Associate Project Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Associate Project Manager is a member of the Procurement Center of Excellence (CoE) responsible for managing operational and process improvement projects while supporting larger cross-functional initiatives. This role partners with business stakeholders and project sponsors to plan coordinate execute and implement projects that drive operational effectiveness and business outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a highly organized and results-oriented project professional who can independently manage projects coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders and contribute to larger cross-functional initiatives. This individual combines strong project management fundamentals with a hands-on approach to execution and continuous improvement.

Serving as a key point of coordination across Operations and cross-functional teams this role helps drive project success through effective planning communication risk management and stakeholder engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Independently manage small to medium-sized operational process improvement and business projects from identification through implementation.
• Support the senior manager and business leaders on larger more complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Develop and maintain project plans timelines milestones and project artifacts.
• Define project scope deliverables schedules and success measures for assigned projects.
• Monitor project progress and proactively identify risks issues dependencies and potential roadblocks.
• Coordinate resources and stakeholders to ensure projects remain on track and objectives are achieved.
• Facilitate problem resolution and escalate significant risks or issues when appropriate.
• Support implementation activities and help ensure successful transition and adoption of project outcomes.
• Maintain accountability for project deliverables timelines and commitments.

Execution & Project Support

• Actively contributes to project execution activities to achieve business objectives and ensure successful delivery.
• Prepare project deliverables documentation communications presentations enablement materials and implementation plans.
• Support teams in identifying and resolving operational challenges that may impact project scope timelines or business outcomes.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure action items are completed decisions are documented and commitments are fulfilled.
• Apply a hands-on approach to delivery helping teams translate plans into action and move initiatives efficiently from planning through execution.
• Leverage AI automation and digital tools to streamline project processes improve efficiency and enhance delivery outcomes.

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Build strong relationships across the organization to drive alignment engagement and execution.
• Coordinate project activities across Operations Product IT Finance Sales and other business functions.
• Facilitate project meetings working sessions and stakeholder communications; support leadership reviews as needed.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects and initiatives.
• Communicate project status key decisions risks dependencies and priorities to stakeholders and leadership.
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to support project objectives resolve issues and drive successful outcomes.

Portfolio Management & Reporting

• Manage multiple assigned projects simultaneously while balancing priorities timelines and stakeholder needs.
• Prepare and maintain project status reports project metrics and support documentation.
• Monitor project progress and identify risks issues dependencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Follow established Procurement CoE project management standards processes and tools.
• Provide project stakeholders and leadership with regular updates regarding milestones timelines and key deliverables.
• Support resource coordination and project planning activities for assigned initiatives.
• Maintain accurate project records documentation and action logs to support successful project execution.

Enablement Continuous Improvement & Communication

• Develop and maintain project templates playbooks standard work and proven practices to drive consistency and execution excellence.
• Partner with stakeholders to support communications readiness activities enablement and adoption efforts.
• Ensure stakeholders understand project objectives timelines impacts decisions and required actions.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery and operational effectiveness through process optimization automation and digital solutions.
• Utilize data reporting and AI-enabled tools to support project planning performance monitoring and informed decision-making.
• Support and promote innovative ways of working that improve productivity collaboration and business outcomes.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by identifying sharing and implementing lessons learned across projects and initiatives.

KEY SKILLS The ideal candidate for this role will excel in the following areas.

• Execution Excellence Drives disciplined execution manages priorities and dependencies and consistently delivers results.
• Ownership & Accountability Takes ownership of assigned projects and deliverables proactively addresses challenges and follows through to completion.
• Project Management Effectively plans coordinates and manages multiple initiatives timelines resources risks and dependencies.
• Organization & Prioritization Maintains structure across multiple projects priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Stakeholder Collaboration Builds trusted relationships aligns diverse stakeholders and drives cross-functional outcomes.
• Change Management & Adoption Supports organizational change by facilitating stakeholder engagement communications readiness activities training and adoption of new processes tools and ways of working.
• Communication Communicates priorities risks decisions and recommendations clearly concisely and professionally.
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking Proactively identifies issues evaluates potential impacts and develops practical solutions to maintain project momentum.
• Adaptability & Agility Responds effectively to changing priorities business needs and project requirements while maintaining focus on results.
• Continuous Improvement Identifies opportunities to improve processes increase efficiency and enhance project delivery through standardization automation and best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of experience in project management project coordination PMO business operations or a related field.
• Experience leading small projects independently and supporting medium to large cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage project schedules deliverables risks dependencies and stakeholder communications.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and supporting projects through planning execution implementation and adoption.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with project management and work management tools (Smartsheet preferred).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications including Outlook Teams Excel PowerPoint and SharePoint.
• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience supporting process improvement or change management initiatives preferred.
• CAPM project management coursework Lean Six Sigma or change management training preferred.
• Experience utilizing AI-enabled productivity tools to improve efficiency and project execution preferred.
• Willingness and ability to occasionally travel for workshops or meetings.