Sr. Mgr R&D Applications & Master Data

DePuy Synthes is recruiting for a Sr. Mgr, R&D Applications & Master Data, located in Raynham, Massachusetts. 

Senior Manager — R&D Applications & Master Data

DePuy Synthes is hiring a Senior Manager to lead our global Research and Development (R&D) Applications & Master Data team. This role will manage a team of product managers responsible for partnering with business owner(s) to create technical solutions and architecture in line with global R&D business needs and master data requirements using Agile practices. They will own the governance, budget and technical harmonization of the base business R&D applications catalog and technical stack, drive the technology roadmap creation, and ensure scalable, compliant solutions. For large programs outside the base business budget and department decision rights you will partner with the Business Owner as they develop business cases for funding through the business planning process. This role enables medical device innovation by ensuring trusted, traceable R&D applications and master data that support product development, design controls, and lifecycle compliance from concept through post‑market.

Responsibilities:

• Own product-side governance and budget for R&D applications and data platforms where R&D is the primary owner including non-GxP business systems (i.e. Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Dashboards, Scorecards), GxP Laboratory systems (i.e. Laboratory Information Management (LIMS), Scientific Data Management (SDMS)), GxP Engineering Tools (i.e. CAD, Simulation, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Software Development Tools) and general infrastructure (i.e. cloud administration) .
  • Provide product ownership for R&D applications in line with business application roadmap, including configuration decisions, release prioritization, roadmap alignment, and user experience, while partnering with IT or vendors for build and technical delivery
  • Define and maintain a harmonized base business R&D application catalog and technical stack architecture. Drive harmonization of engineering tools to reduce fragmentation and duplication while preserving specialized engineering needs.
  • Own the end-to-end technology lifecycle of R&D applications and master data domains, from intake, evaluation and design through sustainment, retirement, and value realization.
  • Drive master data strategy and lifecycle management for critical R&D data domains (definitions, governance, quality, stewardship).
    • Establish and oversee data quality management practices, including data profiling, validation rules, issue remediation workflows, and root cause analysis for recurring data defects.
    • Define and maintain data models, definitions, and reference data standards to support harmonization across R&D systems.
    • Partner with IT and enterprise architecture teams to define and govern data integrations and flows. Ensure integration designs support regulatory requirements, data lineage, and end-to-end traceability for GxP applications.
• Owns the R&D Applications and Master Data base business budget, including planning, forecasting, and spending oversight for applications, platforms, and related vendor services where R&D is the primary business owner. Responsible for the execution of investment prioritization, value realization, and cost optimization decisions made with Business Owner in alignment with approved roadmaps, governance models, and enterprise financial controls. Provide input to Business Owner during portfolio planning process for new programs outside the base business platform. Will work with Business owner to create business cases needed to start new programs and secure budget.
• Lead and grow a team of product managers who partner with R&D business owners to gather business needs, translate them into technical requirements, and prioritize work within team or with IT and/or vendors.
  • Serve as the primary liaison(s) with vendors and internal engineering teams to scope, procure, and deliver solutions; oversee vendor selection and third-party relationships.
  • Partners with IT, cybersecurity and business processes lead to translating business needs into compliant technical solutions.
  • Ensure product delivery using Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban) by coaching product managers and cross-functional Agile teams to deliver iterative value.
  • Partner with Quality and Regulatory to ensure alignment with FDA, ISO 13485, and EU MDR/IVDR expectations for data integrity and system use.
• Develop, communicate and drive roadmaps for R&D application portfolios, technology stack, and capital investments. Align roadmaps with business pipeline, budget and IT strategy. Ensure changes to R&D applications or master data consider downstream impacts to Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Post‑Market systems.
• Own change management, stakeholder readiness, and adoption strategies for data and system transformations. Lead continuous user engagement (feedback loops, user groups, change management) to maximize adoption and value.
• Monitor industry and vendor trends, evaluate emerging technologies, and recommend modernization approaches for R&D processes and systems to Business Owner and IT partners.
• Define metrics and KPI’s success for the team (i.e. adoption, data quality, delivery cadence, cost reduction, tool reduction, downtime) and report progress to Business Owner and senior stakeholders. Monitor key metrics requested by Business Owner specific to individual project/program execution and success.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in product management, application portfolio management, or R&D technology roles, including people leadership.
• Proven ability to lead product teams using Agile practices to translate R&D business needs into delivered, value‑driven technology solutions.
• Demonstrated success harmonizing application portfolios or technical stacks and reducing tool fragmentation at scale.
• Strong background in master data management, including governance frameworks, data quality, and lifecycle stewardship
• Experience operating in regulated R&D environments (e.g., GxP), managing vendors and budgets, and partnering with IT, cybersecurity, and compliance leaders.
• Track record of owning product budgets, investment prioritization, and vendor relationships to deliver measurable business value.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior business and technical leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (STEM, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business); advanced degree preferred.

Desired skills and attributes

• Prior experience in medical technology or life sciences R&D environments.
• Hands-on knowledge of Agile frameworks, product discovery techniques, and modern delivery practices.
• Understanding of analytics platforms, master data tooling, and cloud-based application architecture.
• Strong strategic thinking, with an ability to translate strategy into actionable roadmaps and measurable outcomes.

Change leadership experience, including driving adoption and organizational alignment.

For more information on how we support the whole health of our employees throughout their wellness, career, and life journey, please visit www.careers.jnj.com.