Project Manager Manufacturing

Körber Pharma Packaging AG; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Körber seeks a Project Manager, Manufacturing Site Launch, to lead the end-to-end launch of a new Mexico facility that serves as a feeder for the DFW site. You will own the integrated launch plan from readiness through production ramp-up and ensure scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, and supply chain readiness.

You will collaborate with leaders across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, IT/ERP, EHS, and external partners to drive decisions, remove roadblocks, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
• 5+ years leading manufacturing launches or operations-focused projects.
• Experience with cross-border manufacturing operations (US/Mexico) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Mexico facility launch from concept to operational handoff.
• Drive facility readiness including layout, utilities, safety systems and permits.
• Oversee equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, validation and ramp-up.
• Ensure staffing, training, quality systems, audits, and safety programs readiness.
• Develop supplier qualification and localization strategies; PPAP/FAI activities.

Skills

Manufacturing launches

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Supply chain

Budget management

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

SAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

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The Project Manager, Manufacturing Site Launch leads end-to-end execution of launching a new manufacturing facility in Mexico that will operate as a feeder factory for the DFW manufacturing site. This role owns the integrated launch plan from facility readiness through production ramp-up, ensuring scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, and supply chain readiness are achieved. Working with leadership across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, IT/ERP, EHS, and external partners, the Project Manager drives decisions, removes roadblocks, manages launch risks, and establishes governance to deliver a stable, repeatable operation. The role ensures effective interface management between Mexico and DFW (materials flow, production scheduling, quality standards, and logistics) and supports handoff into steady-state operations.

Your Role in Our Team

• Lead the end-to-end Mexico facility launch, managing scope, schedule, budget, risks, governance, and executive stakeholder communication from concept through operational handoff
• Drive facility and infrastructure readiness, including layout, utilities, safety systems, permits, contractor management, and site preparation for production startup
• Oversee equipment and manufacturing process readiness, including procurement coordination, installation, commissioning, validation, capacity attainment, and production ramp-up
• Partner with HR, Operations, Quality, and EHS to ensure organizational readiness through staffing, training, certifications, quality systems, compliance, audits, risk assessments, and safety programs
• Establish supplier readiness and localization strategies, including supplier qualification, sourcing transitions, PPAP/FAI activities, and inbound material availability
• Develop and implement the operating model between the Mexico facility and DFW, including material flow, inventory replenishment, production planning, transfer-of-work, engineering change control, and continuous improvement processes
• Ensure logistics and systems readiness through cross-border shipping processes, customs compliance, ERP/SAP implementation, master data governance, reporting, and shop-floor controls
• Manage launch performance, financials, and risk mitigation by tracking KPIs, CapEx/Opex budgets, pilot builds, readiness gates, corrective actions, and stakeholder alignment to achieve stable production and DFW supply continuity

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Project Management, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience leading manufacturing launches, facility startups, industrialization projects, or operations-focused project management initiatives
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, industrial engineering, production systems, facility readiness, equipment commissioning, and production ramp-up
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, suppliers, and external partners while managing competing priorities and aggressive project timelines
• Experience developing and executing launch governance frameworks, including readiness gates, KPIs, risk management, and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Working knowledge of quality systems, supplier qualification, and industrialization processes, including PFMEA, control plans, inspections, audits, and CAPA
• Understanding of supply chain operations, ERP systems (SAP preferred), master data management, and cross-border logistics between the U.S. and Mexico
• Bilingual English/Spanish required, with experience supporting Mexico manufacturing operations and the ability to work across cultures, time zones
• Travel up to 50% throughout North America to support manufacturing site launch activities, project implementation, and operational readiness.

Eligible applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

We value diversity and therefore welcome all applicants - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity, and any other protected status. You can find out more about our culture here Culture at Körber - it's worth taking a look!

We are committed to providing an accessible working environment. Applications from people with a recognized disability under German law, including people with severe disabilities or equivalent status, are expressly welcome. We would appreciate it if you could voluntarily indicate this directly in your CV or cover letter so that we can support you as effectively as possible throughout the process. You can find out more about the work of our representative body for people with severe disabilities here. They are happy to answer any confidential questions you may have in advance.

If you have any questions or technical problems, please send us an e-mail to [e-mail] .

Körber is a global technology company for intelligent manufacturing and supply chain solutions. As a reliable innovation partner, Körber turns entrepreneurial thinking into customer success by providing leading technology to fuel what’s next – from end-to-end pharma production and advanced supply chain solutions to high-tech machinery and process equipment. Körber combines deep domain expertise with integrated hardware, software, and digital services, to help customers take the next step.

The Business Area Supply Chainis part of Körber, a global technology company for intelligent manufacturing and supply chains solutions.