Position Summary
The Associate Director of Project Services is responsible for leading and executing the successful launch of new products, process improvements and technology transfers, with a strong emphasis on project management and risk mitigation. This role manages both Project Managers and a technical team, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to required quality standards. This position acts as the primary interface between cross-functional teams and Outside Sales for launch execution, overseeing risk analysis, line trials, and initial production activities.
The Associate Director of Project Services heads cross-functional meetings between R&I, Quality, Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Outside Sales. They are responsible for development of OKRs that drive performance and evaluation based on those metrics.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties
- Ensure the safe and consistent execution of launches.
- Lead the Project Services team, including Project Managers and technical specialists, to drive successful project execution for new product launches and technology transfers.
- Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of projects from approval through commercialization, ensuring alignment with customer timelines and company objectives.
- Develop and implement robust risk assessments for product launches, identifying technical and operational risks and mitigation plans.
- Manage and oversee execution of line trials, ensuring successful scale-up to production, and resolve technical issues that may arise during trials.
- Oversee Packaging Engineering activities related to line trials, tooling, speed, yields, and clean setups for first production runs.
- Collaborate with R&I, Quality, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure cohesive execution of projects and alignment of technical and operational requirements.
- Maintain and track OKRs for project timelines, launch performance, and team effectiveness.
- Support coding and documentation processes for components, raw materials, bills of materials (BOMs), finished goods specifications, and assembly procedures.
- Promote continuous improvement in project execution processes, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and reduce time-to-market.
- Develop and manage departmental budgets for the department.
- Coach, mentor, and develop the Project Services team to build a high-performing, collaborative group.
- Establish strict timelines and assign deadlines to all activities included in taking an approved lab batch from lab-scale all the way to commercialization.
- Analyze risk and create risk assessments related to product launch feasibility, timing, and technical requirements.
- Maintain reliable and safe manufacturing systems while improving production rates, efficiencies, yields, costs, and changeovers.
- Collaborate with Sales to ensure communication with customers.
Technical Skills Required
- Comprehensive understanding of product development, product launch and product supply chains.
- Strong understanding of Quality systems and requirements for ensuring product quality.
- Strong understanding of stability and compatibility protocols.
- Advanced knowledge of production equipment and associated batching and filling capabilities.
- Strong knowledge of packaging materials, components, and testing methodologies.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) skills.
Experience Required
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 7+ years of experience in a cGMP personal care or cosmetic facility, preferably in contract manufacturing.
- Experience should include roles in developing, deploying, and managing production processes and applications, specifically in packaging or processing.
- Experience working with ERP or LIMS systems, preferably SAGE X3.
- 5+ years of experience managing direct reports.
- Experience managing cross-functional teams.
Physical Requirements
- Regularly sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
- Ability to sit, balance, climb, stand, bend, squat, squeeze, kneel, turn, crouch, stoop repeatedly.
- Physically able to lift 50 pounds periodically.
- Frequent exposure to varying temperatures, loud noises, heavy machinery, fumes, airborne particles, electrical, chemicals, and moving parts.
- Frequent use of computer screen and headphones.