Senior Manager, Project Management

Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Inc. • Grand Rapids, MI

5h • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Project Management leads and develops Project Managers responsible for external technology transfer projects and/or commercial accounts and projects. The role ensures Project Managers and project teams meet client schedules, manage risks, and achieve project goals. It serves as a liaison and direct contact for senior leadership at client organizations, builds and maintains client relationships, advocates for both clients and GRAM, and manages escalations. The Senior Manager prepares and conducts governance and business review meetings and supports training and professional development for Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and Associate Project Managers.

The role oversees the use of project management tools for scheduling, risk management, responsibility assignment, action-item and critical-path tracking, and day-to-day management of project and client relationships. It reviews project work orders and change orders and ensures invoice milestones are completed in a timely manner. The position works with internal departments to address late tasks and risks, communicates project information to sponsors and customers, manages customer expectations, and seeks opportunities to improve customer satisfaction and relationships.

This is a fully onsite position. The schedule must be flexible to host customers onsite, and the role participates in new or prospective client visits.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Biochemistry, another Life Science, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of related work experience in Pharma, Biotech, Life Sciences, or a similarly regulated industry.
• Proficiency in project management software.
• Training or education in project management, or equivalent knowledge and experience.
• Knowledge of project management techniques and tools.
• Experience in risk management.
• Experience in a pharmaceutical environment.
• Regulatory knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing, including GMPs, change control, risk management, and quality by design.

Nice To Haves

• Direct project management experience, specifically with technology transfer of products into a sterile manufacturing facility.
• Demonstrated leadership managing people.
• PMP certification is desired.
• Strong understanding of drug product development and sterile product manufacturing, including liquid vials, lyophilized vials, prefilled syringes, and cartridges.
• Experience developing and managing change controls for transfer of new products into a manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities

• Lead oversight and consistent implementation and use of tools for planning and implementing customer projects.
• Act as a liaison between client senior leadership and GRAM project managers and leadership.
• Manage Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and Associate Project Managers, including task delegation and planning, performance management, and professional development.
• Manage global customer relationships and programs, including key account management.
• Serve as a liaison for the Project Management team in evaluating new business opportunities.
• Facilitate training and consistent use of tools for defining project scope, milestones, risks, goals, and deliverables, including change controls, tech transfer plans, and templated project management tools.
• Work with internal GRAM departments to ensure late tasks, risks, and other escalations are addressed appropriately across area management.
• Hold regular status meetings with Project Managers to facilitate project progress.
• Minimize GRAM’s exposure and risk on projects.
• Communicate relevant project information to sponsors.
• Deliver engaging, informative, well-organized presentations.
• Resolve or escalate issues in a timely fashion.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and make constructive suggestions for change.
• Set and manage customer expectations.
• Communicate with customers to identify needs and evaluate alternative business solutions.
• Track invoice milestones.
• Seek opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and deepen customer relationships.
• Flex the schedule to host customers onsite.
• Participate in new or prospective client visits.
• Review project work orders and change orders and ensure invoice milestones are completed in a timely fashion.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits available from the first day of work, with the company paying a portion of the cost.
• 401(k) contributions are immediately 100% vested once eligible, including both employee and GRAM contributions.
• Off-shift premiums.
• 16 hours of paid volunteer time per calendar year, starting on the first day.
• Paid time off for full-time employees, accruing up to 104 hours per calendar year and prorated during the first year.
• Wellness time off accruing at one hour for every 30 hours worked.
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year, with immediate eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior