Project Manager - CDMO DS

Job Description: Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager

Reports To: Head - PM

Job Purpose : To execute projects on time for the assigned Project Execution Team (PET) strictly adhering to defined systems and compliance standards. The primary objective is to ensure end-to-end project delivery within the defined scope, meeting all time, cost, and quality specifications.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Initiation & Strategy

• Proposal Management: Collaborate with the Marketing and Business Development teams to accumulate proposal details (RFP/RFI), understand the business case, and define project objectives.
• Charter & Scope: Conduct kick-off meetings with stakeholders to agree on scope and deliverables. Develop a detailed Project Charter capturing scope, timelines, budget, and risk mitigation plans.
• Approvals: Setup the Project Office, review the project feasibility, and gain necessary approvals to commence the next phase.

2. Detailed Project Planning

• Resource & Financial Planning: Create a detailed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Identify required resources (Manpower, Equipment, Materials) and manage the financial expenditure plan (R&D, Analytical, Manufacturing, and overhead costs).
• Risk & Quality Planning: Identify risks across all activities and prepare a robust mitigation plan. Set quality targets and ensure Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) plans are aligned with customer agreements.
• Operational Planning: Coordinate with the planning team for facility mapping, resolving facility clashes, and managing raw material procurement (PR/PO) with SCM.

3. Project Execution, Monitoring & Control

• Timeline & Cost Tracking: rigorous monitoring of the Gantt chart against the base plan. Monitor Budget vs. Expenses at every milestone to detect and prevent cost variance.
• Execution Management: Ensure project activities (Lab and Plant) are performed as per plan. Conduct Daily LDM (Lean Daily Management) meetings and weekly "Gemba walks" with higher managers to regulate progress.
• Change Management: Identify proposed changes, seek authorization, and ensure the implementation of CAPA for approved changes.
• Communication: Act as the central point of contact. Conduct weekly internal PET meetings and fortnight project review meetings (PRM). Provide weekly updates and minutes to customers.

4. Project Closure & Archival

• Deliverables: Lead the PET to complete all deliverables, including development reports, sample dispatch, and product dispatches.
• Financial Reconciliation: Conduct project closures capturing inputs and variances (cost, schedule, quality). Analyze costing models and profitability.
• Lessons Learned: Archive project documents, list lessons learned, and dismantle the project team upon completion.

5. Customer & Audit Management

• Key Account Support: Support Key Account Managers (KAMs) to leverage team expertise and identify new project opportunities from existing accounts.
• Audits: Coordinate customer audits and visits. Prepare minutes, circulate observations to Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs), and ensure the closure of all observations.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

• Post Graduate in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / MBA.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of total experience.
• Prior experience in Project Management within the Pharmaceutical/CDMO industry is highly preferred.
• Strong exposure to customer interactions and interface management.

Technical Knowledge:

• Basic understanding of the CDMO DS Business
• Strong knowledge of Project Management (PM) concepts.
• Knowledge of technical concepts (Chemistry/Manufacturing) and risk mitigation.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Performance Orientation: Ability to drive results within a matrix environment (PET).
• Business Acumen: Understanding of budgeting, costing, and decision-making.
• Communication: Excellent influencing skills to manage internal cross-functional teams and external customers.
• Problem Solving: Commitment to innovation and "First Time Right" accomplishment of tasks.