IT Project Manager - MES / Digital Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are looking for a results-driven IT Project Manager with 15+ years of international experience in manufacturing, digital transformation, and industrial IT. The successful candidate will lead end-to-end MES/ECS initiatives across global manufacturing sites and ensure close alignment between shop-floor operations, business requirements, vendors, and IT teams.

The role requires strong manufacturing expertise and the ability to translate operational processes into scalable digital workflows - from requirements engineering and machine connectivity through integration, UAT, go-live, and hypercare.

Key Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end MES/ECS implementation and rollout projects across international manufacturing sites.

Manage project scope, timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies, resources, and quality.

Translate shop-floor processes and business needs into clear functional and technical requirements.

Coordinate manufacturing, business, infrastructure, integration, cybersecurity, and vendor teams.

Ensure integration readiness between MES/ECS, production equipment, IIoT solutions, and enterprise systems.

Plan and manage testing activities, including UAT, defect resolution, and business acceptance.

Develop cutover and go-live plans and coordinate post-launch hypercare.

Establish effective project governance, reporting, escalation, and stakeholder communication.

Drive process standardization, continuous improvement, and the adoption of digital manufacturing solutions.

Identify delivery risks and operational gaps and implement appropriate mitigation measures.

Support change management, user readiness, training, and sustainable solution adoption.

Requirements

Required Experience and Skills

15+ years of experience in IT project or program management within global manufacturing environments.

Proven track record in end-to-end MES and/or ECS implementation.

Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production processes, and shop-floor requirements.

Experience in digital manufacturing, Industry 4.0, machine connectivity, and IIoT.

Strong project and program management capabilities, including governance, planning, risk management, and executive reporting.

Solid experience in requirements engineering, business analysis, process mapping, and solution validation.

Hands-on knowledge of integration readiness, UAT, cutover, go-live planning, and hypercare.

Experience coordinating cross-functional factory, business, vendor, and infrastructure teams.

Strong leadership, stakeholder-management, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Familiarity with relevant project-management, collaboration, requirements-management, and manufacturing IT tools.

Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in international, multicultural environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field.

Project or program management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2, or an equivalent qualification.

Experience delivering multi-site MES rollouts and global template deployments.

Understanding of integrations involving ERP, automation, SCADA, PLC, data platforms, and industrial infrastructure.

Familiarity with Agile, waterfall, and hybrid delivery models.