Program Manager - Pharmaceutical Technical Operations

ttg Talent Solutions, Inc.; New Jersey; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ttg Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced Program Manager, Technical Operations to lead complex operational and transformational initiatives for an established pharmaceutical organization.

This is a highly visible, hands‑on leadership position requiring extensive pharmaceutical industry experience and a strong background in program management, capital projects, New Product Introduction, product launches, change management, and cross‑functional execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or sciences.
• Strong pharmaceutical industry background required.
• Experience managing capital expenditure projects and budgets.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional programs end-to-end.
• Excellent communication with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex Technical Operations programs and transformational initiatives.
• Manage projects from planning through implementation and completion.
• Adhere to governance, templates, and budgets.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across multiple sites and functions.
• Provide executive updates and risk summaries.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology

Advanced scientific, technical, or management education

Significant pharmaceutical industry experience

Experience leading pharmaceutical projects or programs

Capital Expenditure projects and budgets

New Product Introduction/Launch/Technology transfer

Cross-functional leadership

Executive stakeholder management/presentation

Tools

Microsoft 365

Project management tools

GP management tools

AI-enabled productivity tools

Job description

Program Manager - Pharmaceutical Technical Operations

Program Manager – Pharmaceutical Technical Operations
Location: Central New Jersey
Type of Work: On-site
Schedule: Monday through Friday, business hours
Type of Contract:Direct Hire
Description
ttg Talent Solutions is seeking an experienced Program Manager, Technical Operations to lead complex operational and transformational initiatives for an established pharmaceutical organization. This is a highly visible, hands‑on leadership position requiring extensive pharmaceutical industry experience and a strong background in program management, capital projects, New Product Introduction, product launches, change management, and cross‑functional execution. The selected candidate will be responsible for driving strategic Technical Operations programs from planning through implementation. This individual will work directly with senior Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and business leaders to obtain critical information, establish accountability, resolve obstacles, and ensure projects continue progressing according to established timelines, budgets, and organizational standards. This is not a traditional Project Management position centered primarily on scheduling meetings, preparing status reports, or maintaining project trackers. The successful candidate must be capable of personally managing the details of the work, pursuing information proactively, coordinating stakeholders, solving problems, and driving execution without relying on a large supporting team. The ideal candidate is a confident and credible pharmaceutical professional who can move effectively between manufacturing operations, technical project details, cross‑functional discussions, employee training, and executive‑level presentations.
Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead complex Technical Operations programs and transformational initiatives within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Manage projects from initial planning and scope definition through implementation, execution, monitoring, and completion.
• Ensure projects are executed according to established operational principles, project‑management processes, templates, tools, and governance requirements.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project plans, timelines, milestones, budgets, risk assessments, action items, and stakeholder commitments.
• Lead or support Capital Expenditure projects, including project planning, budget management, resource coordination, risk mitigation, and progress reporting.
• Lead or support New Product Introduction, New Product Launch, scale‑up, commercialization, and technology‑transfer initiatives.
• Coordinate activities across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Validation, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Finance, Research and Development, and other Technical Operations functions.
• Work directly with cross‑functional leaders to obtain required information, clarify ownership, resolve open issues, and maintain project momentum.
• Identify project risks, delays, resource constraints, and operational challenges before they affect major milestones.
• Develop corrective action plans and develop critical concerns with clear recommendations.
• Influence stakeholders and secure cooperation from individuals who do not report directly to the position.
• Prepare and deliver project updates, recommendations, risk summaries, and executive presentations to senior Operations and Quality leadership.
• Support the implementation of new operational tools, processes, standards, and ways of working across the organization.
• Explain the purpose and business benefits of organizational changes to employees and stakeholders.
• Develop or support training activities related to new processes, tools, systems, and project‑management practices.
• Drive employee engagement, adoption, and accountability during organizational or operational transformation.
• Promote consistency in project execution across different departments, sites, and geographic locations.
• Partner with domestic and international colleagues to maintain alignment on shared project‑management and Technical Operations standards.
• Use Microsoft 365 applications and other available digital tools to support planning, communication, collaboration, reporting, and productivity.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, urgency, accuracy, confidentiality, and follow‑through.
• Perform hands‑on project‑management activities without depending on a large team or extensive administrative support.
• Complete additional Technical Operations and transformation‑related responsibilities based on changing organizational priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, or another relevant scientific or technical discipline.
• Advanced scientific, technical, or management education is strongly preferred.
• Significant professional experience within the pharmaceutical industry is required.
• Experience may come from branded pharmaceuticals, generic pharmaceuticals, a Contract Manufacturing Organization, or a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization.
• Strong experience leading pharmaceutical projects or programs within Manufacturing, Technical Operations, Engineering, Product Development, MS&T, Operational Excellence, or a related function.
• Demonstrated experience managing Capital Expenditure projects and project budgets.
• Direct experience with New Product Introduction, product launches, commercialization, scale‑up, or technology transfer.
• Experience leading cross‑functional projects involving multiple technical and business functions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects personally from planning through execution rather than relying primarily on delegation.
• Experience implementing new tools, systems, processes, or operational standards.
• Experience supporting employee training, organizational adoption, or change‑management initiatives.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and generate alignment without direct reporting authority.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to explain complex technical and operational information clearly to different audiences.
• Ability to provide detailed and credible examples of personal project contributions, challenges, decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools.
• Familiarity with AI‑enabled productivity tools is preferred.
• Ability to work fully on‑site Monday through Friday.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally when required.
• Availability to begin within a reasonable notice period is strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise‑wide or site‑level transformation programs.
• Background in Technical Operations, Manufacturing Science and Technology, Operational Excellence, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Development, or Manufacturing Operations.
• Experience working across multiple pharmaceutical manufacturing sites or international operations.
• Formal Project Management training or certification.
• Experience managing senior executive stakeholders or presenting to steering committees.
• Experience developing and delivering employee training.
• Background in organizational development or structured change‑management methodologies.
• Experience implementing standardized project‑management frameworks, templates, and governance tools.
• Demonstrated success leading challenging projects in lean environments with limited administrative support.

ttg Talent Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer and recruiting agency. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. Please note that all offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a drug test and background check. We maintain a drug- and substance-free workplace to ensure the safety and well‑being of all employees.
At ttg, "We believe in making a difference One Person at a Time," ttg OPT.