality standards.

* Ensure system-level quality assurance and testing activities are completed to validate performance, functionality, and integration prior to final delivery.

* Define and track customer satisfaction goals, ensuring feedback is acted on to drive improvement.

Project & Sales Strategy Alignment * Oversee the coordination between business development, application engineering, and project management to ensure smooth handoffs, strategic alignment, and cohesive planning.

* Evaluate and approve risk assessments, proposals, project schedules, and resource plans across both pre-sales and execution stages.

* Support Project Managers and Application Engineering in solution development, pricing strategy, and execution readiness.

Talent Development & Team Coaching * Provide career development support, performance feedback, and mentorship to both Project Managers and the Applications Department Supervisor.

* Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement through formal and informal development opportunities.

* Foster collaboration across functional areas and encourage innovation and knowledge sharing.

Sales Support & Business Growth * Maintain accountability for achieving gross profit targets and ensuring timely billing on projects managed by the project management team.

* Partner with business development to identify high-value opportunities and align internal capabilities to meet demand.

* Ensure Application Engineering is equipped to support technical discovery, estimating, and proposal development with a focus on timely, accurate quotes.

* Collaborate with business development on strategic account planning and customer engagement to drive repeat business and expand share-of-wallet.

Safety/Hazard Recognition & Elimination * Pre-plan and identify the methods to eliminate hazards daily by work task * Execute skill in observing habits and hazards of others and bringing it to their attention * Uphold safety as the most important goal of our company.

Support goal of achieving zero accidents * Promote and encourage open communication between field and office regarding all safety concerns, suggestions, improvements, and PPE needed Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Industrial Automation, or related field.

* Minimum 5-10 years of experience in automation project management, with 3+ years leading teams.

* Experience working at the intersection of technical sales and project delivery is highly preferred.

* Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills with the ability to align cross-functional teams.

* Proficiency in project management and CRM/ERP systems.

* Deep understanding of automation hardware, control systems, and industrial processes.

* Ability to balance technical, financial, and customer-focused decision-making.

* Positive safety attitude and strong personal integrity.

Pieper Automation is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minority/Disabled/Veterans/Females are encouraged to apply