Project Manager Jobs in Hays, KS (NOW HIRING)

The Project Support Specialist provides foundational technical understanding and project coordination for complex customer projects. This role bridges the gap between Project Manager and Project Account Manager by taking on higher-value tasks such as technical review, documentation management, risk identification, and partial ownership of customer-facing deliverables. This is a developmental role designed to build technical proficiency, customer interaction experience, and project execution capability for advancement. 

Essential Functions

• Reviews and validates bills of material (BOMs), drawings, and specifications for accuracy prior handoff.
• Conducts basic material takeoffs for assigned scopes and helps identify material gaps, alternates, and technical solutions.
• Assists in preparing quotations, coordinating vendor pricing, and documenting competitive alternatives.
• Prepares customer-facing documentation including project status updates, delivery schedules, and technical submittal packages.
• Participates in customer and vendor meetings; may lead small portions of the discussion related to documentation, schedules, or open items.
• Proactively identifies customer concerns, schedule issues, or material risks and escalates them appropriately.
• Manages detailed project documentation including schedules, order logs, meeting notes, submittal tracking, RFIs, and change coordination.
• Monitors project workflow for delays, discrepancies, or risks and recommends corrective action to PMs or Account Managers.
• Coordinates closely with Project Coordinators, purchasing, logistics, and vendors to ensure alignment on material needs and timelines.
• Assists with vendor quoting, order accuracy review, order entry, and material expediting when appropriate.
• Supports portions of project budget tracking or margin verification as directed by Project Managers or Account
• Managers (without independent ownership).
• Provides technical support to internal teams regarding product selection, specification alignment, and substitution options.
• Provides temporary project coverage during staff absences ensuring continuity of communication and documentation.
• Participates in process improvement initiatives.

Non-essential Functions

• Assists with vendor negotiations for best pricing and delivery of products to customers and/or jobsites.
• Sets up customer meetings, maintains and uploads negotiated pricing into bidding software and provides invoices. 
• Documents missed opportunities.
• Participates in some or all of the following: product application and support, estimating, procurement, material management, staging, kitting, storage, job site delivery, and project close out. 
• Contacts vendors for pricing and assists with trade shows as needed. 
• Attends training programs, as required. 
• Writes orders in SAP and delivers material. 
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate.

• Minimum of a business or trade degree preferred or the equivalent in work experience. 
• 2+ years of prior customer service, quotation, or sales experience.
• Strong knowledge of electrical products and utility systems, preferred. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of product lines and applications, alternate product substitutes, and supplier pricing policies, preferred. 
• Proficiency in quoting software, preferred. 
• Requires the ability to read, write and speak in English.
• Prefer strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint), internet, email, and SAP software.

• Strong technical ability to understand electrical systems and product applications with prior electrical distribution experience, preferred. 
• Technical ability to read specifications and drawings is highly preferred. 
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, reading, and customer service skills.
• Ability to effectively plan and organize and work well on a team. 
• Demonstrated initiative, attention to detail, and willingness to escalate risk appropriately. 
• Possesses a customer service mindset: competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged.

Lift and carry requirements (weight and frequency):
Occasionally 0 - 33% Frequently 34 - 66% Continuously: 67 - 100%

• Lift from Floor to Waist:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 101 + lbs. - Occasionally
• Above Waist Lift:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
  • 101+ lbs. - Not at all
• Unilateral Carry:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
  • 101+ lbs. - Not at all
• Bilateral Carry:
  • < than 10 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 10 to 25 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 51 to 75 lbs. - Occasionally
  • 76 to 100 lbs. - Not at all
  • 101+ lbs. - Not at all

Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day:

• Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Not at all
• Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Frequently
• Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Continuously
• Bending/Stooping (downward and forward) - Not at all
• Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all
• Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Occasionally
• Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Occasionally
• Crouching/Squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally
• Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally
• Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Frequently
• Repetitive Motion (substantial movement (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Occasionally
• Trunk Rotation (movement in any direction, whether standing or sitting, with at least one foot stationary and in contact with the floor) - Not at all
• Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally
• Handling (applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Frequently
• Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers and not whole hand) - Occasionally
• Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Continuously
• Driving (the control and operation of a fork lift) - Not at all
• Desk Work (tasks generally performed at a desk, including use of a computer, printer, fax machine, telephone and other office equipment) - Continuously
• Use of tools (safely operate equipment needed for receiving, conveying, stocking, packaging, and shipping parts) - Frequently
• Hearing (perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously
• Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Frequently
• Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Not at all

This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation. The pay range for this position is $34.29/hour to $45.96/per hour, depending on experience.