Manufacturing Program Manager – Pharmaceutical / Biotech

Manufacturing Program Manager – Pharmaceutical / Biotech
Location: Worcester, MA
Work Schedule: Hybrid – Onsite Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (minimum)
Contract Duration: 18–24 Months
Industry: Pharmaceutical / Biotechnology / Medical Devices


$94-$98/hr based on benefit selection
 
Position Overview
Orion Group is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Program Manager to lead complex, global manufacturing programs within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. This highly visible role will oversee cross-functional initiatives involving drug product fill/finish, medical device manufacturing, and drug-device combination product assembly, labeling, packaging, testing, and commercialization.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing, extensive global program management experience, and demonstrated success leading product industrialization, qualification, and technology transfers from development into commercial manufacturing operations.

This position requires a strategic, hands-on leader who can translate business objectives into actionable execution plans, manage complex timelines and competing priorities, and collaborate effectively with global Manufacturing, Engineering, Science & Technology, Supply Chain, Quality, and Regulatory teams.

Key Responsibilities

Global Program & Project Management

• Lead large-scale, global manufacturing programs spanning multiple manufacturing, testing, storage, and distribution locations.
• Develop comprehensive program charters, execution strategies, project plans, milestones, timelines, resource allocations, and deliverables.
• Establish program governance structures, work breakdown structures (WBS), RACI matrices, integrated project schedules, and stakeholder communication plans.
• Manage multiple competing priorities while ensuring programs remain aligned with business objectives, budgets, and timelines.
• Facilitate global cross-functional meetings, document key decisions and action items, and ensure accountability for deliverables.

Manufacturing Industrialization & Product Transfers

• Lead programs supporting the industrialization and qualification of drug product fill/finish, medical device manufacturing, and combination product assembly, labeling, and packaging operations.
• Coordinate product and design transfers from development into manufacturing and commercial operations.
• Support manufacturing readiness, regulatory submission activities, product launches, and commercial supply planning.
• Partner with technical and operational teams to resolve complex manufacturing, engineering, scientific, and analytical challenges.
• Coordinate material demand planning, sourcing, allocation, and distribution across global manufacturing networks.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a central point of coordination across Manufacturing, Engineering, Science & Technology, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and other business functions.
• Communicate program strategies, progress, risks, milestones, and deliverables to senior leadership and global stakeholders.
• Drive alignment across geographically dispersed teams and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Proactively identify project barriers, facilitate issue resolution, and implement risk mitigation and contingency plans.
• Promote collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational efficiency across global programs.

Financial & Risk Management

• Manage program budgets and financial plans, monitor expenditures, and address financial variances.
• Identify opportunities to accelerate execution, improve operational efficiency, and reduce or avoid costs.
• Maintain comprehensive risk registers, contingency plans, and program performance reporting.
• Ensure appropriate technical and financial program closeout and transition of ongoing responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent qualifications.
• 10+ years of combined professional experience in manufacturing, engineering, science and technology, or technical operations within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device industry.
• 5+ years of global program and/or project management experience, managing complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• 5+ years of experience working within a drug product fill/finish, medical device manufacturing, or combination product packaging plant environment.
• Demonstrated experience with industrialization and qualification of drug product fill/finish, device manufacturing, and combination product assembly, labeling, or packaging operations.
• Proven experience leading or supporting product transfers from development into manufacturing operations.
• Strong experience developing program charters, execution strategies, Gantt charts, milestone plans, work breakdown structures, RACI matrices, risk registers, and material demand and supply plans.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, MS Project, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Exceptional program management, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to facilitate cross-functional problem-solving and resolve complex technical, operational, and business challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to lead global teams, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively with senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or comparable program management certification.
• Experience with quality management systems, design controls, product labeling, and regulatory submission processes.
• Knowledge of global regulatory requirements and commercialization pathways for medical devices and combination products.
• Experience supporting product launches, commercial manufacturing readiness, and supply chain operations.
• Strong financial management capabilities and business acumen.
• Experience using Power BI, Smartsheet, or AI-enabled productivity tools.
• Multilingual communication skills.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be an experienced pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device manufacturing professional who combines technical expertise with strong global program leadership.
They will have a proven track record managing complex manufacturing initiatives, coordinating product transfers, supporting industrialization and qualification activities, and driving programs from development through commercial readiness.
This individual must be proactive, highly organized, comfortable navigating technical complexity, and capable of influencing cross-functional stakeholders at all levels of an organization.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-impact global manufacturing programs within a leading biopharmaceutical organization.


People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.