R&D Project Manager, High-Volume Lab Operations (Sheboygan, WI)
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A 100-year-old industrial coatings manufacturer is adding an R&D Project Manager to keep its lab running at full speed. No science background required. No PMP needed. If you can hustle, communicate clearly, and keep 60 to 120 moving pieces organized, you are the target.
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𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗬
Pave Talent is hiring on behalf of our client, a century-old, family-owned industrial paint and coatings manufacturer headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. With approximately 115 employees and two lab and manufacturing sites, this company has the feel of a family business and the discipline of a professional operation. Six Sigma and continuous improvement sit right next to a record player in the lab and group bowling outings. Leadership is on-site and accessible. The CEO is down the hall.
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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬
You will report directly to the VP of Technology and Research Operations and sit at the center of a lab that runs 60 to 120 active R&D projects at any given time. You are the person who keeps that engine running. Your focus is the 30 to 60 day project tier: intake, assignment, status tracking, reporting, and close-out. You will also manage 1 to 3 junior direct reports, with admin coordination as the primary responsibility.
This role starts 100% on-site in Sheboygan while you ramp. Once you are integrated and performing, it transitions to hybrid (2 to 3 days on-site). Flexible start times: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or similar. No travel between sites.
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𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗗𝗢
• Receive new project requests via Microsoft Forms, transfer them into the ERP system, and assign them to the right chemist or technician
• Build and maintain project files, timelines, and report templates for each active project
• Collect interim updates from chemists, keep projects on schedule, and flag anything that is slipping
• Close completed project reports, upload final documentation, and distribute results to internal teams and external customers
• Field questions and urgent requests from colleagues throughout the day with patience and clarity
• Schedule and facilitate project meetings, capture action items, and make sure things actually get done
• Support continuous improvement and Stage Gate process work as the R&D function grows
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𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗞
The VP described a Friday where she did not have a chance to eat from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. "Just requests and questions all day. Herding cats. There are a lot of feelings sometimes too." If that sounds like your kind of day, read on. If you need long stretches of uninterrupted focus time to do your best work, this one is probably not for you.
The role also requires patience with colleagues who have limited computer fluency. A big part of the value you bring is being the calm, organized person in the room when everyone else is overwhelmed.
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𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱:
• Self-starter, intrinsically motivated. You do not wait to be told what to do next.
• Strong computer fluency across Microsoft Office, email, and ERP or project tracking tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to multitask under pressure, handle constant interruptions, and stay calm
• Patience with colleagues who need extra support navigating systems
• Local to Sheboygan, WI or willing to relocate independently (no relocation package for this role)
𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀:
• ERP system experience (any system; DCOM training provided on the job)
• Project management experience in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with Stage Gate processes
• Lean or Six Sigma exposure
• PMP certification or interest in pursuing it (company will support)
• Bachelor's degree in any field
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𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘
Paint, coatings, and chemistry background are not required and are not expected. The hiring manager specifically mentioned that candidates from hospitality, operations, and other high-volume service environments would thrive here. If you can hustle and communicate well, they will handle the rest.
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𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦
𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆: $60,000 to $90,000 depending on experience ($60K to $70K for more junior with a learning curve; $80K to $90K for someone who can hit the ground running)
𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀: Performance-based bonuses available
𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: Medical, dental, and vision included
𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 401(k) with company matching contributions
𝗣𝗧𝗢: Generous PTO plus company-observed holidays
𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲: Flexible start time (7:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: On-site during ramp; hybrid eligible (2 to 3 days) after integration
𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Access to industry training programs, leadership courses, and career pathing support. The company actively develops its people into operations, product management, planning, and beyond.
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Interested? Apply via LinkedIn and we'll be in touch. Confidential search; your application is fully private.
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𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 | 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱