Program Manager

Merck & Co.; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies Texas is seeking a Program Manager to drive planning and delivery of complex programs from contract signature to deployment. You will mentor under the Head of Program Management and collaborate with QA, PD, Manufacturing and Sales to ensure milestones are achieved.

The role requires strong governance, risk management and communication with clients, site leadership, and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Master's or higher degree in a relevant field with industry experience preferred.
• Strong leadership across cross-functional teams in biotechnology/pharma projects.
• Proven capability to plan, track, and deliver complex programs under contract.
• Advanced MS Office proficiency and data-driven decision making.
• Robust problem solving, risk assessment, and communication skills.
• Excellent ability to manage timelines, resources, and stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and high-quality documentation.
• Knowledge of cGMP and quality systems is essential.

Responsibilities

• Onboard new customer programs and transition to primary liaison for planning and execution.
• Lead program planning and execution aligned with program management best practices.
• Oversee day-to-day program activities to ensure on-time completion and milestones.
• Identify risks and mitigations, keep client and site informed.
• Lead Stage Gate reviews and communicate risk to leadership.
• Develop and maintain Master Program Plan with revenue milestones.
• Collaborate with Sales to identify additional opportunities within contracts.
• Coordinate with QC/QA/PD/Manufacturing to deliver compliant, cost-efficient processes.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Project planning

Microsoft Office

Problem solving

Communication

Time management

Attention to detail

CGMP knowledge

Education

Master's degree in Business / Engineering / Microbiology / Chemistry or related field

Bachelor's degree in Business / Engineering / Microbiology / Chemistry or related field

Associate's degree with several years of experience

High school diploma with eight years of experience

Tools

Quality systems

cGMP guidelines

Process improvement tools

Job description

Position Overview

The Program Manager, with mentoring and support from the Head of Program Management and/or Associate Program Director or Program Director, will be responsible for the planning and delivery of programs from the point of contract signature (Scope of Work/Letter of Intent/Contract) to program delivery including technology transfer and taking a product/process from execution of a CSA/MSA through process development and early stage clinical supply through program closure. The Program Manager role is a lead role that ensures the organization provides services in alignment with contractual commitments to the clients and the Company's vision/mission (strategy and compliance).

Company Overview

The work we do at FUJIFILM Biotechnologies Texas has never been more important-and we are looking for passionate, mission-driven people like you who want to make a real difference in people's lives.

From developing the next vaccine to advancing cell and gene therapies, we collaborate with industry leaders to tackle complex challenges and deliver meaningful solutions.

If you're ready to help transform the future of medicine, join FUJIFILM Biotechnologies. We offer a flexible work environment and we're proud to cultivate a culture that will fuel your passion, energy, and drive-what we call Genki.

Our state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facility is located in in College Station, Texas, which combines a small-town feel with vibrant culture, top-notch schools, and close proximity to big city life. Nestled between major hubs, it's a dynamic location that blends convenience with innovation.

Fujifilm is globally headquartered in Tokyo with over 70,000 employees across four key business segments of healthcare, electronics, business innovation, and imaging. We are guided and united by our Group Purpose of "giving our world more smiles." Visit: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/about/region/careers

Job Description

Essential Functions

• On board new customer programs with the Sales Team to transition to become the primary liaison for program planning and execution upon confirmation that a Verbal Win/Letter of Intent has been reached.
• Lead the planning and execution of programs in alignment with the FLBT Program Management business best practice (vision, mission, SWOT/SIPOC, strategy-goals-objectives).
• Oversee the general day-to-day execution of Program activities and planning to ensure on-time completion of Program tasks and deliverables as scheduled.
• Identify program delivery risks and mitigations and ensure the program team, the site leadership team, and the customer are appropriately informed.
• Lead the Program team in Stage Gate reviews as part of the program life cycle to communicate program readiness and risk profile to the site leadership team.
• Attend and lead daily Tier meetings to support FLBT's communication structure for escalations and feedback in program risk items.
• Serve as the lead with the functional areas to ensure the SOW elements are accurate, complete, and organized based on revenue generating segments of work.
• Ensure financial activities and program milestones are aligned (SOW, revenue recognition milestones, change orders, invoicing/payment activities, etc.).
• Ensure all Contract elements (CSA-MSA, Quality Agreement, Price and Payment Schedule, SOW) are completed with support from Head of Program Management.
• Develop and maintain the Master Program Plan (MPP) including ensuring durations and accountabilities for all revenue generating milestones are accurate through the scope of the program (contract sign, PD US/DS, AD, Tech Transfer, Clinical-Commercial Manufacturing, QA, QC, Release, Transfer in and Transfer out).
• Collaborate with the Sales Team to identify additional opportunities for additional work within the current contract.
• Partner with functional teams (QC, QA, PD, Manufacturing, etc.) to ensure that MPP revenue generating milestones are accurately translated into functional deliverables and all action items are completed per the committed timeline.
• Work closely with Process Development, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Control and Quality Assurance to reduce time to clinic or market, improve ease of manufacturing, and reduce costs when compared with existing platform products while achieving and maintaining full compliance (cGMP, Safety and Environmental).
• Accurately define timelines and resource requirements for the assigned Programs.
• Maintain Program documentation (change orders, Program reports, timelines, etc.).
• Manage and lead Program team meetings, including issuance of agenda, action items, meeting minutes, client communications, etc.
• Communicate Program updates to the Leadership Team at predefined milestones and at defined intervals.
• Organize and conduct Program team and Joint Steering team meetings with external clients including agenda, meeting notes, action items, and follow-up of action items.
• Track and report program performance (financial, delivery metrics and analysis, monthly reports, quarterly and annual leadership reviews, revenue change log, etc.); ensure accurate and timely completion of financial transactions (revenue adjustments/ recognition, change orders, invoicing, pass through) and maintain a change log capturing all financial activity per program.
• Responsible for authoring Scopes of Work, Change Orders, Cost Models, and Confidentiality Agreements. Responsible for approving Program purchase orders. Responsible for forecasting revenue and reviewing/approving monthly customer invoices.
• Continuous improvement of existing systems as well as implementation of new program management systems, including training of employees to ensure FLBT maintains best practices in the industry.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail with strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Computer proficiency required, including strong experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills and the ability to identify, assess, and resolve business problems, issues, risks, and facilitate issue resolution and risk mitigation.
• Ability to accurately complete required documentation.
• Good written and oral communication skills and the ability to effectively interact with all levels of the organization.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task and self-manage activities.
• Demonstrated effective resource and Program planning/decision making.
• Demonstrated experience with problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Accountable for all aspects of Program Team's data support, entry, and ongoing data accuracy reporting.
• Knowledgeable in Quality systems, tools for process improvement and cGMP guidelines.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required:

• Experience prolonged sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping and stretching.
• Use hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator, and other office equipment is required.
• Attendance is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree preferably in Business, Engineering, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with two (2) years of experience in a fast-paced environment, preferably in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, laboratory, healthcare or related industry; OR,
• Bachelor's Degree preferably in Business, Engineering, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with four (4) years of experience in a fast-paced environment, preferably in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, laboratory, healthcare or related industry; OR,
• Associate's Degree with six (6) years of experience in a fast-paced environment, preferably in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, laboratory, healthcare or related industry; OR,
• Highschool Diploma or GED with eight (8) years of experience in a fast-paced environment, preferably in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, laboratory, healthcare or related industry.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience leading cross functional teams in support of organizational programs and/or direct project/program management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant project management experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical development and manufacturing environment managing one or more projects of medium to high complexity.
• Degree in Business, Engineering, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field.
• Certifications in Project/Risk Management or Lean Six Sigma.
• MBA or Master's degree.
• Experience in a cGMP facility or working with FDA regulations.
• Previous Accounting/Finance/Budgeting experience.

EEO Information

Fujifilm is committed to providing equal opportunities in hiring, promotion and advancement, compensation, benefits, and training regardless of nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, political creed, ideology, national, or social origin, disability, veteran status, etc.

ADA Information

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our HR Department ([e-mail] or [phone]).