External Manufacturing Project Manager, Pharma

Eliassen Group; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Eliassen Group is seeking an External Manufacturing Project Manager for a Fortune 500 pharma client to lead end-to-end project delivery across technology transfer, process qualification, batch release, and supply chain. The role emphasizes cross-functional and cross-company collaboration to ensure on-time, compliant manufacturing of APIs, intermediates, and starting materials for new facilities.

You will use MS Project, Jira, dashboards and risk logs to monitor progress and drive disciplined

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering or related field with pharmaceutical manufacturing experience.
• Strong project management expertise in pharmaceutical external manufacturing.
• 3–4+ years of experience in manufacturing operations and technology transfer.
• Demonstrated experience in cross-functional and cross-company stakeholder management.
• Strong problem-solving skills with root-cause analysis and corrective-action mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across technical and leadership audiences.
• High adaptability and effectiveness in fast-paced, multi-priority environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee end-to-end project plans for External Manufacturing activities, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and dependencies.
• Proactively manage scope, risks, issues, and decisions using formal change control and governance processes.
• Drive on-time, compliant technology transfer and commercialization of externally manufactured products.
• Establish clear accountability across cross-functional stakeholders and external partners.
• Support and coordinate Internal Process Teams (IPTs) and Joint Process Teams (JPTs).
• Integrate facility’s External Manufacturing project plans with internal client functions and contract manufacturer operational plans.
• Strengthen collaboration across technical, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to support batch release, shipment, and supply continuity.
• Utilize project management tools such as MS Project, Jira, dashboards, scorecards, risk registers, and decision logs to improve visibility and predictability.
• Provide clear, timely project status updates and metrics to technical teams and leadership.
• Maintain collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Yammer).
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and standardization across the facility's External Manufacturing projects.
• Support Lean initiatives and continuous improvement efforts to enhance efficiency and execution discipline.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Project Management–related discipline

Advanced Degree preferred

Tools

MS Project

Jira

SharePoint

Yammer

Job description

Description

Our F500 Pharma client is seeking a strong External Manufacturing Project Manager to provide disciplined, end-to-end project management to ensure the safe, reliable, and compliant delivery of externally manufactured APIs, intermediates, and starting materials for our client’s new manufacturing facility. Programs are expanding as pipeline assets progress from development into clinical and commercial supply, and this Project Manager will play a critical role in leading cross-functional and cross-company project execution across technology transfer, process qualification, batch release, and supply chain activities, enabling on-time commercialization and sustained supply.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and oversee integrated end-to-end project plans for facility’s External Manufacturing activities, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and dependencies.
• Proactively manage scope, risks, issues, and decisions using formal change control and governance processes.
• Drive on-time, compliant technology transfer and commercialization of externally manufactured products.
• Establish clear accountability across cross-functional stakeholders and external partners.
• Support and coordinate Internal Process Teams (IPTs) and Joint Process Teams (JPTs).
• Integrate facility’s External Manufacturing project plans with internal client functions and contract manufacturer operational plans.
• Strengthen collaboration across technical, quality, supply chain, and manufacturing teams to support batch release, shipment, and supply continuity.
• Utilize project management tools such as MS Project, Jira, dashboards, scorecards, risk registers, and decision logs to improve visibility and predictability.
• Provide clear, timely project status updates and metrics to technical teams and leadership.
• Maintain collaboration platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, Yammer).
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and standardization across the facility's External Manufacturing projects.
• Support Lean initiatives and continuous improvement efforts to enhance efficiency and execution discipline.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Science, Engineering, or a Project Management–related discipline with pharmaceutical manufacturing experience. Advanced Degree Preferred.
• Strong Project Management expertise within pharmaceutical external manufacturing environments
• 3–4+ years minimum of experience in manufacturing operations, technology transfer
• Demonstrated experience working in team-based, cross-functional environments. Proven experience managing cross-functional and cross-company stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a root cause analysis and corrective action mindset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across technical and leadership audiences
• High adaptability and effectiveness in fast-paced, multi-priority environments.

Education Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Science, Engineering, or a Project Management–related discipline with pharmaceutical manufacturing experience. Advanced Degree Preferred.