Project Manager

Who Are We?

Have you ever gone into a grocery store or convenience store for things like milk, bagged salads, or frozen pizza? The coolers and freezers you find those and other food products in are what we do!! Zero Zone is a manufacturer of reach-in and open refrigerated and frozen food display cases as well as the refrigeration systems that work behind the scenes to cool the cases, keeping the food fresh! We also make powerful industrial refrigeration systems for food warehousing, pharmaceuticals, and even ice rinks!

Our company is structured across 2 divisions – the Display Case Division , located in North Prairie, WI, Waukesha, WI, and Mukwonago, WI and the Refrigeration Systems Division , located in Ramsey, MN and Dyersville, IA.

What Are We Like?

At Zero Zone, you will be a valued member of the Zero Zone team, able to take ownership of your own career path. We believe in hard work, teamwork, collaboration, and respect, and we have grown through dedication to our Purpose: “Preserving customer valuables through refrigeration.” For over 60 years, we have been a leader in refrigeration, and our people are well known for exceptional customer service. We also believe we are the COOLEST coworkers (pun intended)! This is an opportunity for you to make a difference in the refrigeration industry with one of the top leading manufacturers in the country! Come grow with us!!

What Can We Offer You?

• Vacation and Personal Hours (after only 30 days!)

• Competitive Wages

• Comprehensive Benefits Package (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D, HSA/FSA, EAP)

• 401k and Profit Sharing

• 10 Paid Holidays

• Flexible Schedules

• Casual Dress Code

• Wellness Programs and Incentives

• Steel Toe Reimbursement

• Employee Engagement Programs

• One-time Home Computer Reimbursement

• And more!

What Will You Do?

Under the direction of the Engineering Services Manager, the Project Manager will coordinate people, processes, and detailed planning to ensure major project (example: development and release of new product lines) and change orders are completed on time, within budget, within scope, and reach the desired results. Without the aid of direct reports, this individual will need to influence and garner support from key stakeholders to get the resources necessary to execute projects and change orders, and actively drive them to completion. This individual will assist with the development of PRDs (Product Requirement Definition) and guide product development utilizing a mechanical background. Excellent communication, delegation and comfortable managing multiple tasks are key attributes along with being an effective team player and utilizing a problem-solving aptitude.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as lead person for the major projects and change orders.
• Develop and execute short-term and long-term strategic growth plans for assigned product platforms and grow the business
• Create and deliver clear, concise value propositions for each product and present to customers
• Responsible for successful launch and commercialization of new products
• Act as a liaison with sales, engineering, manufacturing, and appropriate division personnel to communicate and deliver product solutions that maintain market leadership
• Coordinate internal resources and meetings to proactively drive projects and change order completion.
• Execute multiple tasks in a timely manner and influence others to complete their tasks.
• Ensure projects and change orders are delivered on time, within budget, and within scope
• Manage and minimize project and change order scope-creep
• Developing risk analysis for projects and leading team to minimize those risks
• Reporting out to management on project status
• Be part of a cross functional team to development a PRD (Project Requirement Definition) for our major projects
• Creating Gantt charts to manage major project timelines
• Develop action plans for major projects and change orders
• Guide product line development with a focus on cost reductions, product performance improvements, design modularity and minimizing product variations
• Led team with a continuous improvement mindset
• Use and continually develop leadership skills
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of Project Management experience, or an Associate’s degree and 7+ years of Project Management experience
• Proficient in Microsoft suite, IFS ERP, and/or Smartsheet
• Experience in a manufacturing environment or refrigeration (preferred, but not required)
• Strong leadership skills with an ability to work with and lead cross functional groups
• Excellent presentation and time management skills
• Strong analytical skills and a high-level attention to detail, rigor and accuracy.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/SPECIFICATIONS:

• Strong communication skills with a passion for serving customers and delivering on Zero Zone’s approach to relationships and problem solving.
• Demonstrates a high degree of foresight and independent judgment in planning, organizing and guiding projects and activities of major consequence.
• Sound business sense prioritizing protecting Zero Zone’s interests while still exceeding customer expectations.
• Technical aptitude to understand products and support with solutions.
• Comprehension of instructions and directions, both oral and written.
• Ability to manage projects with no guidance and continually develops techniques to improve project execution.

PHYSICAL & BEHAVIORAL: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or touch, object tools, or controls
• Frequently is required to stand, walk, or sit, talk, and hear
• Occasionally required to reach above shoulders, climb, crouch, stoop, or kneel
• Requires the use of safety glasses when walking through shop area.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds usually from floor to waist level, up to 20 feet away
• Zero Zone expects all employees to behave and communicate in a manner which will facilitate good relations with customers, clients, co-workers and supervisors: maintaining a positive work atmosphere