Program Manager - Manufacturing

Company Overview

Lapmaster Wolters is a leading global supplier of precision machine tools and semiconductor wafer processing equipment headquartered in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs near O’Hare Airport. Our diverse team works across a broad range of industries and technologies, including semiconductor, electronics, automotive, aerospace, precision bearings, optics, industrial equipment, and medical devices. With over 60 years of experience, Lapmaster Wolters has a proven history of developing cost‑effective solutions for virtually any precision machining application.

Lapmaster is seeking an experienced Program Manager to oversee the successful execution of various projects, primarily high‑precision machine tools. These fast‑paced, high‑impact projects require close collaboration with engineering, supply chain, and production teams to align timelines, budgets, and production scaling.

• Work with sales and marketing to gather inputs from internal experts, market studies, strategic customers, and external consultants.
• Collaborate with management and engineering to document scope, features, design requirements, budget, and timeline for each major project using Stage‑Gate methodology.
• Define resource requirements and skills needed for successful project execution, identifying resource gaps early and during execution checkpoints.
• Compile project plans using Microsoft Project (or similar software), define dependencies, milestones, tasks, deadlines, and track execution, providing regular updates to management.
• Communicate directly with key stakeholders across management, sales, engineering, procurement, and manufacturing to resolve issues and adhere to the project timeline.
• Coordinate cross‑functional teams, including engineering, quality assurance, supply chain, procurement, operations, and external specialists or consultants, potentially distributed across multiple locations and time zones.
• Manage budgets, balance resources across multiple projects, and ensure capacities meet demand spikes.
• Identify blockers such as material shortages or equipment failures and develop rapid‑response solutions to keep projects on track.
• Drive documentation efforts through all phases of project execution to enable smooth transition from prototype to production release, including assembly procedures, quality metrics, installation and maintenance manuals.
• Coordinate crating, rigging, and shipment of machines to customer locations.

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field with 5+ years of program management experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Project.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing methods, preferably in high‑precision automated machine tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including effective use of Teams or similar web‑based meeting software.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.

• 401(k) with matching.
• Medical insurance (company contribution for dependents).
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability.
• Company‑paid life & AD&D.
• Vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).

This company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and affirmative action to all qualified individuals. All personnel actions, including compensation, benefits, recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion, are administered without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, protected veteran or disability status. All employees and applicants are protected from harassment, threats, coercion, intimidation, or discrimination.