Senior Project Manager - Contract Research and Product Development

NSF•Traverse City, MI

16h

About The Position

NSF is seeking a Senior Project Manager - Contract Research and Product Development leads contracted R&D projects from contract development through execution and delivery. This role serves as the central point of accountability for translating client objectives into compliant, clearly defined project scopes and ensuring high-quality, on-time delivery. The Project Manager partners closely with clients and internal experts to manage complex research and product development work, develop proposals & statements of work, and uphold regulatory, quality, and operational standards. Success in this role is driven by scientific rigor, strong client relationships, and disciplined project execution.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Biology, or related field).
3-7 years of experience in scientific project management, client services, business development, or analytical laboratory operations.
Experience supporting scientific testing, certification, product development, or regulatory compliance programs.
Proven ability to translate technical content into clear business value and client recommendations.
Strong project management skills with the ability to independently manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Excellent communication, writing, and client relationship-building skills.
Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate scientific information with credibility.
High adaptability, collaborative working style, and problem-solving orientation.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Willingness to travel to client sites or industry events as needed.
Scientific & Technical Acumen (preferably within the food, beverage, dietary supplements industries)
Project Planning & Execution
Client Relationship Management
Strategic Thinking
Commercial Awareness
Communication & Influence
Problem Solving & Innovation
Adaptability & Resilience

Responsibilities

Scientific Project Management Lead the end-to-end execution of research and product development projects, including scope definition, timelines, milestones, resource coordination, and deliverables.
Serve as the central point of accountability for project performance, ensuring deliverables meet scientific rigor, client expectations are met, and internal operational standards are efficient and adhered to.
Facilitate communication amongst cross-functional teams of experts, including Research and Product Development Scientists, Analytical scientists, operations personnel, quality managers, and technicians, to ensure alignment of scientific capabilities with project scope.
Track project progress, resolve issues proactively, and communicate updates to stakeholders and clients.
Support continuous improvement by identifying process bottlenecks, risks, and efficiency opportunities within project workflows.
Client Partnership & Relationship Management Act as the primary point of contact for clients engaging in specialized services, ensuring a seamless, transparent, and high-quality experience throughout project execution.
Develop a deep understanding of client goals and needs and track project outcomes to inform service optimization.
Educate and support clients as they interpret scientific data and make recommendations for continued services.
Foster long-term client trust by delivering reliable service, anticipating needs, and providing thoughtful, science-driven insights derived from cross-discipline experts within the company.
Contract Development Serve as the author of proposals, SoWs and Contracts, ensuring project scope, methodologies, and deliverables are technically accurate and clearly defined.
Develop and document scientific research, strategies, justifications, and technical approaches aligned with client objectives.
Ensure all contracted work adheres to applicable regulatory requirements, quality standards, and internal scientific policies.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop contracts for specialized scientific services.
Align pricing with scientific effort, resource requirements, and operational complexity.
Ensure contract terms accurately reflect project timelines, responsibilities, and service expectations.
Enable smooth transitions from contract execution to project delivery through clear documentation and cross-functional alignment.