NTT DATA's Client is seeking a Portfolio Manager - MES & Digital Manufacturing Experience: 12+ Years Location: Remote/Hybrid (Travel as Required) Project Overview
NTT DATA's Client is seeking an experienced Portfolio Manager to lead a portfolio of strategic Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Digital Manufacturing initiatives within the Life Sciences industry. This role is responsible for managing multiple programs and projects across manufacturing sites, ensuring successful delivery of digital transformation initiatives that improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in pharmaceutical or life sciences manufacturing, digital manufacturing technologies, MES implementations, and enterprise program management. This role requires close collaboration with business stakeholders, manufacturing operations, quality, IT, validation, and external implementation partners to deliver scalable and compliant manufacturing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management
• Manage and govern a portfolio of MES and Digital Manufacturing programs across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Define portfolio strategy, roadmap, priorities, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Monitor portfolio health, delivery milestones, risks, dependencies, and financial performance.
• Establish governance frameworks, executive reporting, and KPI dashboards.
• Ensure alignment of manufacturing digital initiatives with organizational business objectives.
• Program & Project Leadership
• Lead cross-functional teams responsible for MES implementation, upgrades, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects from planning through deployment and hypercare.
• Drive project planning, scheduling, budgeting, vendor management, and executive communications.
• Resolve cross-program risks, issues, and resource conflicts.
• Business & Stakeholder Management
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Validation, and IT leadership.
• Facilitate executive steering committee meetings and provide regular portfolio status updates.
• Build strong relationships with site leadership and global business stakeholders.
• Drive organizational change management and user adoption initiatives.
• Digital Manufacturing Leadership
• Lead initiatives involving Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM), and Smart Manufacturing.
• Support manufacturing digitalization initiatives including automation, paperless manufacturing, electronic batch records, manufacturing analytics, and Industry 4.0 capabilities.
• Promote standardization and harmonization of manufacturing processes across global sites.
• Compliance & Quality

Ensure solutions comply with Life Sciences regulatory requirements including:

• GxP
• FDA 21 CFR Part 11
• EU Annex 11
• GAMP 5
• Computer Software Assurance (CSA)
• Support validation planning and ensure regulatory readiness for manufacturing systems.

Financial & Vendor Management

• Manage portfolio budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting.
• Oversee system integrators, implementation partners, and software vendors.
• Track value realization and return on investment (ROI) across manufacturing initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of IT and Digital Transformation experience.
• 5+ years managing enterprise portfolios or large programs focused on MES and Digital Manufacturing.
• 5+ years of proven experience delivering multiple global manufacturing technology initiatives.
• 5+ years of strong experience within the Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, or Medical Devices industry.
• 5+ years of experience managing global cross-functional teams and complex stakeholder environments.

Required Technical & Functional Expertise

• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Digital Manufacturing & Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM)
• Smart Manufacturing / Industry 4.0
• Electronic Batch Records (EBR)
• Manufacturing Process Digitalization
• Manufacturing Systems Integration
• Program & Portfolio Management
• Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies
• Vendor & Budget Management
• Executive Stakeholder Management
• Risk and Governance Management

Preferred Experience
Experience with one or more of the following platforms:

• Werum Client-X
• Rockwell PharmaSuite
• Siemens Opcenter Execution Pharma
• Emerson Syncade
• Korber Client-X
• SAP Manufacturing Integration & Intelligence (SAP MII)
• SAP Digital Manufacturing
• Aveva Manufacturing Execution Systems
• Preferred Certifications
• PMP or PgMP
• PMI Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
• SAFe Program Consultant (SPC) or SAFe Agilist
• ITIL Foundation
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Key Skills

• Portfolio Management
• Program Management
• MES
• Digital Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM)
• Life Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• GxP
• FDA 21 CFR Part 11
• GAMP 5
• CSA
• Electronic Batch Records (EBR)
• Industry 4.0
• Smart Manufacturing
• Executive Stakeholder Management
• Budget & Financial Management
• Risk & Governance
• Vendor Management
• Agile Delivery
• Manufacturing Digital Transformation

NTT DATA provides a reasonable range of compensation for Canada-based positions. The starting pay range for this role is $80.00 - $100.00/Hour CAD. Actual compensation will depend on a number of factors, including the candidate's relevant experience, technical skills, and other qualifications.

This position is eligible for NTT DATA's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Discount Perks.