Project Manager - Manufacturing - LED FastStart

Job DescriptionJob Description

Position Description: Project Manager - Manufacturing – LED FastStart

Position Title: Project Manager - Manufacturing – LED FastStart
Position Classification: Unclassified
Reports to: Director of Project Operations
Position Summary:
Key Responsibilities:

LED FastStart is Louisiana's workforce development program designed to support economic growth by preparing and sustaining a skilled

workforce for businesses expanding or relocating to the state. The program offers customized recruitment, training, and retention solutions at no cost to eligible companies, ensuring they have qualified employees ready to contribute from day one.

We are seeking a Project Manager to join our team, responsible for overseeing various projects related to recruitment, training, and workforce initiatives for client companies throughout Louisiana. The ideal candidate will be able to develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders while managing multiple projects to ensure successful workforce development outcomes.

The Project Manager will manage multiple LED FastStart workforce training projects for manufacturing and logistics client companies across the state of Louisiana.

Project Planning and Initiation:
Develop clear project objectives, deliverables, and timelines in collaboration with stakeholders.
Conduct organizational needs analyses to identify workforce gaps and propose tailored training solutions.
Create comprehensive project plans that align with client goals and organizational capabilities.

Stakeholder Engagement:
Build and sustain relationships with client companies across a wide range of industries.
Project Manager – Manufacturing - FastStart 04-10-2025 2
Facilitate clients work with the LED FastStart Workforce Initiatives team that manages workforce pipeline efforts with schools and economic development organizations.

Execution and Coordination:
Oversee the implementation of recruitment, training, and workforce initiatives for client companies.
Ensure team members complete assigned tasks efficiently while resolving obstacles that arise during execution.
Facilitate collaboration between internal departments (Recruitment, Training, and Workforce Initiatives) to ensure cohesive project delivery.

Communication and Documentation:
Compile and organize information to produce detailed scopes of work for services provided to client companies.
Maintain regular communication with stakeholders, providing updates on project progress and addressing concerns.
Identify stakeholders’ roles (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) to clarify involvement in LED FastStart initiatives.
Centralize information flow to minimize conflicting messages and ensure smooth communication.
Document project KPIs, milestones, deliverables, lessons learned, and other relevant information for reporting purposes.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
Track project performance against established KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to ensure objectives are met.
Identify risks or deviations from the plan and implement corrective actions as needed.
Evaluate project outcomes to ensure quality standards are achieved and stakeholder expectations are fulfilled.

Leadership and Team Management:
Assemble and lead project teams by assigning roles, setting deadlines, and providing necessary resources.
Foster a collaborative work environment that promotes productivity and innovation.

Resolve conflicts within teams or among stakeholders to maintain project momentum.
 

Required Skills & Competencies:
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent communication skills for engaging stakeholders at all levels.
Proficiency in problem-solving and risk management techniques.
Ability to analyze complex needs and propose actionable solutions.
Familiarity with project management methodologies.
 

Examples of Duties:
Job & task analysis
Project planning
Curriculum design
Scheduling
Resource management
Records management
Data collection
Program evaluation
Other duties as assigned
 

Minimum Qualifications:
Proven experience in project management.
Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, manufacturing, or related manufacturing equivalent experience.
Strong understanding of workforce development initiatives.
Ability to work effectively across different sectors and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders.

Extensive manufacturing/industry experience (10+ years) with at least 5 years in training responsibilities may be substituted for the bachelor’s requirement

Company DescriptionWith a mission to cultivate jobs and build meaningful economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana - LED is modernizing its organizational structure to operate at the highest levels, proactively and comprehensively supporting the state’s existing business ecosystem, and aggressively competing to attract new ones.Company DescriptionWith a mission to cultivate jobs and build meaningful economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana - LED is modernizing its organizational structure to operate at the highest levels, proactively and comprehensively supporting the state’s existing business ecosystem, and aggressively competing to attract new ones.