Project Controls Lead

Novo Nordisk A/S; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Paid holidays 14

Health insurance

401K with company match

Parental leave 14 weeks

Life & Disability Insurance

Tuition Assistance

Employee referrals

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in Clayton, NC seeks a Project Controls lead to monitor time and cost drivers, plan and manage controls across the expansion program, and drive governance with the PMO. You’ll coach team members, coordinate internal and external staff, and ensure adherence to business and regulatory requirements.

The role emphasizes strong communication, risk management, and ability to manage large CAPEX projects within a global pharma environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required.
• Associate’s degree plus 7+ years manufacturing/engineering experience considered.
• GED with 9+ years manufacturing/engineering experience considered.
• Minimum 5 years of project experience required.
• Minimum 5 years in manufacturing/engineering for pharma or regulated industry.
• Knowledge of parenteral drug production systems preferred.
• Experience managing contractors and complex organizations.
• Large CAPEX project experience, PMI governance is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Experience revising work plans for complex cross-functional problems.

Responsibilities

• Build foundations for operational project controls across all disciplines.
• Anticipate complex project control issues affecting schedule and cost.
• Establish metrics to monitor performance and flag risks.
• Engage leadership to report progress and address concerns.
• Explain complex processes clearly to leadership levels.
• Organize complex scopes into manageable tasks.
• Coordinate with global PMO counterparts and internal/external staff.
• Represent project controls in audits and reviews.
• Drive continuous improvements in project execution controls.
• Follow safety and environmental requirements; other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Associate’s degree in engineering

High School Diploma (GED)

Job description

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At Novo Nordisk, we want to make a difference. For more than 100 years, we have led the way in diabetes care. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

In NC, we operate three pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities that are responsible for fulfilling different steps in our injectable and oral treatment supply chains. Our Product Supply Aseptic Manufacturing (PS AM) facility in Clayton, NC is a 457,000 square foot aseptic "fill and finish" site that is responsible for producing innovative, injectable diabetes and obesity treatments. At PS AM, you’ll join a global network of manufacturing professionals who are passionate about what they do.

What we offer you:

• Leading pay and annual performance bonus for all positions
• All employees enjoy generous paid time off including 14 paid holidays
• Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance – effective day one
• Guaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus individual company match option
• Family Focused Benefits including 14weeks paid parental & 6 weeks paid family medical leave
• Free access to Novo Nordisk-marketed pharmaceutical products
• Tuition Assistance
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Employee Referral Awards

At Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources, and mentorship to help grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential? Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters.

The Position

Measure and monitor controlling variables primarily impacting project time and cost such as: Planning/Scheduling, Risk Management, Cost Estimating & Management, Scope/Change Management, Earned Value Management, Document Control, Supplier Performance, Managing Baselines, Reporting, Information Management and Program Governance.

Lead activities within the Project Controls Department in support of the successful project and program outcomes of the Novo Nordisk portfolio to meet and/or exceed business, regulatory and customer requirements in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way. This includes providing direction, coaching, indirect day-to-day leadership of team members inclusive of internal and external staff.

Relationships

Reports to Manager.

Essential Functions

• Build the foundations for operational project controls supporting all control disciplines within the expansion program
• Anticipate complex internal and external project control issues with impact on the organization
• Establish within the specific discipline metrics to monitor project performance that will give visibility to potential problems that could lead to schedule slippage or cost overruns
• Engage project leadership to update/report on progress, actions and address concerns which may be through local steering group reporting
• Explain complex processes or challenges effectively. Focusing on critical thinking and problem solving to provide a framework for an acceptable resolution through various levels of leadership
• Capable of organizing complex scopes of work into manageable tasks for yourself and those within the discipline area
• Liaison with global PMO counterparts within the discipline area, representing Site’s efforts and local requirements
• Represent project controls in project audits and reviews for specific discipline area
• Drive and continuously improve procedures and controls within the project execution process
• Continuously monitor the effectiveness of project controls processes for the discipline, ask for constructive feedback and improve the processes with meaningful change
• Exemplify detail-oriented behaviours, following process and procedures where applicable
• Follow all safety and environmental requirements in the performance of duties
• Other accountabilities, as assigned

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in an open office environment with the possibility of frequent distraction. Ability to travel up to 10% of the time (% can change on a case-by-case basis based on the role)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field of study from an accredited university required
  • May consider an Associate’s degree in engineering or related field of study from an accredited university with 7 (seven) years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, or quality, preferably in a pharmaceutical or other regulated industry required
  • May consider a High School Diploma (GED) with 9 (nine) years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, or quality, preferably in a pharmaceutical or other regulated industry required
• Minimum of five (5) years of project experience required
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, or quality, preferably in a pharmaceutical or other regulated industry required
• Knowledgeable in systems within pharmaceutical industries to include parenteral drug production preferred
• Knowledgeable in the effective management required when working in complex organizations and in managing contractors to achieve project goals required
• Knowledge of large CAPEX projects with focus on PMI/Novo Nordisk project management governance a plus
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Revising the work plan for complex problems solved by cross functional teams preferred

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.