Company: Eastek International Corporation  Eastek International Corporation is a contract manufacturer delivering end-to-end electronics manufacturing services (EMS) for industries such as medical devices and industrial applications. With facilities in Mexico and Malaysia, and headquarters in Vernon Hills, IL with over 30 years of expertise, we offer design for manufacturability (DFM), PCB assembly (PCBA), injection molding, box builds, and logistics. Certified to ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 13485, we ensure high-quality production and compliance for global markets. Location: Metropolitan Chicago Department: Project Management  Reports to: Global NPI Manager Job Summary The certified Project Management Professional will oversee new electronics manufacturing program introductions, acting as the key liaison between customers and Eastek’s global factories. This role focuses on coordinating communication through regular calls, managing project timelines, providing clear production directives, and reporting daily activities using Microsoft Project. The successful candidate will ensure projects meet scope, schedule, budget, and quality goals while fostering strong customer relationships and driving manufacturing efficiency. Key Responsibilities Customer and Factory Coordination: Schedule and lead regular calls with customers and manufacturing teams in Mexico and Malaysia to align on project requirements, progress, and issue resolution. Facilitate clear, actionable communication to ensure seamless collaboration across time zones. Timeline Management: Develop and maintain detailed project schedules using Microsoft Project, track milestones, critical paths, and dependencies for electronics manufacturing processes (e.g., PCBA, injection molding, final assembly). Proactively manage timeline risks to ensure on-time delivery (OTD). Daily Activity Reporting: Utilize Microsoft Planner to document and communicate daily project updates, including production status, bottlenecks, material planning and resource allocation. Prepare concise reports for stakeholders, highlighting KPIs such as schedule adherence and quality metrics. Manufacturing Site Direction: Provide clear, precise instructions to manufacturing teams, personally review customer documentation and fully understand requirements, including process guidelines. Ensure alignment with customer specifications and compliance standards (e.g., ISO 13485 for medical devices). Maintain Internal Customer Documentation: Organize and maintain customer design files, documents, schematics, drawings, and any other file used to manufacture customer designs. Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, delivering updates through phase-gate reviews and Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRR). Translate technical manufacturing details into client-friendly insights to maintain trust and transparency. Risk and Quality Management: Clearly communicate risks related to supply chain, production yields, or schedule delays. Clearly communicate customer quality controls, such as in-process quality assurance (PPAP, IQ, OQ, PQ), to maintain low defect rates and meet regulatory requirements. Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and quality teams to drive project success. Leverage Global Shop (ERP) systems and Microsoft Planner to align global operations and ensure resource availability. Continuous Improvement: Apply PMP methodologies (PMBOK) and lean principles to optimize processes, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Mentor teams on best practices for project execution. Travel: Up to 15% domestic/international travel to client sites, factories, or industry events for project launches, audits, or troubleshooting. Primary success in this role is measured by on-time launches, customer satisfaction, and stable production ramp.Qualifications Education and Certification: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or related field. Active PMP certification preferred; additional certifications (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) a plus. Experience: 4+ years of project management experience in electronics manufacturing or EMS, with expertise in managing global projects. Proven ability to use Microsoft Planner for scheduling and reporting in PCBA, injection molding, or similar processes. Experience with medical device manufacturing (ISO 13485) preferred. Skills:  o Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Planner for timeline management and reporting. o Strong communication skills for leading customer/factory calls and delivering clear instructions. o Robust problem-solving expertise  o Analytical ability to manage budgets, assess risks, and drive quality improvements. o Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., Global Shop) and manufacturing processes. Personal Attributes: Organized, proactive, constantly curious about improvement and adept at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong interpersonal skills for cross-cultural collaboration and client engagement.