Project Leader

Hardt is a food-service equipment manufacturer located in the west-end of Montreal. This long-established, privately-owned organization has been consistently profitable and is planning for future growth. The Organization’s values are reflected in its operating principles: communicate actively; voice and seek to resolve concerns; work cooperatively and respectfully and strive for improvements continuously.

Hardt provides solutions to the supermarket and warehouse club industry and is the exclusive supplier of rotisseries and heated display cases to over 90% of the warehouse clubs in the US. The Company is actively customer-driven as indicated by its mission to provide “Responsive, Reliable Solutions.” Hardt is presently seeking a:

Project Leader

ROLE

The Project Leader (PM Leader) is responsible for driving and coordinating New Product Development and Product Line Extension projects across the Engineering & Development (E&D) organization and its cross‑functional stakeholders. In the current E&D structure, the Project Leader is the driver for assigned projects, ensuring execution from intake through closure, while working within defined governance, phase‑gate, and decision‑making frameworks. The role combines project leadership, technical coordination, and delivery accountability, while relying on discipline Leads and Specialists (Mechanical, Electrical/Software, Lab & Validation, Technical Writing) for detailed design and execution ownership. The Project Leader (PM Leader) is a member of the Engineering & Development department and reports to the Project Management Supervisor.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

Project Leadership & Governance

• Is the Project Driver for assigned New Product or Product Line Extension projects, from request intake to project closure.
• Lead project initiation and planning, including scope definition, deliverables, high‑level costing, timeline, resource needs, risks, and communication strategy, in alignment with the NPI and PMP processes.
• Plan, maintain, and communicate integrated project schedules, tracking milestones, dependencies, risks, and mitigation actions.
• Coordinate and prepare phase‑gate reviews (M0–M5), ensuring readiness of technical deliverables, test evidence, and decision inputs.
• Ensure compliance with established E&D core processes, including documentation, change control, and artefact management.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives related to project execution, product reliability, and development efficiency.

Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Coordinate activities across Product Management, Engineering, R&D Lab & Product Validation, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Service.
• Facilitate weekly or milestone‑based project meetings, driving decisions, action closure, and escalation when required.
• Ensure alignment between product requirements, technical solutions, testing plans, certification needs, and manufacturing readiness.

Technical Oversight (Coordination Level)

• Maintain a system‑level understanding of assigned products to support informed decision‑making and prioritization.
• Coordinate design activities led by Mechanical, Electrical/Software, and UX teams; ensure timely reviews and approvals.
• Participate in and coordinate design reviews, ensuring risks, manufacturability, serviceability, reliability, and cost are addressed.
• Support prototype builds, field trials, and pre‑production builds in collaboration with Engineering teams and the R&D Lab.

Note: The Project Leader does not replace discipline technical authority; detailed technical ownership remains with Engineering Leads and Specialists.

Testing, Validation & Certification Coordination

• Drive the creation and maintenance of the Project Master Test Plan, ensuring coverage of functional, performance, safety, sanitation, and certification requirements.
• Coordinate testing execution with the R&D Lab Manager, Product Validation team, and Engineering Leads.
• Ensure test results, deviations, and corrective actions are documented and resolved prior to phase‑gate approvals.
• Support coordination of third‑party certification activities (UL, CSA, CE, NSF) as applicable.

Documentation & Communication

• Ensure creation, review, and approval of required project deliverables (charters, schedules, reports, test plans, meeting minutes, lessons learned).
• Provide clear, concise status reporting to E&D leadership and stakeholders.
• Contribute to technical documentation reviews in collaboration with Technical Writers.
• Follow all CNESST and Hardt Health & Safety requirements, including proper use of PPE, safe handling of tools, and maintaining a hazard-free work area. Participate in mandatory safety training outlined in Hardt’s Safety Training Matrix.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

Reports to: Project Management Supervisor

Direct Reports: N/A

EDUCATION, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline.
• Licensed member in good standing with the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) strongly preferred; candidates actively pursuing membership may be considered.
• Valid Class 5 (Québec) or equivalent driver’s license.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

1.      Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of engineering project management experience leading a project team; specifically in product development and continuous improvement projects.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a manufacturing environment or in a mechanical engineering.

2.      Languages:

• Fluency in French (spoken and written) is mandatory.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and French is highly preferred, due to frequent interactions with suppliers and customers outside Québec.

3.      Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities, with the discipline to define scope, set timelines, and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, able to engage effectively with cross-functional teams, translate technical concepts clearly and lead meetings with various teams and Hardt management.
• Analytical and cost-conscious problem solver, balancing technical solutions with manufacturability, serviceability, and long-term reliability.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills, with knowledge of Lean, DFMEA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Solid understanding of electrical and mechanical systems, with the ability to troubleshoot with minimal guidance.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, 3D models, and manufacturing specifications.
• Strong technical writing skills for producing manuals, procedures, and training materials.
• High attention to detail when testing, documenting, or inspecting parts/products.
• Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks required; AutoCAD an asset).
• Familiarity with ERP systems (Epicor preferred) for BOMs, routings, and process documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Project).
• Light to moderate lifting (up to 25 lbs) of tools, prototypes, or components as required during testing or validation.
• Knowledge of certification standards (UL, CSA, NSF) considered an asset.

WORKING ARRANGEMENT & TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS

• Typical schedule: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week, occasional overtime.
• Primary Work Location: 1400, 50e Avenue, Lachine, Québec, H8T 2V3. OR
• Hybrid (Privilege): This role is based on a 3 full days in-office and 2 days from home schedule. The ability to work remotely is offered as a company-provided benefit to support work–life balance; however, this benefit is not guaranteed and may be modified or withdrawn at the company’s discretion based on business needs.
• Travel Requirement : 5%.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• Complete benefits package offered: health care, dental care, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), long-term disability (LTD) insurance, all effective the first day of employment.
• Virtual healthcare (telemedicine).
• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) matching plan.
• Potential bonus (based on Company performance and individual performance).
• Employee Referral Program.
• Three (3) paid weeks vacation per year, plus one (1) week at Christmas.
• Five (5) paid discretionary days per year.

Qualified candidates can apply by sending their resume to: with the mention of the job title in the subject line.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Hardt endorses an Equal Employment Opportunity Program and invites women, members of visible and ethnic minorities, Aboriginal people and persons with disabilities to apply. The masculine gender is used solely for the purpose of shortening the text.