Program Manager, Instruments Manufacturing

Waters Corporation; Milford (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Corporation in Milford, MA is seeking an Operations Program Manager to lead high-priority, cross-functional programs across global manufacturing. You will drive operational excellence, cost optimization, and supply chain resilience while partnering with site leaders, quality, procurement, and R&D to achieve business goals.

The role includes developing PM methodologies, governance, and training, and requires strong experience in complex manufacturing environments with a focus on compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Operations Management, or related technical discipline required.
• MBA or advanced technical/business degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in program management, operations, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading large, complex cross-functional programs in a manufacturing environment.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management certification preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end programs across supplier transfers, manufacturing transfers, NPI, DFM, and scale-up.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, and stakeholder alignment.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial teams.
• Develop standardized PM methodologies, governance, templates, training, and coaching.
• Ensure programs deliver business outcomes with compliance and operational continuity.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Operations Management, or related technical discipline

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Overview

The Operations Program Manager is responsible for leading the successful execution of high-priority, complex, cross-functional operations programs across the Analytical Sciences Division's global manufacturing network. This role serves as the central orchestrator for strategic initiatives that drive operational excellence, manufacturing performance, supply chain resiliency, cost optimization, and business growth.

Responsibilities

The Operations Program Manager leads end-to-end program delivery across initiatives including supplier transfers, manufacturing transfers, new product introductions (NPI), design for manufacturability (DFM), design-to-value (DTV) improvements, manufacturing scale-up, supply chain optimization, and operational excellence programs. The position is accountable for delivering program objectives by effectively managing scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, and stakeholder alignment.

Working closely with Manufacturing Site Leaders, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, Research & Development, and Commercial teams, this individual ensures programs achieve intended business outcomes while maintaining compliance, quality, and operational continuity.

In addition to program execution responsibilities, the Operations Program Manager serves as a Project Management Subject Matter Expert (SME), championing project management excellence through the development of standardized methodologies, governance frameworks, templates, training, coaching, and continuous improvement of project management capabilities across the organization.

This position reports to the Senior Director, Program & Project Management - Instruments Manufacturing and is based in Milford, MA with a hybrid workplace arrangement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical discipline required.
• MBA or advanced technical/business degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in program management, operations, manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading large, complex, cross-functional programs in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success managing programs involving product transfers, supplier transitions, operational excellence, NPI, or manufacturing scale-up.
• Experience in regulated industries preferred.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management certification preferred.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

Company Description

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.