Project Manager

Furniture Project Manager

Custer creates exceptional workspaces that empower people to do their best work. Established in 1981, Custer now serves multiple territories reaching outside of West Michigan as a premier dealership of Steelcase furniture. Throughout four decades, our capabilities have expanded to offer interior solutions for small business, education, healthcare, and corporate clients. Custer designs and builds environments that maximize productivity and a sense of purpose, drawing on extensive research and established expertise. Providing full-service solutions including workplace strategy, design, integrated technology, commercial flooring, custom-tailored solutions and furniture, Custer delivers spaces that support a better way of working.

POSITION / TITLE : Furniture Project Manager Full-time Salary - Exempt

Custer is looking for a Project Manager to support our growing business needs. The Project Manager is a strategic role responsible for leading complex, multi-phase projects from inception through completion. This position plays a critical part in supporting Custer's success by managing all aspects of the project lifecycle, including defining project scope, developing detailed schedules, coordinating logistics, and ensuring final project execution meets or exceeds expectations.

The Project Manager oversees intricate installation plans, including multi-truck deliveries and extended project timelines. Responsibilities include participating in construction and PERM meetings, conducting pre-install site assessments, identifying site conditions, and coordinating with vendors, network dealers, and trade partners. This role also serves as the primary liaison between internal teams, clients, and external partners to ensure clear communication, timely updates, and alignment with project goals.

This position requires the ability to manage multiple projects at varying stages, proactively solve problems, and break down complex scopes into manageable tasks and timelines. The Project Manager is expected to demonstrate strong organizational skills, high attention to detail, and a continuous improvement mindset, while also supporting standard processes and proposing enhancements when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of the Project Management Process, ensuring alignment with project scope, goals, and objectives
• Develop and maintain complex project schedules, coordinating multiple activities, services, and trades over long-term installation periods (several weeks to months)
• Break down large, complex projects into manageable tasks and timelines to ensure seamless execution
• Attend and actively participate in construction meetings, ensuring alignment with project stakeholders
• Lead PERM meetings to coordinate pre-installation planning and execution strategies
• Conduct detailed pre-install site visits, assessing path of travel, truck clearance, staging areas, power locations, and building readiness for efficient installation
• Identify site conditions and potential issues, proposing solutions to both clients and trades to prevent project delays
• Effectively plan and manage multiple truck deliveries, sorting product for efficiency while creating a strategic installation plan
• Schedule and oversee multiple project phases and truck deliveries to ensure a seamless installation process
• Understand vendor manufacturing processes, lead times, and operational constraints, working within these systems to manage product deliveries and scheduling
• Work closely with SameDay and other storage providers to secure inventory storage solutions when necessary
• Coordinate with network dealers for inbound and outbound network orders to ensure product and logistics alignment
• Serve as the primary liaison between customers, internal teams, vendors, and trade partners, ensuring clear and effective communication
• Communicate scope changes and draft change orders to reflect project modifications and evolving client needs
• Collaborate with electrical and low-voltage vendors to align furniture requirements with project specifications
• Provide clients with regular updates on order status, product shipments, installation schedules, and punch list resolution
• Lead customer meetings, negotiating project details, managing expectations, and ensuring a high level of client satisfaction
• Oversee final punch walkthroughs with customers and lead installers, ensuring project completion and satisfaction
• Communicate candidly and objectively with stakeholders, ensuring transparency in project progress, challenges, and solutions
• Maintain appropriate turnaround times in responding to emails, vendor requests, and client inquiries
• Read and mark up floor plans using Bluebeam, providing clear documentation for project execution
• Develop and create project-related materials, including drawings for trades coordination and door signage in PowerPoint
• Utilize Hedberg, Webtracks, and other project tracking tools to manage project logistics efficiently
• Track time accurately using company approved time-tracking software and maintain an organized Outlook calendar accessible for team collaboration
• Follow established processes while being confident to suggest alternate solutions that improve efficiency and outcomes
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth, actively seeking new ways to improve project management effectiveness

Qualifications

Education / Experience / Other Requirements