Plant Engineering Project Manager (Arcadia, WI)

Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture- Where Innovation Meets Comfort

Who We Are:

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the world’s largest manufacturer of home furnishings, we’re more than a business — we’re a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

If you’re ready to grow, you’ve come to the right place. With a true “Growth Mindset,” Ashley Furniture invests in developing future leaders and helps every team member learn from the best in the business.

If you are a current Ashley employee: Please login to your UKG account and apply using the internal job board.

Summary:

The Plant Engineering Project Manager provides leadership and direction for construction, land use, facility development, and capital improvement projects across Company operations. This role is responsible for the planning, design, construction, renovation, maintenance, and overall management of Company buildings and facilities. The Plant Engineering Project Manager oversees projects from concept development through completion, ensuring they are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with all applicable standards and regulations.

Responsibilities:

Project Management & Facility Development

• Lead all aspects of new construction, facility expansions, renovations, remodels, and infrastructure improvement projects from planning through project completion.
• Develop project drawings, specifications, schedules, budgets, and execution plans to ensure successful project delivery.
• Coordinate project activities to meet facility operational requirements while maintaining cost-effective solutions.
• Track project schedules, budgets, milestones, and deliverables to ensure projects remain on time and within budget.
• Maintain accurate daily project logs and documentation for all ongoing activities.
• Review and supervise time-and-material projects to ensure accuracy and cost control.

Contractor & Vendor Management

• Manage all phases of project bidding, including preparation of bid packages, solicitation of bids, contractor qualification, evaluation, and contract negotiations.
• Ensure timely receipt and review of bids to obtain competitive pricing and maximize project value.
• Select, hire, and oversee architects, engineers, surveyors, environmental consultants, geotechnical testing agencies, contractors, and other project partners.
• Negotiate contracts and service agreements while ensuring quality workmanship and adherence to project specifications.

Construction Quality Control

• Oversee quality assurance and construction inspections for projects, including structural, concrete, roofing, and related facility systems.
• Conduct site visits and inspections throughout project execution to verify compliance with plans, specifications, safety standards, and quality expectations.
• Review completed work and ensure deficiencies are addressed promptly.
• Ensure projects are completed according to contractual requirements and industry best practices.

Financial Management

• Review, approve, and process invoices, progress billings, and project expenditures.
• Verify contractor payments against project progress, lien waivers, and contractual obligations.
• Monitor project costs and ensure sufficient retainage is maintained to protect Company interests until work completion.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements while maintaining quality standards.

Facility Assessment & Maintenance Support

• Conduct periodic inspections of facilities to evaluate building conditions, equipment status, maintenance needs, and property damage.
• Develop and coordinate inspection programs for domestic manufacturing and distribution facilities.
• Recommend and prioritize facility repairs, upgrades, and preventive maintenance initiatives.

Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Communicate departmental goals, project updates, and company initiatives to employees and stakeholders.
• Facilitate regular team meetings, one-on-one discussions, and development conversations.
• Ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and company policies through regular audits and reviews.
• Manage resources effectively, including equipment, facilities, personnel, methods, and materials.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Project Management, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• 1-5 years of experience managing construction, facility development, capital projects, or plant engineering projects.
• Experience overseeing commercial, manufacturing, distribution center, or industrial construction projects preferred.

Additional Qualifications, preferred:

• Strong understanding of construction methods, facility engineering, project management principles, and contract administration.
• Experience with budgeting, project scheduling, bid management, and contractor negotiations.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, engineering, and construction drawings and specifications.
• Knowledge of building codes, safety regulations, environmental requirements, and quality standards.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with project management software and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Travel: Required 30-40%

Work Environment:

This position is located in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role may require extended periods of standing or walking on concrete floors and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The fast-paced environment involves time-sensitive and safety sensitive operations and may include various shift schedules to support production and distribution needs.

Benefits We Offer:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

Our Core Values:

• Honesty & Integrity: Acts with transparency, discretion, and ethical judgment. Trusted to handle sensitive information and provide accurate, unbiased insights.

• (Dirty Fingernail: Takes full accountability for outcomes, not just tasks. Inspects details, ensures data accuracy, and follows through to completion.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks better ways to improve templates, tools, and processes. Learns from prior initiatives and embeds lessons into standard work.

• Growth & Results Focus: Understands how transformation initiatives drive growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Keeps work aligned to enterprise priorities.

• Culture of Leadership: Leads through influence, reliability, and example. Builds trust across functions and supports leaders at every level.

• Customer-Centric & Boundaryless: Works across silos for the greater good of the organization. Ensures outputs meet the needs of executives, initiative owners, and teams.

• Operational Excellence: Demonstrates strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, executable tools.

Interested in learning more about Ashley Furniture’s Community Engagement programs, Environmental Stewardship, or our Core Values, click the links below:

Corporate Social Responsibility

View Our Corporate Brochure

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Notice to Search Firms: We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms. We will not pay any placement, referral or other fees to any search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

* Please note this position is not eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future.