Title:  Program Manager, R&D, Component Systems (m/f/d)

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?  

There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.  

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.  

Job Summary:

The Program Manager - R&D has responsibility for the delivery and execution of West’s Research and Development Programs for Component and Containment Systems projects globally. Responsibilities and accountabilities of this role include, (but not limited to), working with multiple global functions to ensure the execution of R&D product development products with global large scale and impacting programs remain on schedule, scope is managed, and quality is delivered.

The role is responsible & accountable for:

• Delivering programs and projects with a work stream team, including identifying, collaborating on and leading cross-program / project dependencies with an emphasis on critical items, risks, and issues management.
• Identifying, engaging and collaborating with key stakeholders quickly and early in all relevant processes and decisions, relating to successful program and project delivery.

Essential Duties:

Definitions:

• Manage(s): Responsible for the activities relating to the planning & scheduling, organizing and administration of project requirements and work stream leads.
• Leads(s): Fulfills the activities relating to the directing, supporting, delegating and coaching of team members and associates to reach the required objectives.

• Essential Duties as Program Manager:
• • Manage and lead multiple global programs for the R&D Component and Containment Systems Project Portfolio with high resource requirements, risk, and high complexity for strategic products and platforms with significant mid to long term business impact for West.
  • Manages R&D programs to ensure they are defined / planned, monitored and controlled and coordinated appropriately to support the overall program / West objectives, including but not limited to:
  • Leads / drives, the key program business team functions for the development of business cases on assigned programs.
  • Leads / drives program schedules for all assigned programs, ensuring they are defined, tracked and controlled / managed utilizing appropriate resources, i.e. DevOps, Project Scheduling tools, etc.
  • Monitors and controls program cross-functional resource needs and issues, working closely with resource managers to develop action plans to ensure program commitments remain on track and escalate as required.
  • Manages cross-project / program dependencies, reporting out to and escalating to the Snr. Program Manager and Program Governance Steering Committee.
  • Lead, cultivate and maintain strong collaborative relationships with business partners, functional managers, etc., to support the programs as required.
  • Manages the solution of complex problems within programs and teams and escalating high impacting risks and issues as required.
  • Leads defined / agreed change management and communications activities that support assigned programs.
  • Leads the adherence of assigned programs to the Product Development Process for R&D Projects.
  • Actively works with the Snr Program Manager to successfully ensure a consistent delivery for all projects globally.
  • Manages the project / program teams to ensure all program related data to support the requirements of West is maintained.
• Support of the R&D process and methodologies:
  • Supports development & improvement of Project Management Best Practices (process, tools, and training), i.e. Azure DevOps, West R&D PDP., etc.
  • Supports the communication of R&D Component Systems key messages, goals, and objectives to functional team members in their local geographies or business units.
  • Supports the development and implementation of instruction and training for West team members at all levels of the PDP and project delivery methodologies.

Education and Experience:

Basic Qualification / Experience

• Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent / appropriate experience
• Desirable: Master’s degree or equivalent / appropriate experience
• PMP Certification or equivalent / appropriate experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Global, Multi Discipled complex projects, program and portfolio management.
• Track record of successfully managing global large-scale, high-risk programs.
• Global Program Management experience with large matrix and cross-function organization project teams.
• Experienced in coaching teams in traditional and agile PM methods.
• Experience and capability at delivering written and verbal reports to senior and executive management (CEO, CFO, CIO, other functional SVPs and their direct reports).

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite and project management software such as MS Project and Azure DevOps.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of GMP requirements and demonstrated experience managing projects or programs in the medical device and pharma manufacturing industries.
• Experience in Medical Materials and GMP production required.
• Requires specialized depth and breadth of expertise in industry and Program Management.
• Has the ability to work independently, without guidance.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple globally dispersed individuals and disciplines.
• Must possess the ability to influence others without direct authority.
• Cultivates teamwork through leadership and identifies / manages knowledge / skill gaps on project teams as needed.
• Complements team deficiencies and drive financial accountability as required.
• Communicates complex concepts; anticipates potential objections and influences others to adopt a different point of view.
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services.
• Drives transparency of program workloads, financial, commitments, and expectations.

Quality and Safety Standards:

• Support and contribute to Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target
• According to the principles of health and safety at work (substantiated by the Safety Leadership Statement), the job holder is aware of his/her responsibility regarding work safety and always acts accordingly.
• Able to comply with the company’s quality policy at all times.
  • The job holder is aware of his/her special responsibility for quality according to the company’s quality policy and conducts his/her activities in accordance with the company quality policy at all times.
  • The job holder respects all specifications arising from the cGMP requirements and from the specifications DIN ISO 15378, DIN EN ISO 9001 and DIN ISO 50.001 as per its current state and as it applies to any future amendments. Support and contribute to Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target.

Physical and Travel Requirements

• Up to 25% domestic and international travel

West embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We foster an environment where all individuals are safe, treated fairly, valued and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Where permitted by law, employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of post-offer background screening and/or drug screening.