The position and the candidate

IT/IQ's private sector clietn is seeking a Project Manager to assist with all ERP and IT projects across all their businesses. Based in Richmond, British Columbia and reporting to the PMO Manager, the Project Manager will enable high quality concurrent ERP and IT projects. 

A strongly motivated self-starter with a high degree of initiative, the Project Manager will work across all departments of businesses, including plant operations, sales, finance, and administration, as part of various ERP or IT projects. The Project Manager will ensure that all resources are used in the most efficient manner possible (through effective communication, utilization, and direction), in order to achieve successful implementation and usage of any new or updated business systems.

Scope of responsibilities

• Leads major ERP projects, including design, deployment, enhancement, maintenance, and integration of new or existing business systems or processes.
• Through utilization of project management best practices and superlative communication skills, accelerates completion of multiple technology projects. Project activities will include planning, scheduling, resourcing, task management, budget analysis and reporting, risk management, communication, and training.
• Facilitates meetings and workshops, developing and publishing effective agendas in advance, and taking clear notes and documentation for distribution.
• Oversees task allocation, task completion, and all associated follow-through and reporting.
• Executes technology strategies through excellent organizational leadership to enhance operational excellence, improve staff effectiveness and efficiency, lower product risk, and foster innovation, in conjunction with leadership.
• Writes and updates all project status documentation and reports.
• Maintains a strong commitment to written documentation, including but not limited to internal system and business process documentation, system manuals and user training, and documentation of modifications and upgrades (change control)
• Communicates regularly with management and all users of information services and systems.

Key Success Factors / Priority Candidate Criteria

1.0 Education and credentials: A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or equivalent education and experience, along with advanced technical or managerial credentials (PMP, Prince2, ACP, CSM) or related experience.

2.0  Experience and expertise:

• Ten or more years of progressive technology experience with at least seven years of project management experience, with experience in manufacturing preferred.
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or finance system experience required. Software as a Service (SaaS) implementation experience a plus.
• Knowledge of complex hardware and control systems and advanced reporting and analysis capabilities preferred.
• Capable of working independently and autonomously on a variety of assignments.
• Management of multiple, concurrent projects.
• Ability to work across all departments of the business, from the shop floor to finance to the executive level.
• Strong negotiation skills, including effective management of 3^rd party relationships.

3.0 Project management skills. Superlative organizational and project management skills and experience, and able to proactively manage scope, schedule, and budget. Commitment to effective communication and negotiation, with a drive to complete projects on time, under budget, and exceeding client expectations. Able to manage heavy workloads and tight deadlines.

4.0 Verbal and written communication skills. Excellent and effective use of language (in English) to guide, influence, and document project progress or issues.

5.0 Customer service skills.  Deeply committed to delivering effective, timely, and appropriate service to all internal and external clients. Considered a model for staff.

6.0 Strategic/analytical orientation: Proven ability to think strategically, to apply a results-oriented approach. Excellent analytical skills, with a creative approach to problem solving. Ability to quickly change direction due to changing business goals. Strategically and systematically evaluates the impacts of decisions on projected needs and prospective services, demonstrating good judgement from a broad perspective.

7.0 Relationships

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Utilizes an outgoing, approachable style and is able to build rapport with various stakeholders by developing proactive partnerships with operational and corporate colleagues.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to resolving issues prior to significant conflict.
• Enjoys working in a relaxed, supportive team environment that is fast-paced and ever- changing in nature.

8.0 Leadership

• Politically astute yet not political, the candidate is able to gain trust at all levels within the organization, remaining sensitive to how people and organizations function.
• Able to influence through informal authority.
• Demonstrated ability to be courageous, not afraid of communicating an unpopular perspective believed to be factually correct.
• Self-motivated, actively encourages others to achieve personal excellence.
• Views conflicting needs and requirements as challenges to overcome rather than impediments, and a necessary part of organizational effectiveness.

9.0 Initiative: Self-directed, prioritizes and balances workload according to business goals and requirements, complementing company-mandated projects with self-identified improvement projects as appropriate.

10.0 Facilitator: Considered an enabler, champions the philosophy of effective systems through best practices to promote organizational and individual effectiveness. Gains a strong and deep understanding of the internal company structure, its culture, and its business needs, in order to deliver operational excellence and increase customer value.

11.0 Travel Requirement: Travel required up to 40% of time on an annualized basis, visiting various and/or 3^rd party operations located within Canada and the US, as required. Must have access to a motor vehicle (for local travel) and a recognized and valid driver’s licence. Must be eligible to travel to the US and qualify for an appropriate US work visa, if required.

12.0 Language Skills: Fluent in verbal and written English required, with some French or Chinese desirable.