Operations Project Manager

Description

Summary

The Operations Project Manager is responsible for the daily support of operations in our service and refurbishment centers. The ideal candidate will assist in managing staff, coordinating customer service activities, ensuring service quality standards, and maintaining customer satisfaction. This role requires a balance of leadership, customer service, and operational efficiency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  Include but not limited to the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Support the Service Manager with daily operations of both the body/refurbishment shop and the mechanical repair facility.
• Serve as a liaison between Foremen and the Service Manager, ensuring clear communication and alignment on objectives.
• Oversee work schedules, technician workload balance, and resource planning to meet deadlines and customer expectations.
• Monitor the progress of all active repair, refurbishment, and fabrication jobs, ensuring adherence to scope, cost, and timeline.
• Proactively identify bottlenecks or workflow inefficiencies; implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilize project management tools and methodologies to track job stages from intake through delivery.
• Ensure that company procedures, safety protocols, and quality standards are strictly followed throughout both shops.
• Conduct regular walkthroughs and job audits, escalating issues to the Service Manager where appropriate.
• Assist in developing and maintaining SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for key processes.
• Provide operational support to Foremen, acting as a sounding board and coach for day-to-day problem-solving.
• Support hiring, training, and onboarding processes as directed by the Service Manager.
• Foster a collaborative and safety-conscious work culture among team members.
• Support coordination of parts availability, vendor services, and customer updates in alignment with the Service writer and Parts Associate.
• Assist with customer walkthroughs, project reviews, or quality inspections when necessary.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a proactive, organized, and service-oriented professional with a proven track record in supporting or managing service operations. They bring at least 2–3 years of experience in a service-focused environment (such as automotive & emergency response), with demonstrated ability to lead teams, prioritize tasks, and deliver exceptional customer service. 

• 3+ years of experience in operations, shop management, or project coordination within an automotive, heavy vehicle, or emergency vehicle repair environment.
• PMP certification or equivalent.
• Proven project management experience, including job scheduling, resource planning, and process optimization.
• Strong understanding of mechanical and body repair workflows.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to multitask across multiple active projects with varying priorities.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos. Ability to create standard correspondence. Proficient verbal communication skills, in English, are required.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic mathematics, algebra and geometry.
• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions in written and oral form. Ability to deal with problems involving several variances in standardized specifications.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK CONDITIONS:

• Ability to stand, walk, and move around the shop for extended periods of time.
• Frequent bending, stooping, crouching, and reaching to inspect vehicle damage at various heights and angles.
• Occasional lifting and carrying of items up to 50 pounds (e.g., parts, tools, or paperwork).
• Visual acuity required to inspect vehicles and read estimates, repair orders, and computer screens.
• Manual dexterity is needed to operate computers, mobile devices, and other office equipment.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments, including exposure to loud noises, vehicle fumes, and varying temperatures inside and outside the shop.
• Primarily indoor work in an office within our Service Center.
• Frequent outdoor inspections in varying weather conditions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk over 50% of work time. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.