Drive your Career!
We love our cars, but it’s the people behind them who make them what they are. To market, sell, and service great cars, we need great people. That’s why at Volkswagen Group Canada, we are passionate about our cars and our brand and foster this same passion and drive in our people. We know that the right people in the right positions can do incredible things, and we love making that happen.
We are looking for a Project Manager based out of the St. Thomas, Ontario office.
Our mission has started. Volkswagen Group’s largest cell factory in St. Thomas will carry out all battery activities – from processing raw materials to developing a unified Volkswagen battery to managing the European and North American gigafactories. Headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, we are experiencing the transformation of mobility up close. Our goal is to contribute a positive impact to our global society, the environment and the economy. To reach these goals we need your POWER!
As we embark on the ramp-up phase of our North American operations and beyond, we are seeking a reliable and proactive Project Manager to join our team. This individual will play a pivotal role in coordinating various aspects of project management, including planning, time schedule, budgeting & cost management, risk management, reporting and quality control, and other project-related tasks as assigned, collaborating closely with project managers and relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and standards.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency in analyzing complex project requirements, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing solutions to enhance project performance. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills are imperative to effectively support the PMO Manager in driving successful project outcomes. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to contribute to the success of our projects and make a significant impact within our organization.
This is a temporary flex hybrid model, requiring 2 days in the St. Thomas office. This is subject to change based on the needs of the project and will eventually be fully onsite.
Primary Responsibilities
- Support the PMO manager on the roll-out of an international full-sized battery cell factory
- Providing project support by assisting in the development and maintenance of project plans, schedules, timelines and documentation, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines.
- Manage the entire investment planning/analysis process to ensure effective allocation of financial resources across the project
- Managing project budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring adherence to financial guidelines/constraints
- Lead financial forecasting activities to predict project expenditures and resource requirements, enabling financial planning and decision-making
- Preparation of materials and presentations for financial committees, providing necessary insights and recommendations for informed decision-making
- Centralizing all aspects of cost management throughout the project lifecycle, including monitoring and controlling project expenditures to ensure alignment with budgetary constraints
- Addressing problems through risk management and contingency planning and presenting solutions and/or alternatives to Head of Project Management and/or other management members.
- Supporting the preparation of executive-level presentations and reports on project milestones, risks, and issues, providing valuable insights to stakeholders and decision-makers.
- Identifying opportunities to enhance PM processes and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within the team.
- Developing and maintaining project management templates, tools, and resources to support project management activities.
- Assisting in the implementation of best practices and standardized methodologies across project teams, promoting consistency and quality in project delivery.
- Actively participating in project team meetings, ensuring that stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.
- Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and serving as a point of contact for PM-related inquiries, fostering collaboration and communication across project stakeholders.
- Providing regular project updates to the Head of Project Management and/or CEO, communicating project status, milestones, risks, and issues effectively.
- Collaborating with other PM Team members to leverage cross-functional project synergies, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing across projects and teams.
- Performing additional duties as assigned or relevant to the position, contributing to the overall success of the PM and organization.
Desired Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, Operations Management or related fields.
- 7+ year’s professional experience managing projects in complex & interdisciplinary environments.
- Project Management certification (e.g.: PMP, CAPM, CSM or similar) is highly desirable.
- In-depth knowledge of project management tools and methodologies.
- Experience in financial planning, analysis, and cost management within project environments.
- Excellent analytical skills for forecasting, budgeting, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint, as well as PowerBI or similar data visualization tools
- Strategic and pragmatic thinking and strong commitment to projects objectives.
- Extremely collaborative, organized, detail-oriented, with an ability to juggle multiple issues and activities simultaneously in a highly professional manner.
- Highly engaging and self-motivated, responsive, structured, results-oriented working skills with ability to deliver results within tight timeframes and to work both independently and within a team.
- Ability to work in an intercultural environment including empathy and interpersonal understandings.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills across hierarchy and functional levels.
- Occasional travel within Ontario, as well as internationally (~10%).
- Ability to maintain flexible work hours to account for time zone differences with Europe, when necessary.
- Overtime may be required to meet ramp-up deadlines.
Additional Desired Skills
- Experience in the automotive and/or e-mobility industry (challenges & opportunities) is considered an asset.
- German language skills are considered an asset.
- Please note that we appreciate the interest of all candidates, however only those under consideration will be contacted.
Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, family status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, or local laws.
Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities including during the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to determine what reasonable accommodation may be available to meet your needs whether it be as an applicant or an employee. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate and reasonable accommodation.