PRIMARY PURPOSE:The Project Manager III is a senior-level project management professional responsible for leading the organization's most complex, high-value, and strategic customer programs from initiation through commercial execution. This position provides leadership across multiple cross-functional teams, drives portfolio execution, manages key customer relationships, and serves as a subject matter expert in project management methodologies.
The Project Manager III plays a critical role in advancing the Project Management Office (PMO), improving organizational project management standards, mentoring project managers, and ensuring successful execution of projects that support Formulated Solutions' strategic business objectives.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Strategic Project Leadership- Lead multiple complex, high-risk, and strategic customer projects simultaneously.
- Direct projects through all phases including business development transition, development, validation, commercialization, technology transfer, and lifecycle management.
- Develop comprehensive project strategies that align customer expectations with Formulated Solutions' operational capabilities.
- Serve as executive-level project leader for key strategic customer accounts.
- Anticipate project challenges and proactively implement mitigation strategies.
- Ensure project objectives are achieved while balancing scope, schedule, quality, budget, and customer satisfaction.
Portfolio Management- Manage a portfolio of projects with significant business impact.
- Prioritize competing business initiatives based on organizational objectives.
- Identify portfolio-level risks, resource constraints, and scheduling conflicts.
- Develop recommendations for executive leadership regarding project prioritization and resource allocation.
- Monitor project health through established KPIs and portfolio metrics.
Relationship Management- Serve as the primary strategic liaison for assigned customers.
- Build trusted partnerships with customer leadership teams.
- Lead executive-level project reviews and governance meetings.
- Manage customer expectations while balancing operational capabilities.
- Support business development efforts by participating in customer visits, technical discussions, proposal reviews, and commercial strategy meetings.
- Identify opportunities for account growth and expansion.
Cross-Functional Leadership- Lead multidisciplinary teams including:
- Research & Development
- Analytical Sciences
- Quality Assurance
- Regulatory Affairs
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Supply Chain
- Procurement
- Finance
- Business Development
- Influence without direct authority to drive accountability and project success.
- Facilitate resolution of cross-functional conflicts.
- Remove barriers affecting project execution.
Risk Management- Identify strategic and operational project risks.
- Develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies.
- Escalate significant risks to executive leadership as appropriate.
- Monitor regulatory, supply chain, technical, and commercial risks throughout project lifecycles.
Financial Management- Monitor project financial performance.
- Ensure customer fee-for-service milestones are completed, documented, invoiced, and collected according to contractual agreements.
- Partner with Finance to monitor project profitability.
- Assist with forecasting project revenues and resource requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve project financial performance.
Governance and Reporting- Prepare executive-level dashboards and portfolio reports.
- Present project status, financial performance, risks, and mitigation plans to senior leadership.
- Lead internal governance meetings and customer steering committee meetings.
- Ensure project documentation meets company quality standards.
Organizational Leadership- Participate in strategic planning initiatives.
- Support departmental planning, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
- Assist leadership with organizational change initiatives.
- Recommend improvements that increase operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Additional Responsibilities- Represent Formulated Solutions during customer audits, technical meetings, and regulatory interactions as needed.
- Participate in special projects and strategic initiatives.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:Required- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, or related discipline.
- Minimum 10+ years of progressive project management experience.
- Minimum 5 years managing complex technical projects within pharmaceutical, OTC, medical device, cosmetic, or CDMO manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent projects exceeding $5M in combined portfolio value.
- 5+ years of Clinical Pharmaceutical/RX Project Management Experience
Preferred- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
- Experience within FDA-regulated manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of cGMP regulations.
- Experience with Stage-Gate product development processes.
- Experience with technology transfer and commercialization projects.
- Experience implementing PMO standards and governance.
CRITICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:- Executive-level communication
- Strategic planning
- Portfolio management
- Financial acumen
- Customer relationship management
- Risk management
- Negotiation and influence
- Organizational leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Decision making under ambiguity
- Cross-functional leadership
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Change management
- Critical thinking
- Business acumen
- Coaching and mentoring
- Excellent presentation skills
- Strong analytical abilities
COMPUTER SKILLS:- Microsoft Office products (Excel, Outlook, Project, Word, OneNote)
Technical Skills and Experience- Pharmaceutical product development lifecycle
- OTC and cosmetic product development
- FDA regulations
- cGMP manufacturing
- Technology transfer
- Process validation
- Analytical testing
- Manufacturing operations
- Supply chain management
- Risk management methodologies
- Project portfolio management
- Engineering and laboratory technical comprehension
Education and/or Training
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field.
- PMP Certification strongly preferred.
- Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.
- Advanced project management or leadership training preferred.
