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.