Senior Research & Development Project Manager

Contec, Inc.•Spartanburg, SC

14h

About The Position

The Senior Research & Development (R&D) Project Manager leads complex, cross-functional innovation projects from concept through commercialization, driving impactful solutions across Contec’s diverse business units—including pharmaceutical, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and more. This role is responsible for orchestrating the full project lifecycle: strategic planning, resource alignment, execution, and evaluation. The Senior R&D Project Manager ensures projects deliver on technical, regulatory, and business objectives, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, creativity, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.) in a technical, scientific, or engineering discipline from a four-year college or university; seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive experience managing complex R&D projects in regulated industries (e.g., pharmaceutical, healthcare, automotive, aerospace); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage multiple high-priority projects, and deliver results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is required.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree (M.A., M.S.,) or Doctoral degree (PhD) in a related discipline is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in project management methodologies (PMP certification or equivalent experience) is also strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-impact R&D projects, from ideation to successful implementation and evaluation.
Manages a portfolio of projects involving new products, advanced processes, manufacturing, cleanroom, and other industrial environments.
Defines project scope, critical paths, milestones, and budgets; proactively manages risks, changes, and stakeholder expectations.
Serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, facilitating engagement and alignment across functions.
Develops and implements best-in-class project management systems and methodologies tailored for R&D.
Mentors and coaches less experienced project managers and team members, fostering talent development and knowledge sharing.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of global regulatory standards (e.g., EPA, FDA, TGA, ISO, REACH, WHMIS, GHS) and ensures projects, and all corresponding project documentation, comply with regulatory requirements.
Champions a culture of innovation, scientific excellence, and continuous improvement within the R&D organization.
Participates and works within ISO 9001 quality standards guidelines in accordance with Contec’s quality goals.
Others may be assigned.