Senior Program Manager / Wheeler Bio

Plainsvc; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Plainsvc is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead complex biologics development and manufacturing projects within a CDMO environment. You will own planning, delivery against contracted commitments, and coordination with clients, regulatory teams, and cross-functional groups.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years leading people and 5+ years in project/program management in regulated pharma/biotech or aerospace settings, with strong communication and strategic thinking to drive results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or related field; advanced degree and/or PMP certification is a plus.
• 3+ years in people leadership and 5+ years in project/program management in regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology or aerospace environments.
• Knowledge of biologics processes, cGMP manufacturing, supply chain, and regulatory requirements; Lean and process improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead process development and/or GMP manufacturing projects with end-to-end oversight, managing all phases to meet timelines, budget, quality and regulatory standards.
• Establish and maintain strong client relationships with proactive engagement and clear communication throughout the project cycle.
• Coordinate with process development, manufacturing, QA, regulatory, supply chain and vendors to align project deliverables and finances.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Lean/process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or Engineering

PMP certification

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

Description

Important: This role requires hands‑on project leadership experience in regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or aerospace environments, including direct oversight of manufacturing or technical operations. Candidates without this background will not be considered.

Position Overview

Seeking a driven and resourceful Senior Program Manager to lead complex multi-phase biologics development and manufacturing projects within a CDMO environment. As part of the Commercial team, this position is accountable for the planning and successful delivery of projects in alignment with contracted commitment to clients, regulatory requirements, and Wheeler’s revenue goals. Acting as the primary point of contact for clients, the Senior Program Manager will manage timelines, budgets, resources, and cross‑functional project teams. This role requires a strategic mindset with exceptional organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Execution: Lead process development and/or GMP manufacturing projects with end‑to‑end oversight, managing all project phases to ensure adherence to timelines, budget, quality, and regulatory standards. Develop and maintain Project Plans to manage critical path activities and drive on‑time delivery of revenue generating milestones. Effectively handle changes by evaluating and managing change orders, assessing their impact, and ensuring proper documentation, approval, and stakeholder communication.

Client Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with clients through proactive engagement and clear, concise communication throughout project cycle.

Cross‑functional Collaboration: Work closely with process development, manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory, supply chain, and third‑party vendors to coordinate resources and ensure alignment on project deliverables. Partner with the Finance Team to ensure accurate and timely completion of financial transactions.

Risk Management: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate project risks to ensure project continuity. Develop contingency plans and address potential roadblocks to project success.

Performance Reporting: Generate regular project status reports and documentation to provide stakeholders with visibility into project progress, variances, challenges, and successes.

Continuous Improvement: Identify areas for process improvement and contribute to the development of best practices to enhance organizational efficiency and project outcomes.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degree and/or PMP certification is a plus.

Experience: 3+ years in people leadership and 5+ years in project/program management in regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology or aerospace environments. Experience in Technical Operations in both product‑based and service‑based settings is highly desirable.

Technical Know‑How: Keen understanding of biologics processes, cGMP manufacturing, supply chain, and regulatory requirements. Expertise in Lean and other process improvement methodologies, with a proven track record of delivering measurable results is a plus.

Ideal Candidate

• Proficient in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet) for effective timeline and resource management.
• Master communicator, with ability to navigate stakeholder conflicts and negotiate for best outcomes.
• Critical thinker; able to apply analytical techniques to solve for array of project challenges.
• Solid decision‑maker; adopts data‑informed approach in guiding Teams methodically to better outcomes.
• Adaptable; able to thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and pivot quickly when faced with changing business priorities and tight deadlines.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development, with a growth mindset and a passion for excellence.