Program Manager

Actalent; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Charlotte, NC is seeking a Program Manager to lead customer programs from concept through commercialization in a regulated medical device environment. You will coordinate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Regulatory, R&D, and Customer Service to deliver complex programs on time and within budget.

This on-site role requires strong communication, collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced CDMO setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Business, Project Management, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Engineering, Operations, or related field; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• 3+ years of program management, project management, customer program management, manufacturing, operations, or related experience within a regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
• Experience within medical device manufacturing, life sciences, interventional products, contract manufacturing, plastics processing, extrusion, injection molding, assembly, or related manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of product launch, manufacturing operations, commercialization, validation, and production transfer processes.
• Experience leading customer-facing projects and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and customer commitments in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or equivalent systems preferred.
• Experience working with ERP systems such as IQMS, Epicor, SAP, Oracle, or similar preferred.
• PMP certification, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer programs through all phases of the product lifecycle including concept, planning, development, validation, commercialization, launch, and transition into production.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, budgets, resource plans, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate and drive cross-functional activities to ensure programs remain on track, within scope, within budget, and aligned to customer expectations.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities within a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Lead project reviews, milestone meetings, action tracking, and escalation discussions to maintain program visibility and accountability.
• Drive urgency, ownership, and execution discipline across all functional teams.
• Monitor critical path activities and proactively identify and remove barriers impacting program success.
• Manage engineering changes, scope adjustments, customer requests, and project documentation throughout the program lifecycle.
• Support successful transfer of products into manufacturing operations through effective launch planning, validation coordination, and operational readiness activities.
• Coordinate manufacturing transfers and multi-site program activities when required, including tooling moves, process transfers, validation activities, documentation transfer, and continuity planning.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Project planning

Risk management

Leadership

Multi-priority management

Smartsheet/Microsoft Project

ERP systems (IQMS/Epicor/SAP/Oracle)

PMP/Lean/Six Sigma (plus)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Smartsheet

Microsoft Project

ERP systems (IQMS, Epicor, SAP, Oracle)

Job description

Position Summary

The Program Manager is responsible for leading customer programs from concept through commercialization within a regulated medical device manufacturing environment focused on life sciences and interventional products. This role serves as the primary liaison between customers and internal cross-functional teams, ensuring programs are executed successfully while meeting customer expectations, quality requirements, delivery timelines, and financial objectives.

The Program Manager is responsible for leading customer programs from concept through commercialization within a regulated medical device manufacturing environment focused on life sciences and interventional products. This role serves as the primary liaison between customers and internal cross-functional teams, ensuring programs are executed successfully while meeting customer expectations, quality requirements, delivery timelines, and financial objectives.

The Program Manager drives collaboration across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Regulatory, R&D, Tooling, and Customer Service to support product development, manufacturing readiness, validation, launch, and transition into production. Programs may involve multiple manufacturing sites, suppliers, and integrated manufacturing technologies working together to support complex medical device solutions.

This role supports a broad range of manufacturing and development capabilities including extrusion, injection molding, dip molding, dip coating, dip blowing, medical device assembly, automation, tooling, secondary operations, and product development activities. The ideal candidate understands how to coordinate cross-functional teams and manufacturing processes to successfully deliver complex medical device programs in a fast-paced CDMO environment.

The successful candidate is a proactive, organized, customer-focused leader with strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and project execution skills who can effectively manage multiple priorities while maintaining momentum and accountability throughout the program lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead customer programs through all phases of the product lifecycle including concept, planning, development, validation, commercialization, launch, and transition into production.


• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, milestones, budgets, resource plans, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.


• Coordinate and drive cross‑functional activities to ensure programs remain on track, within scope, within budget, and aligned to customer expectations.


• Manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities within a dynamic manufacturing environment.


• Lead project reviews, milestone meetings, action tracking, and escalation discussions to maintain program visibility and accountability.


• Drive urgency, ownership, and execution discipline across all functional teams.


• Monitor critical path activities and proactively identify and remove barriers impacting program success.


• Manage engineering changes, scope adjustments, customer requests, and project documentation throughout the program lifecycle.


• Support successful transfer of products into manufacturing operations through effective launch planning, validation coordination, and operational readiness activities.


• Coordinate manufacturing transfers and multi‑site program activities when required, including tooling moves, process transfers, validation activities, documentation transfer, and continuity planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Business, Project Management, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Engineering, Operations, or related field; equivalent experience will also be considered.


• 3+ years of program management, project management, customer program management, manufacturing, operations, or related experience within a regulated manufacturing environment preferred.


• Experience within medical device manufacturing, life sciences, interventional products, contract manufacturing, plastics processing, extrusion, injection molding, assembly, or related manufacturing environments strongly preferred.


• Working knowledge of product launch, manufacturing operations, commercialization, validation, and production transfer processes.


• Experience leading customer‑facing projects and coordinating cross‑functional teams.


• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and relationship management skills.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and customer commitments in a fast‑paced environment.


• Proficiency with project management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, or equivalent systems preferred.


• Experience working with ERP systems such as IQMS, Epicor, SAP, Oracle, or similar preferred.


• PMP certification, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma experience is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Customer‑focused leadership


• Program execution and accountability


• Cross‑functional collaboration


• Executive communication and presentation skills


• Organizational agility and multitasking


• Risk assessment and problem‑solving


• Financial and operational awareness


• Project planning and coordination


• Relationship building and stakeholder management


• Decision‑making and conflict resolution


• Continuous improvement mindset


• Adaptability in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment

Success Measures

• On‑time and on‑budget program execution


• Successful product launch and commercialization


• Customer satisfaction, retention, and partnership growth


• Effective risk management and issue resolution


• Strong cross‑functional team alignment and accountability


• Achievement of operational and financial targets


• Regulatory and quality compliance


• Clear communication and program visibility across stakeholders

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Charlotte, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $72.11/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision


• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital


• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available


• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)


• Short and long‑term disability


• Health Spending Account (HSA)


• Transportation benefits


• Employee Assistance Program


• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.