Lighting Project Manager

The Lighting Project Manager sits at the intersection of technical product expertise and customer execution. Lighting is one of the most specification-driven, complexity-heavy categories in our portfolio — and customers turn to us for it because they trust us to get it right, on time, without handholding.

This is not a transactional order desk role. You own the project lifecycle for lighting from initial quote through delivery, managing vendor relationships, tracking submittals, resolving substitutions, and keeping every stakeholder aligned. You are the reason a job site does not stall waiting on fixtures — and the reason a contractor calls Shepherd before anyone else the next time.

You will work closely with the outside sales team, product specialists, purchasing, and directly with customers. The work requires technical depth, timeline ownership, and the kind of proactive communication that keeps surprises from becoming problems.

How This Role Connects to Our Compass

We Keep Our Promises

You own the project schedule and customer commitments. If a lead time shifts, a submittal gets rejected, or a delivery is at risk — you know before the customer does and you have already started solving it. Your reliability is what earns the next project.

We Stay Hungry

Lighting specs change constantly — manufacturers, controls, codes, sustainability requirements. You stay current. You bring product knowledge that helps customers make better decisions, and you proactively identify better solutions before they ask.

We Grow Together

You work across sales, purchasing, and project teams — and you treat those handoffs as shared accountability, not as someone else's problem. Your project wins are team wins, and you help others get better at lighting along the way.

We Own It

When a project goes sideways — wrong fixture, missed submittal window, back-ordered component — you do not wait for someone else to intervene. You surface it early, own the recovery, and document what to do differently next time.

We Go Above & Beyond

You anticipate the follow-up before it is asked. You flag the long-lead item before it becomes a delay. You notice that the spec has a problem, and you tell the customer before they find it on the job site. That is what separates a great lighting PM from an order processor.

Organized by what matters, not just what you do.

Project Ownership & Execution

• Own the full lifecycle of lighting projects — from quote review and submittal through procurement, tracking, and delivery — with clear documentation at each stage
• Coordinate with customers, specifying engineers, and vendors to ensure submittal packages are complete, accurate, and approved on time
• Track long-lead items and flag risks to the sales team and customer before they become schedule problems
• Manage order releases, phased deliveries, and job site staging requirements with attention to sequencing and site readiness
• Maintain organized, accessible project files so anyone on the team can pick up where you left off without asking you where things are

Customer Relationship Management

• Build and maintain direct relationships with contractors, lighting designers, and project owners — you are their go-to at Shepherd for lighting
• Anticipate customer needs and communicate proactively — status updates, lead time changes, substitution recommendations — before they ask
• Represent Shepherd's reliability in every interaction, especially when things do not go as planned
• Support outside sales by providing accurate, professional quotes and technical guidance that helps close businesses and retain customers

Product & Technical Expertise

• Develop and maintain deep knowledge of lighting product lines — fixtures, controls, drivers, emergency systems, and emerging technologies — to advise customers and identify better solutions
• Translate complex project specifications into accurate bill-of-materials and procurement plans, catching conflicts or omissions before they create field problems
• Identify cost-effective substitutions or alternatives when specified products are unavailable or long-lead, and obtain approval from the appropriate parties
• Stay current on lighting codes, energy standards, and manufacturer updates relevant to the Mid-Atlantic market

Vendor & Purchasing Coordination

• Maintain strong working relationships with lighting manufacturers and rep agencies to ensure priority service, accurate lead times, and access to technical support
• Coordinate with purchasing on stock availability, special orders, and blanket releases to support project timelines
• Communicate quality or delivery exceptions clearly and promptly — and follow through on resolution without needing to be chased

Process Improvement & Team Contribution

• Surface patterns in project failures — recurring errors, submittal rejections, late deliveries — and bring them forward with proposed solutions, not just complaints
• Contribute to team knowledge sharing: what you learn about a product, a manufacturer, or a project type should make the next PM's job easier
• Support continuous improvement in project management processes across Shepherd's branches and departments

After 90 days, you and your supervisor should both be able to point to these markers:

• Your active projects are organized and documented — no one needs to ask you for a status update because the information is accessible
• Customers are hearing from you before they have to follow up — proactive communication is the standard, not the exception
• Submittals are moving on time, approvals are tracked, and substitutions are handled without causing delays
• Long-lead items are flagged before they threaten the schedule, and the sales team trusts your tracking
• You have identified at least one area of process improvement in how Shepherd handles lighting projects and brought it forward
• Your vendor relationships are active — you know the reps, they know you, and you are getting what the project needs

This role is a strong fit if:

• You own the outcome, not just the task — you do not consider something done until the customer has what they need and knows it
• You are organized in a way that helps others, not just yourself — your documentation keeps the team moving
• You communicate proactively and directly — with customers, with sales, and internally — without waiting to be asked
• You are technically curious about lighting and willing to invest in becoming the person others turn to
• You treat specification problems, substitution requests, and submittal rejections as normal project management challenges — not as crises
• You build relationships with vendors and use them — you do not treat them as order fulfillment machines
• You want to work on complex, high-stakes projects where execution quality is visible and valued

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in business, engineering technology, or related field preferred
• 3–5 years of project management experience in electrical wholesale distribution, lighting, construction supply, or a related industry
• Demonstrated experience managing project timelines, submittals, and customer deliverables with minimal supervision
• Technical knowledge of lighting systems — fixtures, controls, drivers, and emergency systems — or a strong foundation and commitment to developing expertise quickly
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) and familiarity with ERP or project management systems; Eclipse experience a plus
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — written, verbal, and client-facing
• Ability to manage multiple active projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively under deadline pressure
• Self-motivated, results-focused, and comfortable working in a fast-moving team environment
• Electrical industry experience strongly preferred
• Ability to successfully complete pre-employment screening requirements

Work Shift and Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 4:00pm, in office

Compensation Details: The expected base salary for this position is starting at $70,000 annually depending on experience.

Why should you join Shepherd Electrical Supply?

Apply now and find out what’s next for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled

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