Strategic Project Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Job Posting:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes, and better businesses. We exist to make our customers' complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. Ferguson is proud to provide best-in-class products, service, and capabilities across industries including Industrial, Commercial/Mechanical, Fire & Fabrication, Waterworks, and more. With approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations, Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful.

Ferguson's Automation Center of Excellence (ACE) is expanding its project support with a dedicated focus on waterworks automation projects. We are seeking an Automation Project Manager to help bridge the gap between waterworks project requirements and valve automation expertise. This role is designed for someone who thrives at the intersection of project management, valve automation, and technical specification review, ensuring our customers receive the highest level of execution, accuracy, and service.

Ideally this role would work in close proximity to one of Ferguson's valve automation centers, but does also have the ability to work in a fully remote capacity anywhere in the United States.

• Lead and manage waterworks-focused automation projects from initiation through completion, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Tackle EPC, contractor, municipal, and end-user projects, recognizing that each requires a different approach to be successful.
• Review waterworks project specifications and help build compliant automation packages, including valves, electric motor operators, pneumatic actuators, mounting kits, controls, and related components.
• Support projects involving motor-operated valves (MOVs), including packages with electric operators such as Limitorque, Rotork, EIM, AUMA, and similar products.
• Support pneumatic valve automation packages when required, including actuator, accessory, and control package coordination.
• Leverage resources from documentation and quotation specialists to support project requirements, including submittals, testing documentation, O&M manuals, and formatting in the way customers expect to receive.
• Collaborate with ACE, Projects Quotation Team, Project Execution Team, Waterworks teams, and Management to continue building best practices for handling waterworks, EPC, contractor, and end-user projects as the division grows.
• Partner with ACE teammates, project managers, and technical specialists to execute projects that combine engineered automation packages with complex documentation and submittal requirements.
• Recommend products and solutions that align with client needs, including valves, actuators, electric motor operators, mounting kits, accessories, and engineered automation systems.
• Establish and maintain strong customer relationships, serving as a key point of contact for major accounts and strategic project opportunities.
• Coordinate with inside sales, outside sales, vendors, valve shops, fabrication teams, and waterworks stakeholders to ensure accurate quotes, timely builds, and seamless delivery.
• Conduct project meetings, track milestones, and prepare status updates for customers and leadership.
• Drive alignment with Ferguson's Intentional Product Strategy (IPS) to maximize gross margin, standardization, and efficiency.
• Serve as a liaison between field teams, customers, and vendors to resolve technical or project challenges quickly and minimize delays.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and support ACE's mission of standardization, collaboration, and shared best practices across districts and business groups.

• 3-5 years of project management, valve automation, engineered products, waterworks, or related industry experience preferred.
• Valve automation experience is highly preferred, including experience with actuated valve packages, engineered automation packages, or complex valve assemblies.
• Electric motor operator experience is highly preferred, including familiarity with Limitorque, Rotork, EIM, AUMA, or similar MOV products.
• Waterworks project experience is highly preferred, including familiarity with waterworks specifications, valves, actuators, controls, and related package components.
• Project experience is highly preferred, especially with EPC, contractor, municipal, end-user, or specification-driven project work.
• Ability to review project specifications, identify exceptions or gaps, coordinate with vendors, and help develop compliant project solutions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, submittals, and project timelines.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent industry experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Project).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across inside sales, outside sales, vendors, customers, and cross-functional project teams.
• Ability to travel occasionally as required by projects and/or training.

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well-being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well-being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and more!

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Pay Range:

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Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.

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This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.

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Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.

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The Company is an equal opportunity employer as well as a government contractor that shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), which prohibits discrimination against qualified protected Veterans and the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(A), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.

Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. is an equal employment employerF/M/Disability/Vet/SexualOrientation/Gender Identity.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Information